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MTDb › Best of › 1956 › The Man Who Knew Too Much

The Man Who Knew Too Much poster

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

“A little knowledge can be a deadly thing!”

7.4/10 · 1,608 votes 2h 1m pg ThrillerDramaMystery

#8 of 11 films from 1956 #316 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · Written by Charles Bennett, John Michael Hayes, D.B. Wyndham-Lewis, Angus MacPhail

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

An American doctor and his wife, a former singing star, witness a murder while vacationing in Morocco, and are drawn into a twisting plot of international intrigue when their young son is kidnapped.

Cast

James Stewartas Ben McKenna
Doris Dayas Jo McKenna
Brenda De Banzieas Lucy Drayton
Bernard Milesas Edward Drayton
Ralph Trumanas Buchanan
Daniel Gélinas Louis Bernard
Mogens Wiethas Ambassador
Alan Mowbrayas Val Parnell
Hillary Brookeas Jan Peterson
Christopher Olsenas Hank McKenna
Reggie Nalderas Rien
Richard Wattisas Assistant Manager
Noel Willmanas Woburn
Alix Taltonas Helen Parnell

Facts

Release dateMay 16, 1956
Runtime121 min (2h 1m) — about the same as the 1956 average of 122 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Mystery
LanguageEN
Budget$1,200,000
Box office$11,300,000 (9.4× budget)
IMDbtt0049470

More from Alfred Hitchcock

PsychoPsycho1960 · ★ 8.4 · 1h 49m Rear WindowRear Window1954 · ★ 8.3 · 1h 53m VertigoVertigo1958 · ★ 8.1 · 2h 8m Dial M for MurderDial M for Murder1954 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 45m North by NorthwestNorth by Northwest1959 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 17m RopeRope1948 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 21m RebeccaRebecca1940 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 10m NotoriousNotorious1946 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 43m

If you liked The Man Who Knew Too Much

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

High and LowHigh and Low1963 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 22m Rear WindowRear Window1954 · ★ 8.3 · 1h 53m DiaboliqueDiabolique1955 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 58m Touch of EvilTouch of Evil1958 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 51m In a Lonely PlaceIn a Lonely Place1950 · ★ 7.6 · 1h 33m MarnieMarnie1964 · ★ 7.1 · 2h 10m PsychoPsycho1960 · ★ 8.4 · 1h 49m Witness for the ProsecutionWitness for the Prosecution1957 · ★ 8.2 · 1h 56m

Questions

How long is The Man Who Knew Too Much?
The Man Who Knew Too Much runs 121 minutes (2h 1m).
Is The Man Who Knew Too Much worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.4/10 across 1,608 votes, which places it #8 of 11 films released in 1956 in this index (top 36%) and #316 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Man Who Knew Too Much?
The Man Who Knew Too Much was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Psycho (1960), Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958).
Who stars in The Man Who Knew Too Much?
James Stewart as Ben McKenna; Doris Day as Jo McKenna; Brenda De Banzie as Lucy Drayton; Bernard Miles as Edward Drayton; Ralph Truman as Buchanan; Daniel Gélin as Louis Bernard.
What is The Man Who Knew Too Much rated?
It carries a pg certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Man Who Knew Too Much?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/61550.

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Best of 1956Best thrillerThriller of the 1950sBest dramaDrama of the 1950sBest mysteryMystery of the 1950sAll lists
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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.