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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Network
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Sidney Lumet. With Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch.
7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
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7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTWhen veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broa…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Network.
MoviHero lists November 27, 1976 as the release date for Network. Sidney Lumet is the listed director. The listed cast includes Faye Dunaway as Diana Christensen, William Holden as Max Schumacher, Peter Finch as Howard Beale, Robert Duvall as Frank Hackett. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateNovember 27, 1976
GenresDrama
Runtime2h 2m
DirectorSidney Lumet
CastFaye Dunaway as Diana Christensen, William Holden as Max Schumacher, Peter Finch as Howard Beale, Robert Duvall as Frank Hackett
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Network right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Network runs 2h 2m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 4/10: a more patient pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Network. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterOctopus Skin2026 · 1h 39m
23 minutes shorter (1h 39m). Shared genre: drama.
But less emotionally intensePrima Facie2026 · 1h 49mEstimated emotional impact: 5/10 versus 7/10. Shared genre: drama.
But less demandingDream Girl2026 · 12mEstimated attention required: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: drama.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.8/10 from 2,171 votes. Updated Nov 12, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
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OPTION 2
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing4/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence5/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Network
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Network broadcasts its televisional corruption through satirical poetry that beckons democratic madness.”
Viewer reaction
“Peter Finch is superb here as the increasingly puritanical television news anchor ("Beale") who, having been told he was about to be fired decided on…”
Viewer reaction
“The UPS network is a television network that suffers from a lack of viewership.”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“Few Hollywood productions have been as utterly prescient as director Sidney Lumet’s cinematic masterpiece “Network” (1976), a chillingly serious satire about the television business in…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“I'm sorry I'm late.”
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“I'm gonna blow my brains out right on the air, right in the middle of the seven o'clock news.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
PART OF A WATCH JOURNEY
Where Network fits.
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.5/10
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2026·Drama