Movie
Where to Watch Show Boat (1951) in the US
- 1951
- Approved
- 1h 48m
- 6.8IMDb
- 81%Rotten Tomatoes
Show Boat is available with a subscription, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States.
Subscription
Free with a library card
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Availability last checked Oct 9, 2026.
Report a wrong listingAvailability
- Watch the movie with a subscription on TCM (HD).
- Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Public Domain Movies.
- Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
What it's about
The "Cotton Blossom", owned by the Hawk family, is the show boat everyone goes to for great musical entertainment down south. Julie LaVerne and her husband are the stars of the show. After a someone tells the local police that Julie (who's half- African-American) is married to a white man, they are forced to leave the show boat because interracial marriages are forbidden. Magnolia Hawk, Captain Andy Hawks' daughter, becomes the new show boat attraction, and her leading man is Gaylord Ravenal, a gambler. The two instantly fall in love, and marry without Parthy Hawks approval. Magnolia and Gaylord leave the "Cotton Blossom" for a whirl-wind honeymoon. Soon after, Magnolia realizes that gambling means more to Gaylord than anything else. Magnolia confronts Gaylord, and after he gambles away their fortune he leaves her, not knowing she is pregnant. Magnolia, penniless and pregnant, and is left to fend for herself, and make a new start.
Cast and crew
- Director
- George Sidney
- Starring
- Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel
Details
- Release date
- Sep 24, 1951
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Awards
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. 4 wins & 4 nominations total
Where to Watch Show Boat (1951) in the US — common questions
- Where to watch Show Boat in the United States?
- Show Boat is available with a subscription, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on TCM (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Public Domain Movies. Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I stream Show Boat or do I have to rent it in the United States?
- Watch the movie with a subscription on TCM (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
- Can I watch Show Boat for free in the United States?
- Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Public Domain Movies.
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