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Drama

Network (1976): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Network (1976) movie poster

Network is a 1976 drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring William Holden, Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $23.7 million worldwide on a $3.8 million budget. It won 4 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Actress in a Leading Role, and 9 awards in all. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.

IMDb rating
8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$23.7M
Oscars won
4
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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary
Network (1976) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Sidney Lumet
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Budget
$3.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Network About?

The premise of Network without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This film offers a sharp critique of the television industry's relentless pursuit of higher ratings. Howard Beale, a news anchor facing disillusionment, publicly announces his intention to commit suicide on air. Instead of stopping him, the network decides to capitalize on the situation, recognizing the potential for increased viewership. Beale embraces the chaos, delivering increasingly outrageous and provocative broadcasts that resonate with a public feeling ignored and disenfranchised. His unconventional approach unexpectedly transforms him into an unlikely symbol of rebellion and a voice for the masses.

Network Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • media
  • television
  • television network
  • tv news
  • media manipulation
  • journalism
  • television producer
  • prophet
  • monologue
  • social commentary
  • assassination
  • murder
+38 more
  • famous line
  • corporate politics
  • divorcee
  • national film registry
  • media satire
  • sex scene
  • fictional news show
  • satire comedy
  • news anchor
  • narration
  • suicidal
  • anecdote
  • vulgarity
  • communism
  • manhattan new york city
  • corporate executive
  • rifle
  • rant
  • television studio
  • drunkenness
  • bar
  • machiavellianism
  • multinational corporation
  • workaholic
  • mental breakdown
  • fictional tv network
  • fired from a job
  • cynicism
  • california
  • new york city
  • extramarital affair
  • fainting
  • breakup
  • banquet
  • screening room
  • racial slur
  • restaurant
  • marriage
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Cast & crew

Network Cast

William Holden leads the cast, with Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch. Directed by Sidney Lumet.

From the director

More from Sidney Lumet

More films directed by Sidney Lumet, best-rated first: 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico and The Hill.

Full filmography
Ratings

Network Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Network 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.

Plot

Network Plot Summary

What happens in Network from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In September 1975, longtime anchor Howard Beale of the UBS Evening News receives the crushing news from his friend and news division president, Max Schumacher, that he has only two more weeks left on the air due to plunging ratings that have been in decline since 1969. His Home Use Television (HUT) ratings have dropped from 16 to 8, with his audience share plummeting from 28 to 12.

That very night, Beale creates a shocking announcement to his audience, declaring his intention to commit suicide during the next Tuesday’s newscast. Despite UBS’s desperate attempts to fire him immediately, Schumacher steps in to ensure Beale receives a dignified farewell, all while grappling with his own mounting pressures within a news division facing an annual deficit of $33 million.

Full summary

The whole story of Network, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Network Box Office & Budget

Network grossed $23.7 million worldwide on a $3.8 million budget, 6.2 times what it cost. $23.7 million came from the US and Canada and $9,851 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1976 box office

Worldwide gross

$23.7M

6.2× its budget

US & Canada
$23.7M
International
$9.9K
Budget
$3.8M
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Network Awards & Nominations

Network won 4 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Actress in a Leading Role, and 9 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1977, with 4 wins from 10 nominations.

9 wins25 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Network Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 3 clips and 8 featurettes.

All 14 videos
Network - Trailer
  • Trailer Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Teaser CBS Movie promo Network 1980
  • Clip Beale is Dragged Off Air
  • Clip Peter Finch Is Mad as Hell
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Network?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Howard Beale?
Cars

Cars in Network

11 cars on screen, including the 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the 1964 GMC 1500.

All 11 cars
  • 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 in Network 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role
  • 1964 GMC 1500 in Network 1964 GMC 1500 Minor role
  • 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 in Network 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Background role
  • Chevrolet Impala Wagon in Network Chevrolet Impala Wagon Background role
Details

Network Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “荧光屏后” and “Poder que mata”.

Also known as
  • 荧光屏后
  • Poder que mata
  • Network - Main basse sur la TV
  • To diktyo
  • Mreža
  • Reshet Shidur
  • Network, main basse sur la télévision
  • 네트워크
  • Quinto potere
  • Rede de Intrigas
  • Network, un mundo implacable
  • Escândalo na TV
+16 more
  • Телесеть
  • Network : Main basse sur la télévision
  • 电视台风云
  • Şebeke
  • Hálózat
  • Rețeaua
  • רשת שידור
  • Το Δίκτυο
  • Sieć
  • Televizní společnost
  • Телевизионна мрежа
  • Телемережа
  • 螢光幕後
  • ネットワーク
  • Kasvot kuvaruudussa
  • شبکه

Seen Network?
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Movies Like Network

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Network, Prime Time and The Pyramid.

From the blog

Articles About Network

3 articles about Network. The latest: “Exploring the World of Film Satires”.

FAQ

Network FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Network, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Network?

Network runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Network released?

Network was released on November 14, 1976.

Who directed Network?

Network was directed by Sidney Lumet.

More films by Sidney Lumet

Who is in the cast of Network?

Network stars William Holden, Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch.

How much did Network make at the box office?

Network grossed $23.7 million worldwide ($23.7 million domestic, $9,851 international) on a budget of $3.8 million.

How is Network rated?

Network has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

What awards did Network win?

Network won 9 awards from 25 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1978.

Does Network have a post-credit scene?

No. Network has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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