The Godfather (1972): cast, story, release date and box office
The Godfather (1972) is a landmark gangster film that redefined the genre with its powerful storytelling and iconic characters.
By Entertainment Desk· 3 min read
The Godfather (1972) is a landmark gangster film that redefined the genre with its powerful storytelling and iconic characters.
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Facts updated October 9, 2026. Figures can change as a film keeps earning.
Key points
The Godfather (1972) is an epic gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on Mario Puzo's novel. It is a crime drama and a foundational work in the gangster film genre, released in the United States on March 15, 1972. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and Alfran Productions, with music composed by Nino Rota.
Set in the mid-1940s, the story follows Michael Corleone, a World War II veteran and youngest son of Don Vito Corleone, who is initially reluctant to engage in his family's criminal enterprise. Michael introduces his family to his girlfriend, Kay Adams, at his sister Connie's wedding, where he shares stories about his family but makes it clear he does not want to be involved in their business.
At the wedding, Vito Corleone, the family's head, grants favors to visitors, including Johnny Fontane, a singer who is blocked from a film role by studio owner Jack Woltz. Vito sends his lawyer, Tom Hagen, to persuade Woltz to give Fontane the role. The next morning, Woltz discovers the head of his valuable $600,000 racehorse Khartoum lying in his bed after refusing a request. Woltz relents, and Fontane gets the role.
As Christmas approaches, Michael becomes involved in a family crisis when Vito is attacked by two men. Vito had refused to protect drug baron Virgil 'The Turk' Sollozzo, who has ties to the Tattaglia family. Luca Brasi, an enforcer for Corleone, is murdered by the Tattaglia family after trying to infiltrate Sollozzo's operation. Vito survives the attack and recovers at a hospital. Sonny Corleone, Vito's eldest son, takes over as acting boss. Michael is moved to live at the family home for protection.
Michael visits his father in the hospital and learns that NYPD Captain McCluskey has removed Vito's bodyguards, allowing a second assassination attempt. Michael moves his father to a different room and stands guard outside the hospital. He scares off the assassins, but McCluskey returns and breaks Michael's jaw for defying him. Tom Hagen arrives with new bodyguards, and McCluskey backs down.
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The film was released in five theaters in New York on March 15, 1972, with a premiere at Loews' State Theatre in New York City on March 14. It opened in Toronto on March 17 and in Los Angeles on March 22. The film reached 316 theaters five days after its initial release.
The film had already made $15 million from advance rentals in over 400 nationwide theaters before its premiere. Its opening day gross from five theaters was $57,829. Ticket prices increased from $3 to $3.50 in New York, and rose to $4 during the weekend. Toronto earned $61,615 and New York $240,780 during the weekend, totaling $302,395 in opening revenue. In its debut week, the film earned $454,000 in New York and $115,000 in Toronto, totaling $568,800—enough to place it atop the U.S. box office. box office for the week. During the initial five days of nationwide showing, the film collected $6.8 million, reaching a cumulative total of $7,397,164. A week later, its gross reached $17,291,705.
The film's budget was $7 million. Its worldwide gross was $270 million as of the data available. The film broke box office records in 1972 and became the highest-grossing film of that year.
The film was developed from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel, which Paramount Pictures acquired for $80,000. Coppola co-wrote the screenplay with Puzo. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and Xfinity Streampix.
The Godfather is listed for streaming on Netflix and Apple TV. Availability changes and differs by country, so check the service before you subscribe. The film box at the top of this guide links to every streaming, rental and purchase option.
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