Is American Graffiti on Netflix| How to watch American Graffiti (1973) on Netflix in 2023?

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American Graffiti Netflix

American Graffiti is a nostalgic joyride that gloriously captures the golden days of youth in 1962. The film follows a group of friends on their last night of summer vacation as they cruise the streets of Modesto, California, listening to music, talking about girls, and dreaming about their futures.

This blog will discuss everything related to the movie and answer questions like where and how to watch American Graffiti on Netflix, so read till the end.

Is American Graffiti on Netflix?

American Graffiti is available on Netflix but only in the United States. If you reside in the United Kingdom or Canada, then you won’t find it in your Netflix library, and that is due to copyright issues.

However, you can watch American Graffiti on Netflix from anywhere with a reliable VPN, and this blog is all about it.

How to watch American Graffiti on Netflix in 2023?

American Graffiti is available on Netflix but not internationally. Get ExpressVPN to change your IP address and watch American Graffiti in other countries.

Here is the step you need to follow.

1- Get ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix (12+3 month special deal with a 30day money-back guarantee)

2- Download the VPN app on your preferred device (ExpressVPN works on Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows)

3- Select an American IP address from the country list

4- Now open Netflix.com on your browser or in the app

5- Search for American Graffiti on Netflix

6- Enjoy the movie

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American Graffiti Netflix Countries

American Graffiti is a film that will be relatable and enjoyable for anyone who has ever been a teenager. This fascinated the viewers, making them curious about where to watch it online.

Our team of experts has checked several Netflix libraries and found the movie in the American Netflix library only. But all hope is not lost because you can easily watch the movie with a reliable VPN from the comfort of your home.

American Graffiti release date

American Graffiti was initially released in theaters in the United States on August 1, 1973, and earned a worldwide revenue of $140 million.

With an IMDb rating of 7.4, the movie got nominated for several awards, including Academy Awards and Golden Globes awards.

If you like watching movies and TV shows, watch Pretty Little Liars, Rudy, Reborn Rich, Hachi, Brigton, and Tenet on Netflix.

American Graffiti Trailer

American Graffiti |What to Expect

It’s the summer of 1962 in Modesto, California. On the last night before leaving for college, recent high school grads Curt Henderson, Steve Bolander, John Milner, and Terry Fields find themselves cruising the streets contemplating their futures.

Summer Lovin’ Gone Wrong

Steve is dating blonde bombshell Laurie but begins questioning their relationship as he prepares to depart. Curt spots a mysterious blonde woman driving a white T-Bird and becomes infatuated, losing interest in staying loyal to his steady girlfriend.

Terry Risks It All to Gain Respect

Meanwhile, Terry tries to prove his worth by attempting to win a knife fight against a local gang. Nerdy Terry gives into peer pressure to gain their respect before leaving town.

One Crazy Night

As the teens experience their last night of adolescent freedom, Curt seeks out the blonde woman against the wishes of Steve and Laurie. A series of misadventures unfold while the radio plays classic rock n’ roll tunes.

Goodbye Youth

By the end of the evening, Curt decides to stay in town to continue dating the blonde woman. Steve comes to terms with leaving Laurie behind for college. Terry gains confidence after kissing a girl he likes.

Freedom Before Life’s Unknown Road

Each of the boys reaches a coming-of-age realization about who they want to be as they embark on the future beyond the confines of their small hometown. The film concludes wistfully with Curt watching the white T-Bird drive off into the distance.

The Cast of American Graffiti

American Graffiti became a sleeper hit in 1973 thanks to its nostalgia for youth in the 1960s. Let’s take a look at the prominent cast members of the movie:

  • Richard Dreyfuss stars as Curt Henderson, the philosophical teen torn between staying or leaving town. Dreyfuss went on to acclaimed roles in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Mr. Holland’s Opus.
  • Ron Howard plays Steve Bolander, Curt’s best friend and Laurie’s boyfriend headed to college. Howard later became an Oscar-winning director with films like A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13.
  • Cindy Williams acts as Laurie Henderson, Steve’s girlfriend, who is uncertain about their future. Williams became known as Shirley in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley opposite Penny Marshall.
  • Paul Le Mat portrays John Milner, the local hot rod king giving Terry an adventure-filled night. Le Mat also starred in The Burning Bed and appeared on NYPD Blue.
  • Charles Martin Smith joins as Terry Fields, the nerdy tag-along trying to prove his worth. Smith later acted in The Untouchables, Speechless, and Deep Impact.

Can I Watch American Graffiti with a Free VPN?

While free VPN services may seem appealing, experts warn against using them due to major security and functionality limitations compared to paid options. Free VPNs lack the robust encryption of premium services, leaving personal data vulnerable to hackers. They also impose strict data caps, like 500MB monthly from TunnelBear, which is insufficient for most online activities.

For reliable security, unlimited access, and peace of mind, experts recommend reasonably priced paid VPNs such as ExpressVPN. The small fee provides military-grade encryption and unlimited data so users can browse and stream freely while protecting their information. We watched Season 5 of All American on Netflix with ExpressVPN.

In summary, paid VPNs deliver essential privacy protections and unrestricted internet access that unreliable, limited free versions cannot match. Investing a few dollars monthly in a reputable premium VPN is a prudent choice to secure your data and access the internet without restrictions fully. The benefits of paid VPNs outweigh the minor costs.

Why is ExpressVPN the best to watch American Graffiti on Netflix?

Our ongoing tests found ExpressVPN delivers incredibly fast connectivity, with download speeds up to 91Mbps and upload speeds up to 84Mbps, even on a typical 100Mbps network. This enables smooth, uninterrupted access to restricted content and buffer-free Netflix streaming of popular shows like The Matrix anywhere. Their powerful servers provide easy access to different Netflix libraries worldwide.

A single ExpressVPN account permits use on up to 5 devices simultaneously, making sharing connections with family and friends straightforward. ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and more. Their Lightway protocol guarantees fast speeds with robust encryption, allowing unconstrained browsing and seamless streaming.

ExpressVPN provides a 15-month subscription discounted by 49% to just $6.67/month, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. Their 24/7 customer support gives prompt assistance when needed. With its unrivaled speed, discounted pricing, and stellar service, ExpressVPN is a fantastic global choice for private, hassle-free internet access.

What else can you watch on Netflix?

Netflix has some of the best movies and TV shows. This is Us was released on Netflix in Canadian regions. Below are some of the famous movies and TV shows:

American Graffiti| FAQs

The best and tested way to watch American Graffiti online is on Netflix. A Netflix subscription is available for $ 6.99 with ads or $15.49/m without ads.

The movie is also streaming on Tubi TV in the United States for free. In Canada, American Graffiti is only available on Hollywood Suite.

American Graffiti is not streaming on any VOD or OTT service in Australia and the UK.

The movie American Graffiti sparked a feeling of nostalgia in pop culture, with other 70s films and TV shows soon tapping into nostalgia as a theme. But American Graffiti was not just a sad reflection on the past. George Lucas skillfully created a story that connected with audiences in its era but also has a timeless, universal appeal.

Richard Dreyfuss was 26 years old back then at the filming of American Graffiti.

Harrison Ford was 31 years of age then at the filming of American Graffiti.

American Graffiti is not streaming on Hulu or Disney Plus in the United States. Although you can watch it on Netflix.

American Graffiti was developed with a heavy budget of $777000 which includes everything from marketing to distribution. The movie was a hit and collected $140 million globally.

Esteemed New York Times critic Vincent Canby astutely observed that American Graffiti was crafted with such comedic accuracy and efficient storytelling that it was likely to face inflated acclaim, making the actual viewing experience somewhat underwhelming.

Variety's A.D Murphy praised the film's vivid evocation of adolescent perspectives and morals, accomplished through the exceptional performances of a talented cast of hitherto unknown actors. Charles Champlin, also of The New York Times, declared American Graffiti a masterfully executed film of profound emotional impact.

American Graffiti was filmed primarily on location in Petaluma, California in the summer of 1972. Additional filming was done in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Some key filming locations included:

  • Downtown Petaluma along Petaluma Blvd - Used for scenes taking place on the main strip of the fictional town of Modesto.
  • The Phoenix Theater in Petaluma - Used for the opening scene with Curt outside the movie theater.
  • Petaluma High School - Used for exterior shots of the school.
  • Mel's Drive-In in San Francisco - Used for the famous drive-in restaurant scenes.
  • Mount Tamalpais State Park - Used for Paradise Road scenes overlooking the city.
  • Golden Gate Bridge - Featured in driving scenes entering San Francisco.
  • Los Angeles International Airport - Used for an establishing shot for Curt's flight to college.

So while set in Modesto, the director George Lucas chose to film primarily in Petaluma for its small town ambience and architecture that evoked 1950s small town America. The Northern California locations gave the film its nostalgic, summer night cruising feel.

Wrap Up

American Graffiti is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a great coming-of-age film. It’s a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it.

We tested ExpressVPN to watch American Graffiti on Netflix, and it worked perfectly. Therefore, we highly recommend it to all our readers and subscribers.

Written by Jessica Lynch

With over a decade in entertainment writing, Jessica Lynch expertly navigates film, TV, and streaming content. Her insightful writing tips and guides are loved by industry peers and audiences.