The original film The Godfather was released in 1972, with its main U.S. theatrical release on March 24, 1972.

Key release dates

  • World premiere in New York City: March 14, 1972.
  • Early New York theatrical openings (select theaters): March 15, 1972.
  • Los Angeles openings: March 22, 1972.
  • Wide United States release: March 24, 1972.

Quick context

  • The film is a 1972 American crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo’s novel.
  • It went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1972 and, for a time, the highest-grossing film ever made.

Many film sites and databases list the general “release date” of The Godfather simply as March 1972, often specifically March 24 for the wide release.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.