The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Heartbeat Story of Circus People, Filmed with the Cooperation of Ringling Bros. - Barnum and Bailey Circus!

1952•2h 32m•6.3/10

DramaRomance

Ratings

🎬TMDb

6.3/10(265)

To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.

Open in PickFlick

Production

Paramount Pictures

Language

EN

Status

Released

Release Date

Trailers & Videos

Cast

Betty Hutton

Betty Hutton

Holly

Cornel Wilde

Cornel Wilde

The Great Sebastian

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston

Brad Braden

Dorothy Lamour

Dorothy Lamour

Phyllis

Gloria Grahame

Gloria Grahame

Angel

James Stewart

James Stewart

Buttons

Henry Wilcoxon

Henry Wilcoxon

FBI Agent Gregory

Lyle Bettger

Lyle Bettger

Klaus

Lawrence Tierney

Lawrence Tierney

Mr. Henderson

Emmett Kelly

Emmett Kelly

Himself

Cucciola

Cucciola

Robert Carson

The Ringmaster

John Kellogg

John Kellogg

Harry

Julia Faye

Julia Faye

Birdie

Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

John Ringling North

John Ringling North

Himself

Lou Jacobs

Himself (clown)

Brad Jackson

Reporter at RIngside

Frank Wilcox

Frank Wilcox

Doctor

Lillian Albertson

Lillian Albertson

Buttons' mother

Recommended

From Here to Eternity

From Here to Eternity

In 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his captain's wife and second in command are falling in love.

From Here to Eternity

1953

7.3

Missing

Missing

Based on the real-life experiences of Ed Horman. A conservative American businessman travels to Chile to investigate the sudden disappearance of his son after a military takeover. Accompanied by his son's wife he uncovers a trail of cover-ups that implicate the US State department which supports the dictatorship.

Missing

1982

7.2

A Scene at the Sea

A Scene at the Sea

A deaf garbage collector happens upon a broken and discarded surfboard. The discovery plants in him dreams of becoming a surf champion. Encouraged by his also deaf girlfriend, he persists against all odds.

A Scene at the Sea

1991

7.4

Hamlet

Hamlet

Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired—both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself—as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists.

Hamlet

1948

7.4

Bend of the River

Bend of the River

Two men with questionable pasts, Glyn McLyntock and his friend Cole, lead a wagon-train load of homesteaders from Missouri to the Oregon territory...

Bend of the River

1952

7.0

Viva Zapata!

Viva Zapata!

The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of president Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.

Viva Zapata!

1952

6.9

The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's

Father O'Malley is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.

The Bells of St. Mary's

1945

6.8

The Caddy

The Caddy

Although the son of a skilled golfer and an outstanding player in his own right, Harvey Miller is too nervous to play in front of a gallery, so he acts as coach and caddy for Joe Anthony, his girlfriend's brother.

The Caddy

1953

6.4

Boxing Helena

Boxing Helena

A top surgeon is besotted with a beautiful woman who once rebuffed him. Unable to come to terms with life without her, he tries to convince her that they need each other. She has other ideas, but a horrific accident leaves her at his mercy.

Boxing Helena

1993

5.0

Annie Get Your Gun

Annie Get Your Gun

Gunslinger Annie Oakley romances fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler as they travel with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

Annie Get Your Gun

1950

6.7

People on Sunday

People on Sunday

A semi-documentary experimental 1930 German silent film created by amateurs with a small budget. With authentic scenes of the metropolis city of Berlin, it's the first film from the later famous screenwriters/directors Billy Wilder and Fred Zinnemann.

People on Sunday

1930

7.2

The African Queen

The African Queen

At the start of the First World War, in the middle of Africa’s nowhere, a gin soaked riverboat captain is persuaded by a strong-willed missionary to go down river and face-off a German warship.

The African Queen

1952

7.4

Similar Movies

Gladiator

Gladiator

After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.

Gladiator

2000

8.2

American Beauty

American Beauty

Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.

American Beauty

1999

8.0

Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

Million Dollar Baby

2004

8.0

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.

Forrest Gump

1994

8.5

Will Penny

Will Penny

Will Penny, an aging cowpoke, takes a job on a ranch which requires him to ride the line of the property looking for trespassers or, worse, squatters. He finds that his cabin in the high mountains has been appropriated by a woman whose guide to Oregon has deserted her and her son. Too ashamed to kick mother and child out just as the bitter winter of the mountains sets in, he agrees to share the cabin until the spring thaw. But it isn't just the snow that slowly thaws; the lonely man and woman soon forget their mutual hostility and start developing a deep love for one another.

Will Penny

1967

6.6

Chicago

Chicago

Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

Chicago

2002

7.1

Rope

Rope

Two young men attempt to prove they committed the perfect murder by hosting a dinner party for the family of a classmate they just strangled to death.

Rope

1948

7.9

Crash

Crash

In post-Sept. 11 Los Angeles, tensions erupt when the lives of a Brentwood housewife, her district attorney husband, a Persian shopkeeper, two cops, a pair of carjackers and a Korean couple converge during a 36-hour period.

Crash

2005

7.2

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451

In the future, the government maintains control of public opinion by outlawing literature and maintaining a group of enforcers, known as “firemen,” to perform the necessary book burnings. Fireman Montag begins to question the morality of his vocation…

Fahrenheit 451

1966

7.1

West Side Story

West Side Story

In Manhattan’s Upper West Side, rival gangs of Polish-Americans and newly arrived Puerto Ricans clash for control of the neighborhood, even as two young members from opposite sides fall dangerously in love.

West Side Story

1961

7.2

Two Brothers

Two Brothers

Two tigers are separated as cubs and taken into captivity, only to be reunited years later as enemies by an explorer (Pearce) who inadvertently forces them to fight each other.

Two Brothers

2004

7.1

Shakespeare in Love

Shakespeare in Love

Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Shakespeare in Love

1998

6.8