The Bad Seed
1956, English. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
Talk all you want about the man and the woman -- but please don't tell about the girl!
Air Force Colonel Kenneth Penmark and his wife, Christine, adore their daughter Rhoda, despite her secret tendency for selfishness. Christine keeps her knowledge of her daughter's darker side to herself, but when a schoolmate of Rhoda's dies mysteriously, her self-deception unravels.
- Runtime
- 2h 9m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
Start now and it ends at ….
Worth the Hype
Clear your evening for this.
7.1/10 from 282 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch The Bad Seed
The Bad Seed isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can watch it free or rent it or buy it online.
Free
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Fandango At HomeAvailability in India as of 10 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Part of a series
The Bad Seed -: watch order
Cast & crew
- Mervyn LeRoyDirector
- Patty McCormackRhoda Penmark
- Nancy KellyChristine Penmark
- Henry JonesLeroy Jessup
- Eileen HeckartHortense Daigle
- Evelyn VardenMonica Breedlove
- William HopperCol. Kenneth Penmark
- Paul FixRichard Bravo
- Jesse WhiteEmory Wages
- Gage ClarkeReginald "Reggie" Tasker
- Joan CroydonClaudia Fern
- Frank CadyHenry Daigle
- Frances BavierWoman at Dinner Party (uncredited)
Details
- Released
- 12 September 1956
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- John Lee Mahin
- Budget
- $1M
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What The Bad Seed is based on
The Bad Seed is based on The Bad Seed (1954) by William March, published by Rinehart & Company and The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson.
1954
The Bad Seed
By William March
Published by Rinehart & Company
The Bad Seed
By Maxwell Anderson
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
After The Bad Seed
What comes next in the series.
If you liked The Bad Seed
Bad Ronald
1974 · 6.3/10
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The Reckless Moment
1949 · 6.8/10
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The Truth About Emanuel
2013 · 6.0/10
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Race with the Devil
1975 · 6.4/10
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Seeds of Yesterday
2015 · 6.4/10
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Children of the Damned
1964 · 6.1/10
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1963 · 6.2/10
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1939 · 6.9/10
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2019 · 6.5/10
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I Confess
1953 · 7.1/10
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The Bad Seed: quick answers
What comes after The Bad Seed?
Next in the series: The Bad Seed (2018) and The Bad Seed Returns (2022).
Is The Bad Seed worth watching?
Our verdict is Worth the Hype: Clear your evening for this. It scores 7.1/10 from 282 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Bad Seed?
The Bad Seed runs 129 minutes (2h 9m).
Does The Bad Seed have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Bad Seed. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Bad Seed parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Bad Seed is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Bad Seed on?
The Bad Seed isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can watch it free or rent it or buy it online. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Bad Seed?
If you liked The Bad Seed, try Bad Ronald, The Reckless Moment, The Truth About Emanuel.
Who directed The Bad Seed?
The Bad Seed (1956) was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and stars Patty McCormack, Nancy Kelly, Henry Jones.
What is The Bad Seed based on?
The Bad Seed is based on The Bad Seed (1954) by William March, published by Rinehart & Company and The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson.