Madden Movie Release Date: When Nicolas Cage's John Madden Biopic Hits Prime Video (and Theaters)

Madden streams on Prime Video worldwide Nov 18, 2026 after a limited US theater run Nov 11. Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale, runtime, story and how to watch.

Lov Singh2 November 20269 min read0 viewsPrime & Video
Madden Movie Release Date: When Nicolas Cage's John Madden Biopic Hits Prime Video (and Theaters)

Madden, David O. Russell's film starring Nicolas Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Raiders owner Al Davis, streams on Prime Video worldwide from Wednesday, November 18, 2026, included with Prime. Before that it gets a short, limited run in select US theaters from November 11, according to Wikipedia and entertainment press. It isn't a wide cinema release.

So unless you live near one of the few US theaters showing it, Prime Video on November 18 is how you'll see it. Here's the timeline, the cast, what the film covers, how fans reacted to the trailer, and what we still don't know.

When does Madden come out?

There are two dates, and they're easy to mix up.

Date What happens Who can watch Source
November 11, 2026 Limited theatrical run Select US theaters only Wikipedia; Netflix Junkie citing TheWrap; Variety called it an "awards-qualifying theatrical release"
November 18, 2026 Global streaming premiere Prime Video members worldwide Amazon

Amazon's own article only mentions the streaming date: "Madden will be available to stream globally starting November 18 on Prime Video." The theatrical run isn't on Amazon's page.

Variety (August 7, 2026) reported that Amazon MGM planned an "awards-qualifying theatrical release earlier in November" and said the film wouldn't play nationwide. Wikipedia and Netflix Junkie, which cites TheWrap, put that limited run on November 11. One outlet, Awful Announcing, wrote in September that the film was "skipping movie theaters." We think that refers to skipping a wide release. If you want to see it in a cinema, check local US listings closer to the date, because Amazon hasn't published a theater list.

Release date history: Wikipedia says the film was previously scheduled for November 26, 2026. It moved up a week to November 18.

What time does Madden come out on Prime Video?

Amazon hasn't stated an hour. It's a global release, so the local time will vary by country. Add it to your Watchlist and check the title page on November 17 for a countdown in your region.

Who is in the Madden cast?

Actor Role Source
Nicolas Cage John Madden, Raiders coach turned broadcaster Amazon
Christian Bale Al Davis, Raiders owner Amazon
Kathryn Hahn Virginia Madden, John's wife Amazon
John Mulaney Trip Hawkins, founder of EA Sports / Electronic Arts Amazon
Sienna Miller Carol Davis, Al's wife Amazon
Joel Murray Pat Summerall Wikipedia
Shane Gillis Role not announced Amazon (named, role unstated)
Miles Burris Phil Villapiano Wikipedia

Behind the camera: David O. Russell directs and wrote the script, "following an earlier version by Cambron Clark," according to Amazon. Producers include Todd Black (Escape Artists), Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch. Wikipedia lists Robert Richardson as cinematographer and a 110-minute runtime. Amazon MGM Studios distributes the film.

Casting history (Wikipedia): Will Ferrell was in early talks to play Madden in 2023. Cage was cast in August 2024, Bale was announced as Al Davis in April 2025, and filming began in Atlanta on April 24, 2025.

What is Madden about?

Amazon's synopsis: "Madden chronicles John Madden's incredible journey alongside best friend and true original Al Davis." The film covers their Super Bowl-winning partnership with the Raiders, Madden's rise as a broadcaster, and the creation of the Madden NFL video game.

If you're younger and know "Madden" mainly as a video game, here's the real-life timeline the film draws on, taken from Madden's Wikipedia biography:

Year Real event
1969 Madden becomes Oakland Raiders head coach, hired by Al Davis
Jan 9, 1977 Raiders win Super Bowl XI, 32–14 over the Minnesota Vikings
1978 Madden retires from coaching with a 103–32–7 regular-season record
1979 Starts broadcasting at CBS
1981 Begins his long partnership with Pat Summerall
1988 Electronic Arts releases John Madden Football, the start of the Madden NFL series
1994–2009 Calls games for Fox, then ABC and NBC
2006 Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dec 28, 2021 Madden dies, aged 85

How much of that the movie covers, and how faithfully, we'll only know on November 18. Amazon's description suggests it runs from the Raiders years to the EA game. The trailer's focus on the Madden–Davis friendship suggests that relationship is the core of the film.

What are fans saying about the Madden trailer?

Reactions to the September trailer were split, mostly over Cage's look and voice.

  • Hello! Magazine (September 24, 2026) collected fan comments on both sides. Positive: "Nic Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis. That's awesome," and "Every football fan who worshiped Madden will see this movie." Negative: "Sorry but he just looks like nicolas cage in a fat suit and it just sounds like himself doing a bad impression" and "This looks so unserious." The one that best sums it up: "Either gonna be great or awful, either way I'm excited to watch." The article didn't say which platforms the comments came from.
  • Awful Announcing's Sean Keeley wrote that the trailer plays like a comedy, singled out Bale's Al Davis as the strongest reason to watch, and questioned whether Cage's voice and mannerisms capture Madden. He also noted that many people on X had raised concerns about the film's realism.

Context worth knowing: Wikipedia reports that in May 2025 some cast and crew members allegedly walked off set after Russell allegedly used a racial slur. Those are allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and cited on Wikipedia, and we're not aware of any finding on them. Variety also noted that Russell's previous film, Amsterdam (2022), made $31 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. Some of the scepticism about Madden is really about Russell's recent record, not just the trailer.

Is Madden worth watching?

Full reviews weren't out when we published (November 2), so we can't point to a critical consensus or a Rotten Tomatoes score. Here's a simple way to decide in the meantime:

If you… Then…
Grew up with Madden on CBS/Fox or with the video game Probably watch. It's free with Prime and about 110 minutes.
Are a Raiders fan or into 1970s NFL history The Madden–Davis relationship is the main story, so it's aimed at you.
Like Nicolas Cage at his most unrestrained The trailer suggests a big, comic performance.
Want a strict, documentary-accurate biopic Wait for reviews. Trailer reactions suggest a lighter, more comic tone.
Only have Prime in a market where it's not yet listed Amazon says the release is global. Check your Prime Video app on November 18.

How to watch Madden

  1. Get Prime Video access. Madden is included with Prime. Amazon lists US Prime at $14.99 a month or $139 a year, with a 30-day free trial for eligible new members. Prices vary by country.
  2. Open Prime Video on your TV, streaming device, console, phone or at primevideo.com.
  3. Search "Madden" and add the 2026 film to your Watchlist (not the video game, and not Richard Madden titles).
  4. Watch from November 18. In many countries, Prime Video plays limited ads by default unless you've added the paid ad-free option.

Editor's take

Madden is Amazon's November awards bet for film, and the release plan shows it. A limited, qualifying theatrical week, then a global stream seven days later, gets the film into awards contention without paying for a wide cinema rollout. That's the same tactic we've seen from other streamers, and it keeps the film where Prime members already are.

The film also slots neatly into Amazon's own football calendar. It lands in the middle of the Thursday Night Football season on Prime Video, the week before US Thanksgiving. Whether Cage's performance works is the open question. The trailer split viewers almost exactly in half, and the most honest answer is the fan who said it'll be "great or awful." Either way, a lot of people will press play.

If you're planning your month, Madden sits between The Greatest on November 4, The Rings of Power Season 3 on November 11 and Blade Runner 2099 on November 25. The full list is in our new on Prime Video November 2026 guide.

FAQ

When does the Madden movie come out?

It streams worldwide on Prime Video from November 18, 2026. A limited run in select US theaters begins November 11.

Is the Madden movie in theaters?

Only briefly and in limited form. Per Wikipedia and entertainment press, it opens in select US theaters on November 11 as an awards-qualifying run, not a nationwide release. Amazon hasn't published a theater list.

Is Madden on Netflix?

No. It's an Amazon MGM Studios film, and Amazon says it streams on Prime Video.

Who plays John Madden in the Madden movie?

Nicolas Cage. Christian Bale plays Al Davis.

Who does Shane Gillis play in Madden?

Amazon lists Gillis in the cast but hasn't said who he plays, and we haven't found a reliable source that does.

How long is the Madden movie?

110 minutes, according to Wikipedia, which cites Amazon MGM Studios' press page.

Is Madden free with Prime?

Yes. It's included with Prime Video, with no rental or purchase needed.

Is Madden based on a true story?

Yes. It's a dramatised biopic about John Madden's Raiders years, his friendship with Al Davis and the creation of the Madden NFL game.

Sources

Featured image: Christian Bale as Al Davis (left) and Nicolas Cage as John Madden (right) in Madden, official Prime Video still via Amazon. Source

#prime video#christian bale#madden movie#john madden#nicolas cage#david o russell#amazon mgm studios
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