The Bad Seed poster
Where to stream

The Bad Seed

7.119562h 9mNRMovieThrillerDramaHorror

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.

DirectorMervyn LeRoy
WriterJohn Lee Mahin
ProducerMervyn LeRoy

Where to watch

TCMTCMKanopyKanopy
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Mervyn LeRoy

PMPatty McCormack
Patty McCormack
Rhoda Penmark
NKNancy Kelly
Nancy Kelly
Christine Penmark
HJHenry Jones
Henry Jones
Leroy Jessup
EHEileen Heckart
Eileen Heckart
Hortense Daigle
EVEvelyn Varden
Evelyn Varden
Monica Breedlove
WHWilliam Hopper
William Hopper
Col. Kenneth Penmark
PFPaul Fix
Paul Fix
Richard Bravo
JWJesse White
Jesse White
Emory Wages
GCGage Clarke
Gage Clarke
Reginald "Reggie" Tasker
JCJoan Croydon
Joan Croydon
Claudia Fern
FCFrank Cady
Frank Cady
Henry Daigle
FBFrances Bavier
Frances Bavier
Woman at Dinner Party (uncredited)

More from Patty McCormack · Lead actress

Grey's Anatomy
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2005 · 8.2
Criminal Minds
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Supernatural
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Hawaii Five-0
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2010 · 7.7
Desperate Housewives
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2004 · 7.9
The Sopranos
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1999 · 8.7
Dallas
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1978 · 6.9
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
1984 · 7.5
The Love Boat
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1977 · 6.3
ER
ER
1994 · 7.8
See all fromPatty McCormack

More from Nancy Kelly · Co-star actress

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1962 · 7.9
Studio One
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1948 · 5.4
Climax!
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1954 · 3.8
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1962 · 6.7
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1975 · 6.8
Jesse James
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1939 · 6.5
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More from Mervyn LeRoy · Director

Quo Vadis
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1951 · 7.1
Little Women
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1949 · 7.4
Waterloo Bridge
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1940 · 7.5
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
1944 · 6.7
Little Caesar
Little Caesar
1931 · 6.9
Mister Roberts
Mister Roberts
1955 · 7.0
Desire Me
Desire Me
1947 · 6.5
Gypsy
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1962 · 6.3
Without Reservations
Without Reservations
1946 · 6.3
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
1932 · 7.8
See all fromMervyn LeRoy

More like this

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1975 · 6.4
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1964 · 6.1

The Bad Seed — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Bad Seed?

The Bad Seed is streaming on TCM and Kanopy in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Bad Seed on Netflix?

No, The Bad Seed is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026. It's currently on TCM and Kanopy.

Is The Bad Seed on Amazon Prime Video?

The Bad Seed isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The Bad Seed for free?

The Bad Seed is available to stream free (with ads) on Kanopy in United States.

Is there a sequel to The Bad Seed?

Yes — The Bad Seed is followed by The Bad Seed (2018) in the Bad Seed - Collection.

Is there a prequel to The Bad Seed?

The Bad Seed is the first film in the Bad Seed - Collection.

Is The Bad Seed part of a trilogy?

Yes — The Bad Seed is part of a trilogy, alongside The Bad Seed (2018) and The Bad Seed Returns (2022).

How many movies are in the Bad Seed - Collection?

There are 3 films in the Bad Seed - Collection: The Bad Seed (1956), The Bad Seed (2018) and The Bad Seed Returns (2022).