Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsSXSW Film FestivalWomen's History MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Leon

Original title: Léon
  • 1994
  • K-18
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.2M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
237
14
Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
Theatrical Trailer from Columbia Pictures
Play trailer2:25
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin... Read all12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.

  • Director
    • Luc Besson
  • Writer
    • Luc Besson
  • Stars
    • Jean Reno
    • Gary Oldman
    • Natalie Portman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    1.2M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    237
    14
    • Director
      • Luc Besson
    • Writer
      • Luc Besson
    • Stars
      • Jean Reno
      • Gary Oldman
      • Natalie Portman
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 137Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #39
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 16 nominations

    Videos1

    The Professional
    Trailer 2:25
    Watch The Professional

    Photos228

    Gary Oldman in Leon (1994)
    Gary Oldman and Danny Aiello in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Gary Oldman in Leon (1994)
    Natalie Portman in Leon (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jean Reno
    Jean Reno
    • Leon
    Gary Oldman
    Gary Oldman
    • Stansfield
    Natalie Portman
    Natalie Portman
    • Mathilda
    Danny Aiello
    Danny Aiello
    • Tony
    Peter Appel
    Peter Appel
    • Malky
    Willi One Blood
    Willi One Blood
    • 1st Stansfield Man
    • (as Willie One Blood)
    Don Creech
    Don Creech
    • 2nd Stansfield Man
    Keith A. Glascoe
    • 3rd Stansfield Man
    Randolph Scott
    • 4th Stansfield Man
    Michael Badalucco
    Michael Badalucco
    • Mathilda's Father
    Ellen Greene
    Ellen Greene
    • Mathilda's Mother
    Elizabeth Regen
    Elizabeth Regen
    • Mathilda's Sister
    Carl J. Matusovich
    • Mathilda's Brother
    Frank Senger
    Frank Senger
    • Fatman
    Lucius Wyatt Cherokee
    Lucius Wyatt Cherokee
    • Tonto
    • (as Lucius Wyatt 'Cherokee')
    Eric Challier
    • Bodyguard Chief
    Luc Bernard
    • Mickey
    Maïwenn
    Maïwenn
    • Blond Babe
    • (as Ouin-Ouin)
    • Director
      • Luc Besson
    • Writer
      • Luc Besson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    American History X
    8.5
    American History X
    Epäillyt
    8.5
    Epäillyt
    Uhrilampaat
    8.6
    Uhrilampaat
    Vihreä maili
    8.6
    Vihreä maili
    Seitsemän
    8.6
    Seitsemän
    Pelastakaa sotamies Ryan
    8.6
    Pelastakaa sotamies Ryan
    The Departed
    8.5
    The Departed
    Pianisti
    8.5
    Pianisti
    The Prestige
    8.5
    The Prestige
    Gladiator
    8.5
    Gladiator
    Koskemattomat
    8.5
    Koskemattomat
    Matrix
    8.7
    Matrix

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Jean Reno, he decided to play Léon as if he were "a little mentally slow" and emotionally repressed. He felt that this would make audiences relax and realize that he wasn't someone who would take advantage of a vulnerable young girl. Reno claims that for Léon, the possibility of a physical relationship with Mathilda is not even conceivable, and as such, during the scenes when such a relationship is discussed, Reno very much allowed Portman to be emotionally in control of the scenes.
    • Goofs
      Many viewers believe that Stansfield never saw Leon, and therefore could not recognize him at the end, but may not remember that Stansfield visited Tony at the restaurant after Leon had killed part of Stansfield's crew. Thus, being intimidated and threatened by Stansfield, it could be assumed that Tony gave him a complete description of Leon, and possibly a photograph.
    • Quotes

      Mathilda: I don't wanna lose you, Leon.

      Léon: You're not going to lose me. You've given me a taste for life. I wanna be happy. Sleep in a bed, have roots. And you'll never be alone again, Mathilda. Please, go now, baby, go. Calm down, I'll meet you at Tony's in an hour, I love you, now go, go now.

    • Crazy credits
      Under the "SPECIAL THANKS" heading you will find:
      Chevalier KAMEN (Prince of the Mash Potatoes)
      Byblos Bill (King of Saint Tropez)
      Princess Trudy (Queen of Hearts)
    • Alternate versions
      In the original version there is a shot of Tony's place at night just before Stansfield and his men come in on the birthday party. This isn't in the 'Version integrale' (International Cut).
    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: The Best Man for the Job: The Making of 'The Professional' (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Shape Of My Heart
      Written by Sting and Dominic Miller

      Introduction by Dominic Miller

      Performed by Sting

      Courtesy of Magnetic Ltd. / A&M Records

      by arrangement with PolyGram Special Projects

    User reviews1.4K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    One of the greatest thrillers of all time.
    A hitman is forced to look after twelve year old Matilda, who's family has been killed.

    Leon was and will forever be a masterpiece, it is a thought provoking, dramatic and pretty violent thriller, one that will actually challenge you, making you question what's actually happening in front of your eyes.

    Violent and bleak in parts, but not lacking some humour, the game of charades for example is a real hoot, and breaks the serious narrative up a little.

    Best scene for me, the showdown in The Gent's toilet, where Matilda finally confronts Stan, the acting is off the scale.

    The relationship between Leon and Matilda is complex, but one thing that I noticed, is that every aspect of it is driven by Matilda, not Leon, he just goes with the flow.

    The acting is phenomenal, there are a trio of first class performances, Jean Reno and Gary Oldman as you'd expect are captivating, but credit to a young Natalie Portman who is on par, defying her young age and inexperience, no wonder.

    This amazing film still packs a punch.

    10/10.
    helpful•46
    5
    • Sleepin_Dragon
    • Jun 11, 2023

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ29

    • How long is Léon: The Professional?Powered by Alexa
    • Why does Leon always drink milk?
    • How did Leon manage to disappear after holding a man at knifepoint?
    • Is Léon based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 17, 1995 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Léon
    • Filming locations
      • Paris, France(Leon's apartment interiors)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Gaumont
      • Les Films du Dauphin
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • FRF 115,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,501,238
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,306,558
      • Nov 20, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,570,198
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Natalie Portman and Jean Reno in Leon (1994)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of Leon (1994) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Product image
    Photos
    Do You Recognize These Rising Stars?
    See the gallery
    Production art
    Photos
    Women in Science Fiction
    See the gallery
    Poster
    List
    Hillary's 6 Picks for March and Beyond
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2024 by IMDb.com, Inc.