Imagine a man so desperate to keep his three children that he starts cutting holes in restaurant rooftops at night. No weapons drawn. No one gets hurt. He drops in, takes the cash, and disappears. He does this more than 40 times. People start calling him Roofman.
About Roofman
| Director | Derek Cianfrance |
| Writers | Derek Cianfrance, Kirt Gunn |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures / Miramax |
| Theater Release | October 10, 2025 |
| Streaming Start | December 9, 2025 (Paramount+) |
| Rating | R |
| Runtime | 2 hours 5 minutes |
| Budget | Around $19 million |
| Box Office | Around $34 million worldwide |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 87% (Certified Fresh) |
| IMDb Score | 7.0/10 |
Plot
Roofman is based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a real person who became one of the most unusual criminals in US history.
In 1998, Jeffrey is a divorced Army veteran living in North Carolina. He is struggling to take care of his three young kids and has no way to make it work. So he starts robbing McDonald’s restaurants. His method is simple but clever: he cuts a hole in the roof and drops in after hours. He robs more than 40 locations this way, earning him the nickname “Roofman.”
He eventually gets caught and goes to prison. But he escapes. With nowhere to go, he sneaks into a Toys R Us store and builds a hidden room for himself in a back area. He lives there for months without anyone knowing, surviving on food from the store.
Then he meets Leigh, a Toys R Us employee and single mom played by Kirsten Dunst. He is living as “John Zorn,” a made-up identity, and the two begin to fall for each other. As his feelings grow, so does the risk. The police are still looking for him, and his fake life is getting harder to keep up.
The film is directed by Derek Cianfrance, who is known for Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines. He wrote the screenplay with Kirt Gunn.
When Did Roofman Come Out?
Roofman had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. It then opened in US theaters on October 10, 2025.
It started streaming on Paramount+ on December 9, 2025, about two months after its theater release. It came to Amazon Prime Video in March 2026, which is when it hit number one on the streaming charts.
The DVD and Blu-ray version is also available now.
| Release | Date |
| World Premiere (TIFF) | September 6, 2025 |
| US Theaters | October 10, 2025 |
| Paramount+ | December 9, 2025 |
| Amazon Prime Video | March 2026 |
| DVD and Blu-ray | Available now |
Also Read: The Watcher Netflix: Cast, True Story, Ending Explained and Everything You Need to Know
Full Cast of Roofman
Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, also known as Roofman. Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh, the Toys R Us employee he falls for. LaKeith Stanfield plays Steve, Jeffrey’s old Army friend. Peter Dinklage plays the store manager who suspects something is wrong but cannot figure out what.
The supporting cast includes Ben Mendelsohn, Juno Temple, Uzo Aduba, Jimmy O. Yang, Emory Cohen, Melonie Diaz, and Tony Revolori. Several real people from the actual Jeffrey Manchester story also appear in small cameo roles.
| Actor / Actress | Character |
| Channing Tatum | Jeffrey Manchester / “John Zorn” |
| Kirsten Dunst | Leigh Wainscott, Toys R Us employee and single mom |
| LaKeith Stanfield | Steve, Jeffrey’s Army friend |
| Peter Dinklage | Toys R Us store manager |
| Ben Mendelsohn | Supporting role |
| Juno Temple | Supporting role |
| Uzo Aduba | Supporting role |
| Jimmy O. Yang | Used-car salesman |
| Emory Cohen | Supporting role |
| Melonie Diaz | Supporting role |
| Tony Revolori | Supporting role |
The film was directed by Derek Cianfrance, known for Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines. He wrote the screenplay with Kirt Gunn. Paramount Pictures and Miramax produced it.
How to Watch Roofman?
Amazon Prime Video
This is the easiest option for most people. Roofman is included with an Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost. It hit Prime Video in March 2026 and immediately jumped to number one, beating out even Oscar-winning films that week.
A standard Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year. New members get a 30-day free trial, which means you can watch Roofman for free if you have not tried Prime before.
| Amazon Plan | Cost | Free Trial |
| Prime (monthly) | $14.99/month | 30 days |
| Prime (annual) | $139/year | 30 days |
| Prime with Ads | $8.99/month | Limited |
| Prime Student | $7.49/month | 6 months |
Paramount+
Roofman started streaming on Paramount+ on December 9, 2025, which was before it came to Prime Video. If you already have Paramount+, you can watch it right now with no extra charge.
Paramount+ has two plans. The Essential plan costs $7.99 a month and includes ads. The Premium plan costs $13.99 a month and removes ads. Both plans include Roofman.
| Paramount+ Plan | Cost | Ads |
| Essential | $7.99/month | Yes |
| Premium | $13.99/month | No |
MGM+
Roofman is also streaming on MGM+, which is one of the most affordable ways to watch it. MGM+ costs $5.99 a month and you can add it directly to your Prime Video account, making it easy to manage in one place.
Rent or Buy
If you do not want a subscription, you can rent or buy Roofman on most major digital platforms. Renting gives you 30 days to start and 48 hours to finish once you press play.
| Platform | Rent | Buy |
| Amazon Video | From $3.99 | From $14.99 |
| Apple TV | From $3.99 | From $14.99 |
| Fandango at Home | From $3.99 | From $14.99 |
| Google Play Movies | From $3.99 | From $14.99 |
| YouTube Movies | From $3.99 | From $14.99 |
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Where Can You Watch Roofman Right Now?
Roofman is streaming on several platforms in the US right now. The most popular option is Amazon Prime Video, where it has been sitting at number one. It is also on Paramount+, MGM+, fuboTV, and Philo.
| Platform | Available? | Cost |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes | Free with Prime ($14.99/month) |
| Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Yes | Free with Prime Lite ($8.99/month) |
| Paramount+ Essential | Yes | $7.99/month |
| Paramount+ Premium | Yes | $13.99/month |
| MGM+ | Yes | $5.99/month |
| MGM+ via Amazon Channel | Yes | Add-on through Prime Video |
| MGM+ via Philo | Yes | Included with Philo + MGM+ |
| fuboTV | Yes | From $84.99/month |
| DIRECTV Stream | Yes | From $79.99/month |
| Philo | Yes | From $28/month |
| Amazon Video | Rent or Buy | Rent from $3.99 |
| Apple TV | Rent or Buy | Rent from $3.99 |
| Fandango at Home | Rent or Buy | Rent from $3.99 |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Buy | Rent from $3.99 |
| YouTube Movies | Rent or Buy | Rent from $3.99 |
| Plex | Rent | Available to rent |
| FlixFling | Rent | Available to rent |
| DVD and Blu-ray | Yes | Available now |
| Netflix | No | Not available |
Can You Watch Roofman for Free?
There are no fully free options for Roofman right now, but there are ways to watch it at no cost if you qualify for a trial.\
Here are your best options:
- New Amazon Prime members get a 30-day free trial. Roofman is included, so you can watch it during your trial at no charge.
- Prime Student offers a 6-month free trial if you have a valid college email address.
- Some phone and internet providers include Prime or Paramount+ in their plans. Check with your carrier.
- Philo sometimes offers a free trial for new subscribers, and MGM+ is available as an add-on through Philo.
There are no free ad-supported options for Roofman at this time. It is not on any free platforms like Tubi or Peacock Free.
Also Read: The Accountant 2 Where to Watch: Every Streaming and Rental Option Right Now
Is Roofman on Netflix?
No. Roofman is not on Netflix in the US. It is a Paramount Pictures release, so it went to Paramount+ for streaming first, and then Amazon Prime Video. It is not available on Netflix and there is no sign that will change.
Is it worth watching?
Yes. It is one of the most well-reviewed films Channing Tatum has ever made.
Roofman holds an 87% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 200 critics. That puts it as the third-best-reviewed film of Tatum’s career, behind only Logan Lucky and Foxcatcher. On IMDb, it sits at 7.0 out of 10.
Critics have called it a “disarmingly sweet” movie that leans into Tatum’s natural charm. Most reviews point to the chemistry between Tatum and Dunst as the best part of the film. Peter Dinklage also gets a lot of praise for a funny supporting performance as a store manager who suspects something is off but cannot figure out what.
It is not a high-energy action movie. It is a quirky, warm crime drama that blends humor and heart. Some viewers feel the middle section slows down too much, and a few felt the romantic subplot got more time than it needed. But most people who watch it end up recommending it.
One reviewer summed it up well: “Roofman is the kind of movie you stumble onto one night while scrolling and end up watching all the way through because it is oddly charming.”
| What Works | What Some People Do Not Like |
| Channing Tatum’s best performance in years | The middle of the film slows down |
| Great chemistry between Tatum and Dunst | Some feel the romance gets too much screen time |
| Funny and warm at the same time | Not a fast-paced action movie |
| Peter Dinklage steals scenes | A few story threads do not fully pay off |
| Based on a true story that is hard to believe | The villain side of the plot feels thin |
| Strong direction from Derek Cianfrance |
The True Story
The film is based on a real person. Jeffrey Manchester was a real US Army veteran from North Carolina who robbed over 40 McDonald’s locations in the late 1990s by cutting through the roofs. He was caught, sent to prison, and then actually escaped. He really did hide inside a Toys R Us store for an extended period and really did fall for a woman who worked there.
Manchester was eventually caught again. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, which many viewers find shocking given the non-violent nature of his crimes. He locked employees in freezers during robberies but always gave them a jacket first, which became a detail that stuck with people.
Channing Tatum said before the film came out that he hoped Manchester would appreciate how the movie told his story. Tatum said they tried hard not to make Manchester look like a hero, while also showing why people felt drawn to him.
FAQs
Is Roofman on Prime Video?
Yes. Roofman is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It is included with a standard Prime membership and went to number one on the Prime Video charts in March 2026.
Is Roofman on Paramount+?
Yes. Roofman has been on Paramount+ since December 9, 2025. It is available on both the Essential and Premium plans.
Is Roofman on Netflix?
No. Roofman is not on Netflix in the United States. It is a Paramount Pictures film and streams on Paramount+ and Prime Video.
Is Roofman free to watch?
You can watch it for free with a new Amazon Prime 30-day trial or a Philo free trial if available. There are no fully free options otherwise.
Where can I rent Roofman?
You can rent Roofman on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Plex, and FlixFling. Rentals start at around $3.99.
Is Roofman based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real story of Jeffrey Manchester, a US Army veteran who robbed over 40 McDonald’s restaurants by cutting through their roofs and then hid inside a Toys R Us store after escaping prison.
How long is Roofman?
Roofman runs 2 hours and 5 minutes.
What is Roofman rated?
It is rated R for strong violence and language.
Who plays Roofman?
Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, also known as Roofman. Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh, the woman he falls for while hiding in the Toys R Us.
Is Roofman good?
Yes, most people think so. It holds an 87% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.0/10 on IMDb. Critics and audiences both highlight Channing Tatum’s performance and the chemistry between him and Kirsten Dunst.
Is Roofman available on DVD?
Yes. The DVD and Blu-ray versions of Roofman are available now through Amazon and most retail stores.
Bottom Line
Roofman is one of those movies that flew under the radar in theaters but has found a much bigger audience on streaming. It is already one of the most-watched films on Prime Video and has spent over 100 days on the Paramount+ charts.
The fastest and cheapest way to watch it is through Amazon Prime Video. If you are not already a member, the 30-day free trial lets you watch it for nothing. If you already have Paramount+ or MGM+, it is waiting for you there too.
If you just want to watch it once without signing up for anything, rent it on Amazon, Apple TV, or Google Play for around $3.99.
It is a fun, warm, and surprisingly moving movie. Channing Tatum has never been better.
