Buster Keaton's 'The General' Turns 100, Streams Free
Buster Keaton's 1926 silent classic 'The General' turns 100 in 2026 and is now streaming for free on a new platform.
Buster Keaton's 1926 silent comedy The General has turned 100 years old in 2026, and it is now streaming for free on a new platform. The film is widely considered one of the greatest ever made, though it was only a modest box-office hit upon release.
That underperformance curtailed Keaton's creative freedom. The film was ostensibly based on a real story but presented as a broad comedy, and some of its greatest technical achievements involved a locomotive.
Its influence endures: a similar sequence appears in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, and the film's influence is cited in Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot and Minions & Monsters. Keaton himself said he was more proud of that picture than any he ever made.
The centennial and free streaming option offer a new chance to see why, as reported by collider.com.
Quick answers
Where can I stream The General for free?
The 1926 film is now streaming for free on a new platform.
How old is The General in 2026?
The classic comedy film turned 100 years old in 2026.
What films cite The General's influence?
Its influence is cited in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot, and Minions & Monsters.