Citizen Kane

How difficult is Citizen Kane in English?

Citizen Kane: 62.9% A1–A2 vocabulary; 17.1% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary. Vocabulary size: 1,485.

Unique vocabulary

• For A2 learners: 29.3% of unique vocabulary is above A2 or marked rare. Expect substantial preparation; start with short scenes and English subtitles.
• For B1 learners: 17.1% of unique vocabulary is above B1 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.
• For B2 learners: 10.3% of unique vocabulary is above B2 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.

7.8% Unclassified. Unclassified vocabulary has no reliable level assignment.

Vocabulary weighted by word occurrences

92.9% A1–A2 vocabulary; 3.0% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary; 1.3% Unclassified.

This counts repeated eligible words. Phrases are excluded from this calculation to avoid counting their component words twice.

Recurring words and phrases to preview

• opera (B1): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.

  Subtitle example: For wife two, one-time opera-singing Susan Alexander...

• war (B1): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: Armed fighting between countries or groups.

  Subtitle example: Kane urged his country's entry into one war...

• suppose (B1): 8 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: To think something is probably true, or to imagine a possible situation.

  Subtitle example: I don't suppose anybody ever had so many opinions.

• dramatic (B1): 7 occurrences in available subtitles.

  Subtitle example: Our new dramatic critic. I hope I haven't made a mistake.

• expect (B1): 7 occurrences in available subtitles.

  English meaning: To think something will happen or that someone will do something.

  Subtitle example: You don't expect me to keep any of those promises, do you?

Compare with titles in similar genres

• Crimson Peak: 17.1% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points more than Citizen Kane).
• Synchronicity: 17.1% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points less than Citizen Kane).
• My Cousin Rachel: 17.1% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points more than Citizen Kane).

These percentages describe vocabulary, not the proportion of dialogue you will understand. CEFR labels are estimates, not official film ratings. Accent, speed, songs, context, and your own vocabulary also affect comprehension. Repeated occurrences may include repeated dialogue or lyrics.

How we estimate vocabulary difficulty · Evidence generated: 2026-10-13