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Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film directed by John Schlesinger and written by Waldo Salt, based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film directed by John Schlesinger and written by Waldo Salt, based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel. It stars Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman as two marginalized men in New York City and became the only X-rated film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Plot

The film centers on Joe Buck, a naive Texan who comes to New York City hoping to succeed as a sex worker, and his uneasy friendship with Ratso Rizzo. Their relationship drives the film’s depiction of loneliness, poverty, and survival in the city.

Production and release

Midnight Cowboy was directed by British filmmaker John Schlesinger and released by United Artists in 1969. It was Schlesinger’s first Hollywood film and attracted attention for its frank treatment of sexuality and urban hardship.

Awards and legacy

The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and became notable for being the only X-rated film ever to receive that honor. It is also widely recognized as a landmark work of late-1960s American cinema.

Adaptation

Waldo Salt adapted the screenplay from James Leo Herlihy’s novel. The film retained the novel’s central characters and themes while translating them into a stark New York setting.

Key facts

  • The film follows Joe Buck, a Texas newcomer to New York, and Ratso Rizzo, a sickly small-time hustler, whose relationship becomes central to the story.
  • It was originally rated X in the United States and later re-rated R.
  • It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
  • It is the only X-rated film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
  • The film was adapted from James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name.
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Canadian context

Midnight Cowboy has been a longstanding reference point in film studies and classic-cinema programming in Canada, especially for its significance in New Hollywood and Academy Awards history.

Frequently asked questions

What is Midnight Cowboy about?
It follows Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo, two men struggling to survive in New York City and forming an unlikely friendship.
Who directed Midnight Cowboy?
John Schlesinger directed the film.
What is Midnight Cowboy based on?
It is based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name.
Did Midnight Cowboy win Best Picture?
Yes. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Was Midnight Cowboy rated X?
Yes. It was originally rated X in the United States and later re-rated R.
Why is Midnight Cowboy historically significant?
It is the only X-rated film to win Best Picture and is widely regarded as a landmark of American New Hollywood cinema.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midnight-Cowboy
    Supports: Film identity, release year, premise, X rating, and Best Picture significance.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/midnight-cowboy-1969-1
    Supports: Original X rating, later re-rating to R, and thematic impact.
  3. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCENyypWq3k
    Supports: Film credits, plot summary, Academy Awards won, National Film Registry note.
  4. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/15-uncensored-facts-about-midnight-cowboy
    Supports: Release date, cast, source novel, box-office context, and song association.