You've probably seen the headlines or the grainy set photos from a couple of years back. Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart wandering around Northern California looking slightly disheveled. It’s for a movie called Sacramento. If you're currently hunting for the Sacramento movie where to watch options, you aren't alone, but the answer is a little more complicated than just hitting "play" on Netflix tonight.
This isn't just another indie flick. It’s Michael Angarano’s directorial project—he also stars in it—and it’s been a long time coming. The film follows Rickey (Angarano) and Glenn (Cera) on an impromptu, somewhat chaotic road trip from Los Angeles up to Sacramento.
Why?
Because Rickey is having a bit of a life crisis and decides his best friend needs to help him scatter his father's ashes. It sounds heavy, but it's billed as a buddy comedy. If you’ve ever been on a road trip with a friend who is "going through it," you know exactly the kind of awkward, hilarious, and frustrating energy this movie is tapping into.
The current streaming status of Sacramento
Right now, you cannot stream Sacramento on major platforms like Max, Hulu, or Disney+. It hasn't landed there yet. The film had its big world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June 2024. That’s usually the first step in a long dance between filmmakers and distributors.
If you missed the festival circuit, you're basically in the "waiting room" phase of film distribution. Usually, after a high-profile premiere like Tribeca, a distributor like Vertical or Utopia picks up the rights. In this case, Vertical acquired the North American distribution rights with plans for a release.
What does that mean for you? It means a theatrical run comes first. Even if it’s a limited release in select cities like New York, LA, and (obviously) Sacramento, that happens before it hits your living room.
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Honestly, the timeline for these kinds of indies is usually six to nine months from festival to "home video" or streaming. Since it hit festivals in mid-2024, we are looking at a wider release window that stretches into late 2024 or early 2025. You’ll likely see it pop up for digital rental on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video before it settles into a "free" streaming home.
Why the hype is actually real this time
People are obsessed with this cast. Michael Cera is having a massive resurgence lately. Between Barbie and his weirdly perfect CeraVe Super Bowl moment, he’s back in the cultural zeitgeist in a way we haven't seen since Superbad.
Then you have Kristen Stewart. She plays Glenn’s wife, Rosie. Maya Erskine is in it too, playing Rickey's wife, Tallie. Erskine is a comedic genius—if you haven't seen PEN15, you’re missing out on some of the most cringeworthy, accurate television ever made.
The chemistry here is what makes people keep searching for the Sacramento movie where to watch. It’s a group of actors who are actually friends in real life. Angarano and Cera have known each other forever. That comfort shows on screen. It doesn't feel like "acting" as much as it feels like eavesdropping on a private conversation between two guys who are terrified of growing up.
What to expect from the story
It’s a road trip movie, but it isn't The Hangover. It’s more in the vein of Sideways or maybe The Puffy Chair. It’s low-fi.
The plot centers on Rickey coaxing Glenn into this drive. Glenn is settled. He's married. He's trying to be an adult. Rickey is... not. The journey is about 400 miles up the I-5 or the 99, depending on which route they take, which any Californian will tell you is a boring, dusty, soul-searching drive.
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They actually filmed on location. You'll see Gunther’s Ice Cream. You'll see the Tower Bridge. For locals, it's a bit of a "spot the landmark" game. For everyone else, it’s a backdrop for a story about the realization that your twenties are over and your thirties are demanding something from you that you might not be ready to give.
Technical details and production background
The film was produced by Bee-Hive Production and dressed up with a script co-written by Angarano and Chris Smith. It’s got that specific indie "look"—warm tones, handheld cameras, and a lot of natural light.
- Director: Michael Angarano
- Writer: Michael Angarano, Chris Smith
- Stars: Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Maya Erskine
- Runtime: Approximately 84 minutes
Short runtimes are a blessing. In an era where every superhero movie is three hours long, an 84-minute comedy is a lean, mean storytelling machine. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It gets in, makes you feel a little sad and a little happy, and then lets you go get dinner.
Where will it go after the theater?
Once the theatrical window closes, the Sacramento movie where to watch question gets easier. Vertical often deals with streamers like Hulu or Netflix for their "second window" rights.
However, the most reliable path for these films is VOD (Video on Demand). Expect to pay about $14.99 to $19.99 for an early digital "purchase" and then $5.99 for a rental a few weeks later.
If you are a physical media collector, there's a decent chance this gets a Blu-ray release through a boutique label, though that's becoming rarer for smaller indies unless they become cult hits.
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Why Sacramento is the setting
Sacramento is often the punchline of jokes in California. It’s the "boring" capital. But lately, movies like Lady Bird have shown that there’s a deep, leafy, nostalgic beauty to the City of Trees.
Angarano chose it because it represents a destination that feels like "home" but also like a place you’re supposed to have moved past. It’s the perfect metaphor for the characters. They are heading toward a place that represents their past while trying to figure out if they have a future.
Practical steps for staying updated
Since the movie isn't widely available this second, you have to be a bit proactive.
- Follow the distributor: Keep an eye on Vertical’s social media or website. They are the ones who will drop the trailer with the "In Theaters and On Demand" date.
- Set a Google Alert: This is the easiest way. Just set an alert for "Sacramento movie release date." You’ll get an email the second a major trade like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter announces the streaming debut.
- Check Letterboxd: The community on Letterboxd is usually the first to log when a movie hits a specific streaming service. If you see a sudden spike in reviews, it usually means it just dropped on a major platform.
- Support Local Cinemas: If you live in a city with an Alamo Drafthouse or a small independent theater, check their "coming soon" section. These are the places most likely to screen Sacramento.
The wait can be annoying. We're used to instant gratification. But a movie like this—a small, character-driven story—often benefits from the slow burn. It gives people time to talk about it, for the reviews to trickle out, and for the anticipation to build. When you finally do sit down to watch it, it feels like more of an event than just another thumbnail you clicked on while eating cereal.
Don't bother looking for pirated versions. Aside from the legal headache, the quality is garbage and it hurts the filmmakers. For an indie movie like this, every legitimate rental or ticket sale determines if Michael Angarano gets to make another movie.
Keep your eyes peeled for a late 2024 digital drop. It’s the kind of movie that feels right for a rainy Tuesday night when you’re feeling a little bit existential about your own life choices.
To stay ahead of the curve, your best bet is to monitor the official "Sacramento" film social media pages or the Tribeca alumni news feeds. They often announce "surprise" digital drops a few days before they happen. Once that digital date is set, you'll be able to find it on all the standard storefronts like Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube Movies.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official Tribeca Festival page for the "Sacramento" listing to see if any encore screenings are scheduled if you are near New York.
- Add the movie to your "Watchlist" on IMDb or Letterboxd to receive an automatic notification when a streaming service is officially linked to the title.
- Look up Vertical’s current release calendar to see where Sacramento fits in their upcoming slate of theatrical-to-VOD transitions.