Roofman (2025) is a true-crime comedy-drama based on Jeffrey Manchester, an Army veteran who robbed fast-food restaurants by entering through their roofs, escaped custody, and lived secretly inside a Toys “R” Us for approximately six months. Channing Tatum plays Manchester, while Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh, the woman whose relationship with him helps expose his double life.
Roofman (2025) is a true-crime comedy-drama based on Jeffrey Manchester, an Army veteran who robbed fast-food restaurants by entering through their roofs, escaped custody, and lived secretly inside a Toys “R” Us for approximately six months. Channing Tatum plays Manchester, while Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh, the woman whose relationship with him helps expose the double life he has built.
Directed and co-written by Derek Cianfrance, the film turns one of the strangest American crime stories of the late 1990s and early 2000s into an unusual mixture of crime film, romance, dark comedy, and character study. It is based on real events, but it is not a documentary or a scene-by-scene reconstruction.
What is Roofman about?
Jeffrey Manchester is introduced as a struggling father whose financial and personal difficulties lead him into robbery. His method gives him the nickname “Roofman”: rather than breaking into restaurants through doors or windows, he cuts or drills through their roofs, usually entering after closing and confronting employees later.
#1 Best Overall
- 2 pk DESIGN: The Trendsetter's frame features a 1" wide profile and a high gloss black finish creating a traditional display for your favorite posters, prints or artwork
- DIMENSIONS: Each frame measures 28x.66x41 inches and holds one 27x40 inch photograph or art print
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Each frame is constructed of durable extruded polystyrene material with a shatter resistant lightweight plastic protective front that helps prevent breakage
- EASY TO USE: Each frame includes a natural corrugate back with pre-attached sawtooth hangers for easy vertical or horizontal hanging; Just add your artwork and hang
- WALL DECOR: With a passion for design, trend and functionality, MCS delivers best-in-class products that help make your house a home; The MCS Trendsetter Poster Frame is the perfect choice for displaying posters, prints or artwork in your home, office, or dorm room
After being caught and imprisoned, Manchester escapes custody. He then hides inside a Toys “R” Us, creating a concealed living area and using the store as an unlikely base for roughly six months. By day, he attempts to pass as an ordinary person; by night, he returns to the hidden space inside the store.
The emotional center of the movie is Manchester’s relationship with Leigh Wainscott, a divorced mother who does not initially know his criminal identity. The romance gives the story a human and often gentle surface, while the audience understands that the relationship is built around a dangerous lie. Leigh’s discovery of the truth becomes the pressure point that causes Manchester’s carefully maintained secret to unravel.
Is Roofman based on a true story?
Yes. Roofman is based on the life of Jeffrey Allen Manchester, the real criminal who became known for entering fast-food restaurants through their roofs. The film’s most extraordinary premise is also rooted in the historical record: after escaping prison, Manchester hid inside a Toys “R” Us for approximately six months.
However, “based on a true story” is the appropriate description—not “fully accurate retelling.” The filmmakers reshaped chronology, relationships, supporting characters, and arrest-related events to create a dramatic narrative. Derek Cianfrance spent years communicating with Manchester while developing the project, giving the film access to Manchester’s perspective, but those conversations do not establish that every scene or character interaction happened exactly as shown.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The real Jeffrey Manchester and the “Roofman” nickname
Manchester’s nickname came from his unusual entry method. He targeted fast-food locations and accessed them through their roofs, generally after the restaurants had closed. The method was distinctive enough to become the defining detail of his criminal identity.
The Toys “R” Us hideout is the episode that made the story particularly unusual. Manchester reportedly lived in a concealed part of the store for around half a year, using store resources and trying to avoid detection by employees and shoppers. His situation allowed him to maintain the appearance of a life outside the store while secretly returning to the building after hours.
Roofman is interested in the contradiction at the center of that story. Manchester is responsible for serious crimes, yet the film also examines his loneliness, his desire to be a father, his need for connection, and his apparent wish to become someone different. That tension explains the movie’s tonal risk: the same character can be frightening, absurd, dishonest, and emotionally vulnerable within the same story.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat does Roofman change from the real story?
The film preserves the broad outline of Manchester’s life and crimes but dramatizes the details. Viewers should not assume that every person Manchester encounters in the movie is a direct historical counterpart, or that the chronology of the escape, romance, and eventual capture is exact.
- Relationships are shaped for the screenplay. Leigh represents the emotional and romantic part of the story, but the film’s presentation of their relationship should be understood as dramatized.
- Chronology is compressed or rearranged. A feature film must organize events around escalating conflict, so developments may not occur in their documented order.
- Supporting characters and incidents may be composites or inventions. Comic exchanges, secondary relationships, and some encounters serve the film’s structure rather than functioning as verified historical transcripts.
- The tone is deliberately more sympathetic. Cianfrance’s film emphasizes family, romance, loneliness, and the possibility of starting over. That does not erase the harm caused by the robberies, but it does soften the way the subject is framed.
- The arrest and escape material is dramatized. The broad fact of Manchester’s escape is part of the true story; the precise sequence shown on screen should not be treated as a complete documentary record.
The best way to approach the movie is as a character-driven interpretation of a documented crime story. Its factual foundation is real, but its emotional logic and comic timing belong to the filmmakers.
Rank #3
- STUDIO GALLERY SELECT COLLECTION: Picture frames feature a black woodgrain finish designed to help you create the perfect traditional display for your cherished memories and favorite photographs. Display one frame or many to create a gallery wall.
- EASY TO USE: These hanging picture frames have easy-to-open turn buttons with slide-in backs that make adding your photograph a breeze. Frames include pre-attached sawtooth hangers for horizontal or vertical hanging.
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: This photo frame is constructed of durable MDF wood with a sturdy backboard and shatter resistant plexiglass front to protect photos.
- MCS WALL DECOR: Designed to fit 24x36 Movie Posters, these MCS frames are ideal for showcasing framed movie posters or movie theater posters in your home theater or movie room. Add impact to your movie room decor with a gallery wall of movie poster frames—perfect for cinema lovers. With multiple sizes and finishes, MCS frames elevate any space with sleek, high-quality style.
- DIMENSIONS: This large picture frame features a 1.1-inch wide modern profile and holds a 24x36 x 0.75 poster, picture or artwork.
Cast and creative team
| Actor or filmmaker | Role |
|---|---|
| Channing Tatum | Jeffrey Manchester / Roofman |
| Kirsten Dunst | Leigh Wainscott |
| Peter Dinklage | Mitch |
| Uzo Aduba | Eileen |
| Ben Mendelsohn | Pastor Ron |
| LaKeith Stanfield | Supporting role |
| Juno Temple | Supporting role |
| Derek Cianfrance | Director and co-writer |
| Kirt Gunn | Co-writer |
The producers include Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor, Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, and Dylan Sellers. Cianfrance’s involvement is especially important because his long-running conversations with Manchester helped shape the film’s attempt to understand—not simply sensationalize—its central character.
Roofman release dates
- Toronto International Film Festival premiere: September 6, 2025
- U.S. theatrical release: October 10, 2025
- U.S. Paramount+ premiere: December 9, 2025
- U.S. DVD and 4K UHD/Blu-ray/Digital release: January 20, 2026, according to release listings
Release dates and editions can differ outside the United States. Retail stock, pricing, subscription catalogs, and digital listings are also subject to change.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Where to watch Roofman in the United States
The film’s U.S. viewing options include Paramount+, while the official Miramax listing identifies Apple, Paramount+, and Prime Video among its “Watch Now” options. Those labels may represent different forms of access—subscription streaming, digital rental, or digital purchase—so check the live listing before paying.
Current availability guide
- Subscription streaming: Paramount+ was announced as the film’s U.S. streaming home from December 9, 2025. Availability should be checked for the viewer’s country and subscription tier.
- Digital rental or purchase: Apple and Prime Video are listed as viewing options by Miramax, but the exact format and price can change.
- Physical media: U.S. DVD and 4K UHD/Blu-ray/Digital editions are listed with a January 20, 2026 release date.
Tip: If you want to watch Roofman on Paramount+, verify that the movie is included in the current U.S. catalog rather than assuming that a past premiere announcement guarantees ongoing availability.
Is Roofman available on DVD or 4K Blu-ray?
Yes. A U.S. DVD edition and a 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital edition are documented with a January 20, 2026 release date. If you prefer a physical copy, look for the Roofman 4K Blu-ray edition, while the standard Roofman DVD is the simpler option for DVD players.
Because retail inventory and prices change, check the format carefully before ordering. The 4K package is intended for viewers with a compatible 4K UHD Blu-ray player and display; owning the disc does not necessarily mean that every included digital code will work in every country.
Rank #4
- Features an image of the official poster for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, a certificate of authenticity, and one clip of real 35mm film from the movie
- Highly Collectible, Officially Licensed, Special Edition
- Clear acrylic allows light to emphasize clip of film
- 7 x 5 black frame with easel back for instant display
- Special Edition plaque with Star Wars Logo
How was Roofman received?
In the retrieved Rotten Tomatoes U.S. listing, Roofman had an 87% critics’ score and an 85% verified audience score. Those ratings are dynamic and may change as more reviews are added. The listed runtime is 2 hours and 6 minutes, and the film is rated R for language, brief sexuality, and nudity.
Reviews have generally focused on the contrast between the absurdity of Manchester’s crimes and the film’s interest in loneliness, family, romance, and reinvention. Channing Tatum’s likability is a major part of the film’s appeal, while Cianfrance’s approach is notably gentler and more accessible than a grim procedural treatment might have been.
The main reservation is that the movie can feel shaggy or overlong, and its warmth can sanitize or soften the underlying crimes. That is both the film’s defining strength and its central risk: viewers who enjoy morally complicated character studies may find the contradiction compelling, while viewers seeking a rigorous account of the case may find the emotional framing too forgiving.
Is Roofman worth watching?
It is worth watching if you want a true-crime movie that is as interested in character and romance as it is in crime mechanics. The roof robberies and Toys “R” Us hideout provide an extraordinary premise, but the film’s real subject is the gap between the identity Manchester performs and the person he hopes Leigh—and perhaps he himself—will believe him to be.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Go in expecting a dramatized true story rather than a documentary. The film’s unusual blend of crime, comedy, romance, and family drama is intentional, and its sympathetic tone should be read as a storytelling choice rather than proof that the real events were harmless or that every detail occurred as shown.
Best Value
- Print Dimensions: 24" x 36";Finished Dimensions: 25" x 37"
- Premium Printing: Printed on premium paper using non-toxic, archival inks that protect against UV light to resist fading
- Beautiful Artwork For Any Room: Wall art provides the perfect finishing touch to your living room, dining room, family room, bedroom, kid's room, bathroom, kitchen, office, laundry room, nursery, or any room with unwanted blank wall space
- Ready To Hang: Includes wall hanging hardware affixed to the back of the frame for easy installation
- Beautiful Artwork For Any Room: Wall art provides the perfect finishing touch to your living room, dining room, family room, bedroom, kid's room, bathroom, kitchen, office, laundry room, nursery, or any room with unwanted blank wall space
At a glance
| Title | Roofman |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Genre | True-crime comedy-drama |
| Based on | The life and crimes of Jeffrey Manchester |
| Lead actor | Channing Tatum |
| Director | Derek Cianfrance |
| Runtime | 2 hours 6 minutes |
| U.S. rating | R for language, brief sexuality, and nudity |
| U.S. theatrical release | October 10, 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roofman based on a true story?
Yes. The film is based on Jeffrey Allen Manchester, a real criminal who robbed fast-food restaurants through their roofs, escaped custody, and hid inside a Toys “R” Us for approximately six months. The movie changes chronology, relationships, supporting characters, and some events, so it should not be treated as a documentary.
Where can I watch Roofman?
In the United States, Paramount+ was announced as the subscription-streaming home beginning December 9, 2025. Miramax also lists Apple, Paramount+, and Prime Video as viewing options. Availability and whether an option is streaming, rental, or purchase can vary by country and change over time.
Is Roofman available on DVD or 4K Blu-ray?
Yes. U.S. release listings document a standard DVD and a 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital edition dated January 20, 2026. Retail stock, pricing, and digital-code availability may vary.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Who is in the cast of Roofman?
Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester. Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh Wainscott, with Peter Dinklage, Uzo Aduba, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, and Juno Temple in supporting roles. Derek Cianfrance directed and co-wrote the film with Kirt Gunn.
What is Roofman’s rating and runtime?
The film is rated R for language, brief sexuality, and nudity, and has a listed runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Roofman is a dramatized, unusually sympathetic true-crime film about Jeffrey Manchester, the “Roofman” who entered restaurants through their roofs and hid inside a Toys “R” Us. Its strange real-life premise, romance, and dark humor make it distinctive, but viewers should not mistake the film’s softened emotional framing for a fully accurate account.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
