Malcolm X
Seen it?1992 | 202 min | Drama, History
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.5 out of 10) and it drew serious awards attention. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved BlacKkKlansman or The Shawshank Redemption, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 22 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- It's long: 3 hr 22 min.
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actor. Also nominated for 2 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe and 1 more Berlin award. Plus 15 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$73 million worldwide on a $34 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 404K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Spike Lee
- Denzel WashingtonMalcolm X
- Angela BassettBetty Shabazz
- Albert HallBaines
- Al Freeman Jr.Elijah Muhammad
- Delroy LindoWest Indian Archie
- Spike LeeShorty
- Theresa RandleLaura
- Kate VernonSophia
- Lonette McKeeLouise Little
- Tommy HollisEarl Little