Backdraft
Seen it?1991 | 137 min | Drama, Thriller, Action, Crime
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but middling reviews (72% on Rotten Tomatoes) held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and action fans. If you loved Before the Devil Knows You're Dead or Scarface, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 17 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Two feuding siblings carrying on a heroic family tradition as Chicago firefighters. But when a puzzling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these crimes.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$152 million worldwide on a $75 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 241K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Backdraft 2 Weeknight WatchFrom the same Backdraft series, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Saturday SpecialAnother workplace crime drama.
Scarface Saturday SpecialAnother crime drama.
The Client Saturday SpecialAnother crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Next of Kin Weeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ron Howard
- Kurt RussellStephen McCaffrey
- William BaldwinBrian McCaffrey
- Robert De NiroDonald Rimgale
- Donald SutherlandRonald Bartel
- Jennifer Jason LeighJennifer Vaitkus
- Scott GlennJohn 'Axe' Adcox
- Rebecca De MornayHelen McCaffrey
- Jason GedrickTim Kirzminski
- J.T. WalshAlderman Marty Swayzak
- Anthony Mockus Sr.Chief John Fitzgerald