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Poster for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Seen it?

2020 | 93 min | Drama, Music

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 3 Oscars. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Rocketman or Whiplash, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson's play.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 3 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Costume Design, Academy Awards: Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 2 SAG Awards: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Costume Design, British Academy Film Awards: Best Makeup and Hair. Won 3 Critics' Choice Awards: Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Best Actor, Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Best Hair & Makeup, Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Best Costume Design. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars, 1 more Golden Globe and 1 more SAG Award. Plus 11 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a solid audience

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 263K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by George C. Wolfe

  • Viola DavisMa Rainey
  • Chadwick BosemanLevee
  • Colman DomingoCutler
  • Glynn TurmanToledo
  • Michael PottsSlow Drag
  • Jeremy ShamosIrvin
  • Jonny CoyneSturdyvant
  • Taylour PaigeDussie Mae
  • Dusan BrownSylvester
  • Joshua HartoPoliceman