Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing

Seen it?

1989 | 120 min | Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), people are still talking about it, audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10) and it drew serious awards attention. 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.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.8 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Nominated for 2 Oscars and 4 Golden Globes.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $37 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 539K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Spike Lee

  • Danny AielloSal
  • Ossie DavisDa Mayor
  • Ruby DeeMother Sister
  • Richard EdsonVito
  • Giancarlo EspositoBuggin Out
  • Spike LeeMookie
  • Bill NunnRadio Raheem
  • John TurturroPino
  • Paul BenjaminML
  • Frankie FaisonCoconut Sid