Malcolm X

PG-13

Released Nov 18, 1992

3 hr. 21 min.

Biography

History

Drama

List

88%

76 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by a powerful performance from Denzel Washington, Spike Lee's biopic of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X brings his autobiography to life with an epic sweep and a nuanced message.

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Jonathan G

One of the best biopics I've seen. Ever. Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" is raw, triumphant, and monumental. Definitely Denzel's best role I've seen by far, and Spike's direction of this is also amazing. The 202-minute runtime never drags, and the writing in this is just phenomenal.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Eugene L

Absolutely riveting performance by Denzel Washington. He IS MALCOM X. Embodying his style his speech and his attitude throughout the entire movie. And what an incredible story is told in the finest and most thrilling, uplifting, hopeful, conflicting, sad ways.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Alysha S

4.35. The plot moves along perfectly -- despite the film being three hours and 20 minutes long. Denzel Washington gave another strong performance. The way he projects conviction in his acting and the way X expressed conviction are similar, I imagine. And they even somewhat look like each other. The conflicts and X's story itself are intriguing. And the questions he asked are important. The costumes, lighting and shots also are strong.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

Full Review

Alec B

One of the great American epics and perhaps one of a handful of biopics where covering most of the subject's life works to its advantage. Washington gives the performance of his career here.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Alec C

Reveals the journey of Malcolm X, from hustler to hero, with empathy and a lot of emotion that leaves us gasping! We witness how Denzel channels Malcolm's inner turmoil as he experiences the evil of racism and the hypocrisy of society. By the explosive finale, we feel a piece of us die as we witness the downfall of one of histories most outspoken of leaders!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/23

Full Review

tiffany g

spike lee's best movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

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Spike Lee

Director

Denzel Washington

Malcolm X

Angela Bassett

Betty Shabazz

Albert Hall

Baines

Al Freeman Jr.

Elijah Muhammad

Delroy Lindo

West Indian Archie

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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

Unusually rich, absorbing and often brilliant film-making, an epic deserving of the description. But that doesn't stop it from being worryingly ambiguous.

Dec 14, 2023

Full Review

Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

The film has no psychological depth and not much sense of history. It takes a purely surface view of people and events.

Dec 14, 2023

Full Review

Bob Longino

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The movie is long -- 202 minutes -- but Lee earns every tick of the clock, illuminating the many developmental moments in Malcolm X’s personality.

Rated: A-

Oct 9, 2023

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Washington’s commanding central performance and the intensity with which the story is told make the film feel both brisk and invigorating, challenging our notions of history and what it means to be black in America, then and now.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 27, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

In Malcolm X, Denzel Washington delivered the best lead male performance of the 1990s.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 15, 2023

Full Review

Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

Only a director like Lee could have produced this saga and feature a strong supporting cast with Delroy Lindo, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and a slew of cameos.

Feb 14, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Arnold Perl, Spike Lee
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Largo International N.V., JVC Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $47.1M
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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