Malcolm X

Play trailer

Malcolm X

PG-13

Released Nov 18, 1992

3h 21m

Biography

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Malcolm X deftly [navigates] that wide gulf between personal identity and public image, providing illumination, criticism, and commemoration in equal measure.

Jul 12, 2025

Full Review

KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

Spike Lee's discerning vision & Denzel Washington's boundless performance results in a cinematic multifaceted reflection of a public figure and an open dialogue of the world, how it has been built, who benefits and those that are left with work to do.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Oti

For Your Reference Podcast

Denzel Washington shines as Malcolm X in a powerful, poignant epic. Few films justify their length like this—expertly paced, timeless, and sadly, still relevant today.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

laura

every preconception i had about this movie was that it was a masterpiece, and still i ended up walking out of the theater astounded and lost for words.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Based on a real story in 3 hours and 21 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $47,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Isa B

This is a supremely well-made motion picture. I love the cinematography. The story shows many stages in the life of a great man. Denzel Washington delivers a magnificent performance as Malcolm X. I know people have been saying this since 1993, but Denzel most definitely deserved the Oscar that year. In the scene when Malcolm first meets Elijah Muhammad, we are treated to an outstanding display of acting. As soon as Denzel approaches Al Freeman, Jr., who plays Elijah Muhammad perfectly by the way, the tears begin to flow. Wow! That is a powerful scene. I am not a huge fan of Spike Lee, but this is my favorite of the films he's made and I also think he was terrific in his acting performance. Everyone is fantastic in the picture. Delroy Lindo, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Giancarlo Esposito, Theresa Randlez, etc. As Malcolm drives to his final destination, "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke is playing, and it really sets the mood for the tragedy we are all regretfully awaiting. The assassination scene will bring you to tears as it is understandably quite emotional. Spike Lee made a special movie about and one of history's special people. It was my privilege the watch it. I definitely recommend this one. 95/100

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

meeqwon U

Great movie great man. Especially the second half of the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

Full Review

Buck M

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 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Haseeb A

Greatest film ever it is absolute cinema must watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Spike Lee

Director

Denzel Washington

Malcolm X

Angela Bassett

Betty Shabazz

Albert Hall

Baines

Al Freeman Jr.

Elijah Muhammad

Delroy Lindo

West Indian Archie

The Last Emperor

86%

88%

The Last Emperor

Watchlist

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

61%

68%

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Watchlist

Lincoln

89%

80%

Lincoln

Watchlist

The Aviator

86%

79%

The Aviator

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Aviator

Hotel Rwanda

91%

94%

Hotel Rwanda

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Denzel Washington Coolest Lines Mashup

2:00

View more videos

View more photos

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
Producer: Spike Lee, Marvin Worth
Screenwriter: Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Arnold Perl, Spike Lee
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: JVC Entertainment, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Largo International N.V.
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
Runtime: 3h 21m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now