Malcolm X

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Malcolm X

PG-13

Released Nov 18, 1992

3h 21m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

89%

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81 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.

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

Stately and respectful rather than particularly radical film-making, this is a triumph all around for Lee's creative team, from its million-dollar opening shot to its memorable closing montage.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 18, 2024

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Jon G

A superfluous performance by Denzel Washington. A superb biopic from Spike Lee.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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S F

Malcom X directed by Spike Lee is a top tier bio pic. Great film making, style, tone. Three strong and very entertaining acts led by the incredible performance of Denzel Washington, who becomes this character. You can never look away for 3 hours it's so captivating. I am just going by what I see in the movie, not the book it was adapted from. Tomato scores from the pros and audiences at 90 which seems about right. It's a must watch for me, highly recommend.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

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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

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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

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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
Producer: Spike Lee, Marvin Worth
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
Runtime: 3h 21m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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