The Blues Brothers

Play trailer

The Blues Brothers

R

Released Jun 18, 1980

2h 13m

Musical

Comedy

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

91 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) -- collectively known as the "Blues Brothers." Jake's first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Too over the top for its own good, but ultimately rescued by the cast's charm, director John Landis' grace, and several soul-stirring musical numbers.

Read Critics Reviews

Victoria Luxford

BBC.com

One of the great American comedy films... It’s just a joy to watch even forty three years on. John Belushi was never better as the lead. He’s funny just standing there.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 24, 2023

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The Blues Brothers is the year's best film to date; one of the, all-time great comedies; the best movie ever made in Chicago. All are true, and, boy, is that ever a surprise.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 21, 2020

Full Review

Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

Despite the temporary lift that the old pros give the picture, it is difficult for the non-cultist to feel anything but dismay, again, that so much has been squandered to produce so little that is truly artful or genuinely entertaining.

Dec 21, 2020

Full Review

Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

As a little kid, 'The Blues Brothers' taught me the foundations of American music. It also taught me that cops, Nazis and good old boys are to be mercilessly mocked and messed with.

Jun 3, 2024

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It ends up frequenting common places where the dry humor supplied by Aykroyd and Belushi's chemistry wears out like a car tire. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

More energetic than funny.

Rated: C+

Jan 20, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Christian K

"We're on a mission from God" Has some scattered moments of brilliance, mostly in its musical sections. My guess is for most people is, and definitely for me, that if were asked how many car chase scenes are in this movie your guess would be short be about 7+ cause it feels like half the movie is car chases.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Russell H

Always wanted to see this but never got around to it. Great cast and some awesome dry humor. The car chases are amazing in a very 80s way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Shilo Y

I have seen this like 5 times now, and it has hands down, the best car chase’s ever!😆

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

Garrett B

It has catchy songs and comedic performances from Belushi and Aykroyd

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Mark W

Scene after scene of pointless drivel. Nothing engaging, interesting, or funny, ever happens. It's like a bizarre dream. Uncomfortably benign. Impossible to relate to any of the characters. Just a weird, prolonged, acting out of essentially nothing except a couple of guys wearing trademark sunglasses and hats.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

fire d

this was the last movie i watched with my dying grandfather and enjoyed every minute of it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John Landis

Director

John Belushi

Jake Blues

Dan Aykroyd

Elwood Blues

James Brown

Reverend Cleophus James

Cab Calloway

Curtis

Ray Charles

Ray

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Chased by the Cops

2:58

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

3:20

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Mall Chase

2:52

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Filthy Mouths & Bad Attitudes

2:57

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Nazis Take a Dive

2:23

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Shake A Tail Feather

2:46

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Rawhide

2:49

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - The Bluesmobile Does a Backflip

2:49

The Blues Brothers: Official Clip - Paying the Price

2:56

View more videos

Midnight Run

95%

87%

Midnight Run

Watchlist

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

50%

68%

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Watchlist

D.C. Cab

18%

52%

D.C. Cab

Watchlist

National Lampoon's Animal House

91%

89%

National Lampoon's Animal House

Watchlist

The Lonely Guy

50%

47%

The Lonely Guy

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Just Add Aretha: 11 Movie Moments Made Awesome By Aretha Franklin’s Music

15 Certified Fresh Road Trip Movies

Tomatopalooza: Cinema’s Greatest Fake Bands

View more photos

Synopsis

After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) -- collectively known as the "Blues Brothers." Jake's first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time.

Director: John Landis
Producer: Robert K. Weiss
Screenwriter: Dan Aykroyd, John Landis
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Mono

Most Popular at Home Now