Bringing Down the House

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Bringing Down the House

PG-13

2003

1h 45m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

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149 Reviews

49%

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250,000+ Ratings

Lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. But he lucks out with online dating and meets a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets -- an escaped African-American convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah) -- is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene convinces him to take her case and prove her innocence, and along the way they learn to become friends.

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Critics Consensus

Though the cast shines, they can't save this comedy, which is overly contrived and filled with outdated and offensive racial jokes.

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Rachel Swan

Bitch Media

The film fails as a satire because it's plenty racist on its own.

Dec 17, 2020

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Martin and Latifah rule in boundary-pushing PG-13.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 22, 2010

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

It's quite a mess, this catastrophe -- a racially offensive mess, too.

Jun 12, 2003

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Steve Martin and Queen Latifah? Who woulda thunk it! But kudos to that brainchild!

Nov 7, 2019

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

It's a wheezing, rusted machine of cheap jokes, cartoon performances, and crummy plotting, using shock value and insensitivity to make its painfully unfunny points.

Rated: D

Jul 26, 2012

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Everything about this film is painfully familiar, except, perhaps, for the vicious-but-comic catfight between Latifah and Missi Pyle, who plays a high-society gold digger.

Rated: 4/10

May 12, 2012

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Teddy G.

Absolutely funny as hell, this movie is a classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

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waffle w

these ratings are way too low- the movie's a fun watch. And none of the jokes are meant to be taken seriously...it's really not offensive and critics proclaim.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Dang L

Best movie I’ve eva seen in my life 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Lauren H

In 2025, I get why it is not a 5/5 for most. However... Always will be a favourite movie of mine! Many belly laughs to be had.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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thiago s

Filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, as cenas são bacanas, a história é bacaninha, o elenco é bom, e a maioria ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bons, e gostei da queen latifah como coadjuvante no filme, com tudo isso, eu recomendo esse filme

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Nathan W

They sure laid the stereotypes on thick in this one. Some of the bits i thought were in jest but others were downright cringy. So much so, that I'm surprised they were even allowed back in 2003. Modern day sensitivities aside, I thought this movie worked well enough and was a slightly above average comedy. Queen Latifah and Steve Martin had some chemistry together, and their overall personas kept what could have been a more offensive film feeling light and wholesome. Plus, Eugene Levy trying to talk dirty the whole movie... hilarious! It provides some genuine laughs but much of my amusement came from the outlandish situations that were presented. The main plot didn't really get going until almost the end of the film, and then there wasn't enough time to make it interesting. Still, if you can get past some of the more obvious flaws here, it's not a bad watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

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Adam Shankman

Director

Steve Martin

Peter Sanderson

Queen Latifah

Charlene Morton

Eugene Levy

Howie Rottman

Joan Plowright

Mrs. Arness

Jean Smart

Kate

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Synopsis

Lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. But he lucks out with online dating and meets a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets -- an escaped African-American convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah) -- is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene convinces him to take her case and prove her innocence, and along the way they learn to become friends.

Director: Adam Shankman
Producer: David Hoberman, Ashok Amritraj
Screenwriter: Jason Filardi
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug Material|Sexual Humor)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $132.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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