Brown Sugar

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Brown Sugar

PG-13

2002

1h 49m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.

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Critics Consensus

Though predictable and possibly too sweet, Brown Sugar is charming, well-acted, and smarter than typical rom-com fare.

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Adam Nayman

eye WEEKLY

True to its title, this hip-hop When Harry Met Sally is plenty sweet, but is that what we really want from a film set in the world of rap music?

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 19, 2002

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It's predictable, but it jumps through the expected hoops with style and even some depth.

Rated: B+

Oct 26, 2002

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Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

You don't have to know about music to appreciate the film's easygoing blend of comedy and romance.

Oct 11, 2002

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

I love a good romantic comedy that gives me meat and potatoes. But this just gave me a salad. I wanted to enjoy this more but the script, particularly regarding Dre's character, fell flat for me.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 14, 2023

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

It's a solid romantic comedy that doesn't quite hold the main characters accountable for their actions for other love interests. But I absolutely love this soundtrack.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 14, 2023

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

It's pretty formulaic stuff, but the performances from both leads and the supporting characters -- particularly Queen Latifah and Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) -- elevate this romcom above the usual fare.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 22, 2022

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Noel L

This is like My Best Friend's Wedding but the main protagonists get a happy ending

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/12/25

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Danielle L

Just Dope... Fresh story especially with the infusion of the hip-hop documentary concept, great acting ...Purely nostalgic for those of us that are from this era...100 % fire 🔥.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Audience Member

Matched up perfectly with my age was breakdancing in 84 as an 8 and 9 year old

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

Beautiful romantic feature I have ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Hip hop and love all in one movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

It's good movie to watch

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Rick Famuyiwa

Director

Taye Diggs

Dre

Sanaa Lathan

Sidney

Yasiin Bey

Chris

Nicole Ari Parker

Reese

Boris Kodjoe

Kelby

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54%

59%

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27%

64%

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54%

75%

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27%

53%

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44%

37%

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Synopsis

Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.

Director: Rick Famuyiwa
Producer: Peter Heller
Screenwriter: Michael Elliot, Rick Famuyiwa, Michael Elliot
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Evergreen Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.4M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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