Detroit Rock City

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Detroit Rock City

R

Released Aug 13, 1999

1h 35m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Rock-loving teens and aspiring musicians Hawk (Edward Furlong), Lex (Giuseppe Andrews), Trip (James DeBello) and Jam (Sam Huntington) can't wait to see their favorite band, KISS, perform at an upcoming concert. However, when Jam's pious mother (Lin Shaye) finds the tickets to the event, she incinerates them, leaving the boys desperate for a way to see the show. In their attempts to see KISS, the lads endure misunderstandings, humiliation and violence, all just to see their beloved idols.

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Critics Consensus

Silly plot, over-the-top directing style.

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Xan Brooks

Independent (UK)

Rifkin's yoof comedy hits a lot of easy buttons, but it's ultimately rather charming.

Dec 20, 2024

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D

Sep 7, 2011

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A valentine to sex, drugs, and cutting school.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

Much like the rock group it celebrates, Detroit Rock City is so brazenly moronic that it ends up seemingly brilliant for all the right reasons.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 26, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a briskly-paced, unabashedly larger-than-life comedy...

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 6, 2021

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

By no means a masterpiece; hell, it's barely a great movie, but it packs in enough talent, fun, and healthy delusions only KISS fans are capable of.

Jan 2, 2017

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Nick O

Like if Rock N’ Roll High School swapped out The Ramones for KISS…and don’t forget that trademark Adam Rifkin weirdness we all love!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Jeepers C

What a gem of a movie. For anyone who has ever been young and in awe of their favorite band. They will do anything to see their favorite rock band Kiss. This is a fun, little comedy to watch with a few friends.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

Full Review

H D

This is true cinema….. —Martin Scorsese probably

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/24

Full Review

Carlos I

This is definitely a product of it's time. I don't think most of what's going on here would be acceptable by today's audiences. That said, I still get loads of entertainment out of it, maybe it's just nostalgia controlling me, or maybe it's the movie's sense of fun, partying and teenage rebellion that keep me hooked. Whatever it is, I'll continue watching and having fun with it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/24

Full Review

Liam N

If your 14-18, you need to see this movie. The feeling of freedom, purity and rawness the characters give is special. Any lost soul, or outcast will feel like they have a home. Rock on kids!!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/23

Full Review

Elias R

Campy and goofy, hits all the right notes and does exactly what it should. An awesome rock-buddy comedy that fulfills and ignites the rock star flame in all its die-hard viewers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/23

Full Review

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Adam Rifkin

Director

Edward Furlong

Hawk

Giuseppe Andrews

Lex

James DeBello

Trip

Sam Huntington

Jeremiah 'Jam' Bruce

Lin Shaye

Mrs. Bruce

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Synopsis

Rock-loving teens and aspiring musicians Hawk (Edward Furlong), Lex (Giuseppe Andrews), Trip (James DeBello) and Jam (Sam Huntington) can't wait to see their favorite band, KISS, perform at an upcoming concert. However, when Jam's pious mother (Lin Shaye) finds the tickets to the event, she incinerates them, leaving the boys desperate for a way to see the show. In their attempts to see KISS, the lads endure misunderstandings, humiliation and violence, all just to see their beloved idols.

Director: Adam Rifkin
Producer: Gene Simmons, Barry Levine, Kathleen Haase
Screenwriter: Carl V. Dupré
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Base 12 Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.2M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround

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