Do the Right Thing

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Do the Right Thing

R

Released Jun 30, 1989

2h 0m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

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112 Reviews

89%

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50,000+ Ratings

Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, vibrant, and urgent without being didactic, Do the Right Thing is one of Spike Lee's most fully realized efforts -- and one of the most important films of the 1980s.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

...utterly singular and potent.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 19, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

[Spike Lee] offers no solutions, but confronts us with the facts — the audience is left with no doubts about the authenticity of the story.

May 23, 2023

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Wael Khairy

RogerEbert.com

Over 30 years later, Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” remains more relevant than ever.

Mar 31, 2023

Full Review

Branyan Towe

Loud and Clear Reviews

There is no question that Do the Right Thing is one of the greatest films of all time and Spike Lee’s biggest contribution to the world of cinema.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 24, 2024

Full Review

Jeffrey Peterson

The Streamr

Do The Right Thing has been recognized as a classic by critics, fans, and organizations. TV and film have mimicked and parodied, but what truly solidifies it is that we need the text in order to understand our own world.

Sep 20, 2024

Full Review

Chase Hutchinson

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Spike Lee’s masterpiece remains a scorcher of a film that is not just one of the best in his career, but one of the greatest American movies ever made.

Jul 25, 2024

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Grant P

This film was amazing. I really liked all the saturated and bright colors which added to the fact that the movie was set on the hottest day of the summer. All of the fun and interesting characters made the film a fun watch, but the death scene added an unexpected seriousness. Also, the quotes at the end of the film really wrapped everything up nicely. I would definitely recommend this movie to others.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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Wyatt C

It was an okay movie. It’s not my favorite but also not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. I didn’t really like the production quality and the first half of the movie was very boring. I’ll say that the last part of it was really good and entertaining but the first half brings it down a lot. I also felt uncomfortable for a lot of it which I don’t like in movies. I did like some of the close ups during certain scenes and the actors being young was cool to see.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Fatima A

I really enjoyed this movie. I definitely recommend this. I loved how it was an old type of movie and based off in nyc. I don’t think this movie needs any improvements. I would watch it again. I liked how it was funny.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Alexander S

Spike Lee turns the thermostat up very quickly… you literally begin to sweat. 2024 audiences of all ages will appreciate the commentary on our societal fissions, personified in this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Daxton K

This movie was very different from any movie I’ve seen recently. I think Spike Lee does a great job tackling civil rights in this movie. You can tell he wanted you to be uncomfortable by the way the shots of the actors are super close up and you can see them sweat. You can really feel the heat by the lighting in this movie. Overall I think this film was pretty good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Ida C

This film was amazing. I really liked all the saturated and bright colors which added to the fact that the movie was set on the hottest day of the summer. All of the fun and interesting characters made the film a fun watch, but the death scene added an unexpected seriousness. Also, the quotes at the end of the film really wrapped everything up nicely. I would definitely recommend this movie to others.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

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Spike Lee

Director

Danny Aiello

Sal

Ossie Davis

Da Mayor

Ruby Dee

Mother Sister

Richard Edson

Vito

Giancarlo Esposito

Buggin Out

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Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Da Mayor & Mother Sister

1:38

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Fight the Power

3:00

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Your Jordans Are F***ed Up!

2:23

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - No Nasty

3:17

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Destroying Sal's

2:59

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - 20 "D" Batteries

1:15

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - LOVE and HATE

1:51

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Racist Stereotypes

3:04

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Boycott Sal's!

3:00

Do the Right Thing: Official Clip - Today's Forecast

1:24

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Synopsis

Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Spike Lee
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 1989, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.0M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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