Major Payne

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Major Payne

PG-13

1995

1h 37m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

68%

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100,000+ Ratings

Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The problem with this movie isn’t ambivalence, because nothing has been sufficiently established, either morally or psychologically...

Rated: 1/4

Jun 7, 2022

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Although the plot of the movie is a familiar formula, the dialogue and performance are not; it's a smart, funny job of poking fun at all those movies where sadistic drill instructors terrorized their green recruits.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

The movies have yet to utilize the writing and performing talents that were evident from Damon Wayans on In Living Color.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 2, 2022

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Silly slapstick movie has some violence, salty language.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 13, 2015

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 15, 2005

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 1/5

Feb 18, 2005

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Chad S

The fact that this has a 29% critics score tells you all you need to know about critics. A classic comedy with a star performance by Damon Wayans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

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Audience Member

A pretty fun movie through and through. I enjoyed it quite a bit. 3/5 stars.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Will S

It's a hilarious movie an absolute must watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

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Ethan G

Hahahahahah I couldn’t stop laugh about🤣, funny Major Payne soldier.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Language Throughout and Some Crude and Sexual Humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $30,112,050.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

Full Review

tyler s

This movie is hilarious nothing will ever change my mind

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Nick Castle

Director

Damon Wayans

Maj. Benson Payne

Karyn Parsons

Emily Walburn

Michael Ironside

Lt. Col. Stone

William Hickey

Dr. Phillips

Albert Hall

Gen. Decker

Major Payne: Official Clip - Meeting the Cadets

3:06

Major Payne: Official Clip - Grenade Training

3:15

Major Payne: Official Clip - Hip-Hop March

2:55

Major Payne: Official Clip - Payne's Dream

2:02

Major Payne: Official Clip - Biker Fight

2:21

Major Payne: Official Clip - Training the Turds

3:20

Major Payne: Official Clip - Cut a Little Rug

2:16

Major Payne: Official Clip - Dress Up Prank

2:27

Major Payne: Official Clip - The Little Engine That Could

3:15

Major Payne: Official Clip - Shooting the Boogie Man

3:27

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Synopsis

Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

Director: Nick Castle
Producer: Eric L. Gold, Michael I. Rachmil
Screenwriter: Dean Lorey, Damon Wayans, Gary Rosen
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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