Meet Joe Black

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2:26

Meet Joe Black

PG-13

1998

3h 0m

Fantasy

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins), businessman and devoted family man, is about to celebrate his 65th birthday. However, before he reaches that landmark, he is visited by Death (Brad Pitt), who has taken human form as Joe Black, a young man who recently died. Joe and Bill make a deal: Bill will be given a few extra days of his life, and Joe will spend the same time getting to know what it's like to be human. It seems like a perfect arrangement, until Joe falls in love -- with Bill's daughter.

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Critics Consensus

Meet Joe Black is pretty to look at and benefits from an agreeable cast, but that isn't enough to offset this dawdling drama's punishing three-hour runtime.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

[A] glossy but overlong update of Mitchell Leisen’s 1934 comedy Death Takes a Holiday.

Mar 28, 2023

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

A savory, extralong feature whose obvious plotlines unfold with an almost painful slowness that somehow makes them deeper.

Oct 26, 2020

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Ann Hornaday

Baltimore Sun

To call the three-hour-long "Meet Joe Black" leaden would do an injustice to lead.

Rated: 1/4

Oct 26, 2020

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...Meet Joe Black was savaged by critics at the time, but looks a more interesting prospect today, not least because we know how just how far outside his comfort zone Brad Pitt’s deeply strange, yet memorable performance is...

Rated: 3/5

Jun 9, 2025

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David Oppedisano

Radio Times

This is Hollywood at the crossroads of glossy and classy, with Hopkins at the peak of his powers and Pitt at his most transcendent.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 7, 2024

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

A gimmicky premise is made even worse by iffy acting, hilariously bad dialogue, and a slow pace.

Jan 17, 2024

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Julie P

I loved this movie 25+ years ago and love it still today. The peace by which Joe Black gives to Bill Parish "Should I be afraid?" Bill asks. Death quietly whispers "no, there is not for a man like you, Bill." Yes, the movie is long but I don't know what part would be cut out? There's a guy Drew who is a complete and utter, insecure Putz and is also conniving and nasty. Quince who is the bumbling fool who is forgiven by? The man who dies at the end... after forgiving Quince. Isn't that how it should be? Just watched again tonight (for the umpteenth time).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

Full Review

Brad F.

One of my all time favorite movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

Full Review

Dirtydan S

I honestly thought this movie was going to be interesting, and at the beginning it was quite funny but it became absolutely boring and drawn out to where it didn't make any sense. I guess some of the acting is okay but really, its an idea that flopped and could have been certainly extraordinary with the cast.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

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Timothy C.

While the run time can kind of bog you down, the tenderness and purity of intimate moments between Joe black (Brad Pitt) and characters throughout the film such as the woman in the hospital and Susan (Claire forlani) at the birthday party for example are captivating to say the least. Very interesting story and premise, slow here and there but overall very solid and thought provoking film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

Full Review

A. ERUNDIL M

Muy interesante de ver, reflexiva y muy bien los tres protagonistas, especialmente Anthony.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

Full Review

Marisa R

Early evidence of Brad Pitt’s unmistakable star quality. Anthony Hopkins being exceptional as usual. Claire Forlani was as believable as she was beautiful. Fantastic casting all around. Yes, it’s a 3 hour movie but to be honest, I relished getting to spend the extra time with these characters and this story. I may have a couple notes/thoughts on the ending but still altogether found it to be a memorable and special movie that will stay with me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

Full Review

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Martin Brest

Director

Brad Pitt

Joe Black

Anthony Hopkins

William Parrish

Claire Forlani

Susan Parrish

Jake Weber

Drew

Marcia Gay Harden

Allison

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - I Like You So Much

3:00

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Lightning Could Strike

2:58

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Mystery Man

2:30

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Joe Says Goodbye

2:51

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - That Was Wonderful

3:00

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Peanut Butter Man

2:23

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Bill Introduces Joe

1:53

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Am I Going to Die?

2:34

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Bill's Birthday Speech

1:35

Meet Joe Black: Official Clip - Undressing Joe Black

2:35

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Meet Joe Black: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins), businessman and devoted family man, is about to celebrate his 65th birthday. However, before he reaches that landmark, he is visited by Death (Brad Pitt), who has taken human form as Joe Black, a young man who recently died. Joe and Bill make a deal: Bill will be given a few extra days of his life, and Joe will spend the same time getting to know what it's like to be human. It seems like a perfect arrangement, until Joe falls in love -- with Bill's daughter.

Director: Martin Brest
Producer: Martin Brest
Screenwriter: Ron Osborn, Jeff Reno, Bo Goldman
Distributor: Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures, City Lights Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.6M
Runtime: 3h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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