Men in Black

Play trailer

Men in Black

PG-13

Released Jul 4, 1997

1h 38m

Action

Comedy

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay and Jay are the Men in Black, providers of immigration services and regulators of all things alien on Earth. While investigating a series of unregistered close encounters, the MIB agents uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist who is on a mission to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies currently in residence in New York City.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Thanks to a smart script, spectacular set pieces, and charismatic performances from its leads, Men in Black is an entirely satisfying summer blockbuster hit.

Read Critics Reviews

David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

A terrifically entertaining combination of alien conspiracy fears played for laughs and French Connection-meets-Ghostbusters thrills... Men in Black is so much fun one is actually mildly disappointed when it ends after an economically short 98 minutes.

Jul 2, 2019

Full Review

Paul Tatara

CNN.com

Men in Black is the wryest, sharpest, most entertaining special effects film in recent memory, a simultaneous participant and mocking parody of the more-bang-for-your-buck behemoth genre.

Aug 12, 2014

Full Review

Stephen Thompson

AV Club

Men In Black deserves credit for supplementing its special effects with a breezy script and genuinely charismatic performances by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.

Aug 12, 2014

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

This is a hilarious, deadpan sci-comedy comedy about special G-men who keep resident aliens from outer space in line.

Rated: B+

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It’s difficult to be enthusiastic about a product that ends with a dated Dennis Rodman joke and seems to exist only to reinforce Smith’s former status as an icon.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 20, 2022

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

A sharp, sci-fi crowdpleaser.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 18, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Terry A

Men in black is an old movie that had a fair amount of action associated with the central plot. I was fine for an afternoon movie. There are many better movies out there

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

Justin T

I was surprised quite how well Men in Black has aged and how entertaining it is. There are so many memorable moments and I actually found it funny in places. Obviously it isn't the best film ever and not a classic like Ghostbusters (1984) but I was expecting average at best but definitely had an above average time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/25

Full Review

Frans B

Epic and benchmark in many respects. Intelligent script, spectacular set pieces and cinematography. Stellar cast delivers convincing and striking performances, in particular Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Very entertaining and fascinating

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Everett G

A good take on your classic alien film

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Koi P

So well written and acted. Humorous and entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Ed R

Despite a loaded cast of actors, this just didn't live up to the nostalgia it should have.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Barry Sonnenfeld

Director

Tommy Lee Jones

MiB Agent K (Kay)

Will Smith

Officer James Darrel Edwards III

Linda Fiorentino

Deputy Medical Examiner Laurel Weaver, M.D.

Vincent D'Onofrio

Edgar

Rip Torn

MiB Chief Z (Zed)

Men in Black: Official Clip - It's a Squid

2:10

Men in Black: Official Clip - Edgar Takes a Hostage

2:13

Men in Black: Official Clip - The Worm Guys

1:59

Men in Black: Official Clip - Men in Black Headquarters

2:02

Men in Black: Official Clip - Shooting Down the Bug

2:13

Men in Black: Official Clip - The Galaxy Is on Orion's Belt

2:13

Men in Black: Official Clip - Jeebs Loses His Head

2:04

Men in Black: Official Clip - Was That Your Auntie?

2:13

View more videos

Men in Black II

38%

45%

Men in Black II

Watchlist

Men in Black 3

67%

70%

Men in Black 3

Watchlist

Superhero Movie

17%

32%

Superhero Movie

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Superhero Movie

Crossworlds

%

39%

Crossworlds

Watchlist

Charlie's Angels

68%

45%

Charlie's Angels

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Charlie's Angels

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in August 2022

12 Best Star Wars References in Film

New on Netflix October 2019

View more photos

Synopsis

Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, Kay and Jay are the Men in Black, providers of immigration services and regulators of all things alien on Earth. While investigating a series of unregistered close encounters, the MIB agents uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist who is on a mission to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies currently in residence in New York City.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Producer: Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Screenwriter: Ed Solomon, Lowell Cunningham
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Sony Pictures Television, MacDonald-Parkes, Amblin Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Violence|Language)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $250.1M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now