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Miss Congeniality

Play trailer Poster for Miss Congeniality PG-13 Released Dec 22, 2000 1h 45m Comedy Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
41% Tomatometer 116 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When a terrorist threatens to bomb the Miss United States pageant, the FBI rushes to find a female agent to go under cover as a contestant. Unfortunately, Gracie is the only female FBI agent who can "look the part" despite her complete lack of refinement and femininity. She prides herself in being "just one of the boys" and is horrified at the idea of becoming a girly girl.
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Miss Congeniality

Miss Congeniality

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Critics Consensus

Though critics say Bullock is funny and charming, she can't overcome a bad script that makes the movie feel too much like a fluffy, unoriginal sitcom.

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Critics Reviews

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Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer It's a likeable comedy with many pratfalls, a couple laugh-out-loud moments, and a deep understanding of pageant superficiality. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 5, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Pleasant and entertaining; for teens and older. Rated: 4/5 Dec 26, 2010 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out While there may not be many surprises, there's little to dislike either. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Here's Sandra Bullock doing what she has always done - playfully splashing about in the middle of the mainstream. Those who enjoy a little mindless diversion won't mind getting wet once again. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 11, 2020 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Its story is far from logical, let alone realistic, yet we laugh and completely buy into the fun. Rated: 3/4 Feb 15, 2010 Full Review Gerry Gallo Hollywood.com Rated: 2/5 Nov 20, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Anri Sandra Bullock is my favorite actress and this is one of my all-time favorites! Great acting, chemistry and humor! Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt work so well together and with her. Two thumbs way, way, way up and a definite must-see. So glad I got to see this again in theaters! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/08/25 Full Review Nic S Growing up, I’ve always found Miss Congeniality to be extremely fun and a constant rewatch favourite in my household. Now, I decided to look at it through a somewhat unbiased lens with fresh eyes. The verdict: Miss Congeniality is pretty great. There’s something so comforting, so new and engaging every time I watch it. Sandra Bullock as the tomboyish, rough around the edges Gracie Hart yet the most loyal softy at heart created a beloved character women don’t get to see often. Gracie embraced her prominent masculine traits and those skills got her to her goals in a male dominative field. I also love how this film is a not so subtle commentary on how young women are solely valued in America, mainly for your looks and body, despite being the so called biggest “college scholarship program”. Despite the disdain for those participating in such an event are clearly on display, even by the main character herself, the culprits are never the girls. In a culture that always pits women against each other, especially as the setting is more so a competition format, the main focus of this film is these girls’ friendships. We never see them hating, mocking or actively sabotaging each other, which we’ve seen so much of time and time again. Instead, when Gracie is clueless about makeup and hair, the contestants gather around without prompting, lipstick and hairbrush readily in hand to help. Amidst a great, cohesive ensemble cast, a believable romance plot and an integrative “who dun it” mystery, at its core, this is a women-centric film. It’s a film by women, for women. Not shying away from the pervasive male gaze still ever-present or overtly shoving down our throats “girl power” mantras just for the sake of it - but instead, in a simple and loving way, demonstrating the nuances of what it’s like to be a women in a patriarchal Western society, working harder than anyone else to never be doubted while simultaneously being able to let your guard down; and most of all, see another individual for who they are (not what society, influential figures or the people around you stereotype them to be). And, that’s enough. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/26/25 Full Review matthias s **3.5/5 – A Powder-Puffed Classic That Still Packs a Punch** *Miss Congeniality* is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food — cheesy, familiar, and somehow always hits the spot. My sister and I watched this nonstop as kids, and revisiting it from her hospital bed brought back all the feels. Sandra Bullock in full chaotic tomboy-to-glam mode is iconic, and Michael Caine’s dry sass still steals scenes. The plot? Totally ridiculous. But that’s the fun. Every scene has a quotable gem or a slapstick moment that sticks. The cast is stacked (hello, Candice Bergen and William Shatner?!), and while the stereotypes are loud, they’re played with such wink-wink charm you can’t help but laugh along. It’s not trying to be deep — it just wants to entertain. Mission accomplished. Watching it again now, it’s clear: this isn’t just a movie. It’s a shared memory in sparkly heels and FBI gear. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Audience Member Liked how it progressed from an action film to a romance. I enjoyed that it showed very real feelings of a man-like woman not going with the standards, even if forced to do it. Showed how woman still have power and control. despite the set expectations from society. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/23/25 Full Review Alex Z Sandra Bullock carries this movie and makes it a fun watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Jessica D This film is kind of boring. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Miss Congeniality

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a terrorist threatens to bomb the Miss United States pageant, the FBI rushes to find a female agent to go under cover as a contestant. Unfortunately, Gracie is the only female FBI agent who can "look the part" despite her complete lack of refinement and femininity. She prides herself in being "just one of the boys" and is horrified at the idea of becoming a girly girl.
Director
Donald Petrie
Producer
Sandra Bullock
Screenwriter
Katie Ford, Marc Lawrence, Caryn Lucas
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Castle Rock Entertainment, Fortis Films, Village Roadshow Prod., NPV Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual References|Scene of Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$106.8M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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