Purple Rain

R

Now Playing

1 hr. 51 min.

Musical

Drama

Romance

List

72%

57 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.

Read More

Read Less

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Purple Rain on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Purple Rain makes for undeniably uneven cinema, but it's held together by its star's singular charisma -- not to mention a slew of classic songs.

Read Critics Reviews

Kimberlee

Best concert movie and artist of our time. Happy Birthday Prince!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/23

Full Review

RarnChild

First time I've seen this movie - I was busy having babies in the mid-80s. Prince was amazing - I think his death hit me harder than any other celebrity. I enjoyed this movie so much. I'm so glad I got to see it on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/22

Full Review

James H

Prince rocks in his film debut as the kid with an oscar winning soundtrack

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Valerie

This movie resonates with me more than any other movie, probably because of the circumstances under which I saw the movie for the first time. I was with Rick James, Prince's nemesis. You see, Rick had a competitive thing with Prince... they would show up at each other's concerts... and try to one up each other. Rick really had a jealousy toward Prince (not sure why). Unbeknownst to Rick, I was, and had been a huge!!!! Prince fan! And here I was, on my way to Westwood Theatres with Rick to see Purple Rain! And, it didn't disappoint. I was in awe! I loved the music, The movie only solidified my love for Prince and his music. After, back at the hotel, Rick and his entourage all talked about the movie they were going to write... which never transpired. And now here I sit, some 40 years later... this movie just came on, and it all took me back to that day! It still holds up for me; its artsy, and so so so Prince!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Koi P

It is fresh, artistic, and Prince.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

Full Review

Pear talks

Its alright, not that great but the soundtrack is great of course with Purple Rain being one of the greatest albums of all time. Prince is a decent actor

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Albert Magnoli

Director

Prince

The Kid

Apollonia Kotero

Apollonia

Morris Day

Morris

Jerome Benton

Jerome

Clarence Williams III

Father

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

60%

78%

Vision Quest

15%

26%

The Bonfire of the Vanities

97%

91%

Once

TRAILER

for Once

38%

64%

The Bodyguard

51%

61%

One From the Heart

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Amy Sedaris’s Five Favorite Films

TV Composers Quiz: How Well Do You Know These Melody Makers?

Prince: 1958-2016

View more photos

Eric Deggans

NPR

Purple Rain became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music.

Nov 28, 2019

Full Review

Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

Even those who aren't Prince fans are likely to be captivated by its energy, enamored with its simple, often poignant storyline.

Aug 7, 2018

Full Review

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

Catharsis on the cheap; there's no reason to accept the pretense that the hero has suffered much and changed for the better unless you're predisposed to get swoony over Prince himself.

Apr 23, 2018

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a good example of how talent can flatter to deceive…

Rated: 3/5

Jun 17, 2023

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

I recommend it as a piece of 80s pop culture with some great music and corny romance. At the very least check out the soundtrack. It's legendary!

Rated: 7/10

Sep 16, 2022

Full Review

Sean Collier

Box Office Prophets

Not much about Purple Rain should work - and yet everything does.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 28, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.

Director: Albert Magnoli
Screenwriter: Albert Magnoli, William Blinn
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Purple Films, Warner Bros.
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 22, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 15, 2008
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now