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Queen of Katwe

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Queen of Katwe PG 2016 2h 4m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 188 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Phiona becomes fascinated with the game and soon becomes a top player under Katende's guidance. Her success in local competitions and tournaments opens the door to a bright future and a golden chance to escape from a life of poverty.
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Queen of Katwe

Queen of Katwe

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Critics Consensus

Queen of Katwe is a feel-good movie of uncommon smarts and passion, and outstanding performances by Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo help to elevate the film past its cliches.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephanie Abraham Bitch Media 03/01/2021
Queen of Katwe is still a bright addition to Disney's roster. As audiences and actors demand more complex roles for people of color, let's hope we see more groundbreaking projects like this one. Go to Full Review
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 03/22/2017
A
Oyelowo and Nyong'o's performances temper the film with heart-wrenching emotion. And Mira Nair's touching portrait of Katwe's inspiring young queen with a dream is one to remember. Go to Full Review
Aramide Tinubu Shadow and Act 01/23/2017
Overall, the film is not without its flaws. However, in the end, you aren't just rooting for Phiona, but also for all of those who have found themselves in similar situations. Go to Full Review
Calvin Law The Asian Cut Jul 23
4/5
In a way, 'Queen of Katwe' recalls a film like 'October Sky,' where the underdog story beats are expected, yet there is a joy in it all the same. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 04/11/2022
3.5/4
The film plucks our heartstrings and, despite our awareness of its manipulative formula and inherent melodrama, it nonetheless accomplishes everything the story sets out to do with impressive precision. Go to Full Review
Jennifer Merin AWFJ.org 11/04/2021
With great truth-based story in the hands of a brilliant woman director, this film brings women into their rightful place in moviemaking. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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tiago m Nov 18 É um filme muito bom. Ele cumpre muito bem o seu propósito. See more Jonathan K Aug 10 A solid, heartwarming, moving true story with good performances -- which I’m always here for. But the production and photography had some real made-for-TV energy. My favorite part might have been at the end when the real people stood next to the actors playing them; it was a cool human touch. See more Michael W @mawilps 02/10/2024 This family sports movie was great. David Oyelowo, Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong'o, Martin Kabanza, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. This true story about the chess master Phiona Nutesi from Uganda was dramatic, inspirational, and incredible. It's about finding what you're good at and never giving up on it no matter what. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a great movie for an entire family. See more David M 04/17/2023 A film with a warm heart and good intentions may be at risk of misrepresenting itself a little. A true life sports film (if we count chess as a sport) that hits all the beats of the typical sports film whilst pulling off the neat trick of being accessible to all ages but not soft-selling the realities of poverty pf the complex issues of what it means to seek to move upward on society in such circumstances. It's never not fun, and though the two central actors take most attention, the real prizes should go to the largely untested local cast who embody and exude their roles beautifully. It's a genuine, kind-spirited film that deserves wider attention. See more isla s 09/03/2022 This is a reasonably interesting story that highlights the racism and prejudice towards lower social classes present within Africa at the time its set, as seen through the eyes of the young children, more specifically Phiona Mutesi. It felt like a somewhat important piece of social history I suppose. Its not an especially memorable film or one that will likely excite or wow you but its interesting generally and, perhaps more to the point, its based on a true story. Its a film suitable for family viewing for the most part, with just one scene featuring a character calling out in pain but nothing graphic is shown. It is a little corny but still I would recommend this film as a Sunday evening sort of a film. See more paul d @MoroseMusician 03/27/2022 Beautifully filmed and acted movie that tells the inspirational true story of a nine-year-old girl who discovered she had an extraordinary talent for playing chess. See more Read all reviews
Queen of Katwe

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Movie Info

Synopsis Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Phiona becomes fascinated with the game and soon becomes a top player under Katende's guidance. Her success in local competitions and tournaments opens the door to a bright future and a golden chance to escape from a life of poverty.
Director
Mira Nair
Producer
Lydia Dean Pilcher, John B. Carls
Screenwriter
William Wheeler
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Mirabai Films, Cine Mosaic
Rating
PG (Some Suggestive Material|An Accident Scene|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 30, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.9M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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