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Queen of Katwe

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Queen of Katwe PG Released Sep 30, 2016 2h 4m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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 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. Mar 1, 2021 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 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. Rated: A Mar 22, 2017 Full Review Aramide Tinubu Shadow and Act 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. Jan 23, 2017 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 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. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 11, 2022 Full Review Jennifer Merin AWFJ.org With great truth-based story in the hands of a brilliant woman director, this film brings women into their rightful place in moviemaking. Nov 4, 2021 Full Review Kip Mooney College Movie Review While there's no points for originality, Queen of Katwe still scores a win. Rated: B+ Aug 28, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael W 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/24 Full Review David M 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/17/23 Full Review isla s 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Aidan C Great movie, and very inspirational. I'm not a huge chess fan, but I was engaged the entire time. The acting was great, but there were some little things that made this review a 4.5 instead of a 5. Overall great movie, and would definitely recommend! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/10/22 Full Review paul d 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A young woman, named Phiona, living in the slums of Uganda, finds out she is a prodigy of chess and changes her life forever. Based on a true story, this film works well and I was engaged and rooting for Phiona. Lupita Nyong'o plays Phiona's mother and she was the standout in the acting department. There was a scene or two that I felt deserved a reshoot for the acting being sub-par to the rest of the film. A good film that I think is worth your time. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review 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
Cine Mosaic, Mirabai Films
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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