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Raising Arizona

Play trailer Poster for Raising Arizona PG-13 Released Mar 1, 1987 1h 33m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
An ex-con and an ex-cop meet, marry and long for a child of their own. When it is discovered that Hi is unable to have children they decide to snatch a baby. They try to keep their crime a secret, while friends, co-workers and a bounty hunter look to use the child for their own purposes.
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Raising Arizona

Raising Arizona

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Critics Consensus

A terrifically original, eccentric screwball comedy, Raising Arizona may not be the Coens' most disciplined movie, but it's one of their most purely entertaining.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Keough Chicago Reader Coens have not achieved the maturity needed to appreciate the vision of a Capra or Sturges, and their gifts are too rich and deep for the likes of Heckle and Jeckle. Rated: 2/4 May 9, 2022 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Raising Arizona is no big deal, but it has a rambunctious charm. Jan 14, 2013 Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine To their old fascination with Sunbelt pathology, to their side-winding Steadicam and pristine command of screen space, the Coens have added a robust humor, a plot that keeps outwitting expectations and a...dollop of sympathy for their forlorn kidnapers. Mar 13, 2009 Full Review Cory Woodroof For the Win (USA Today) It’s a joyous satire about what it takes to raise a baby in a chaotic world and a slick crime caper with unforgettable characters and quirks. Feb 22, 2024 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Two features into their career, Raising Arizona shows that the Coens are as effective with comedies as they were with neo-noir. Rated: 4/5 Feb 7, 2024 Full Review Josh Slater-Williams Vague Visages A distinct calling card for their more overtly comedic instincts; a frenetic farce that combines slapstick sensibilities and giddy playfulness with the English language... Nov 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alexander T This movie is so nostalgic and amazing. It’s super entertaining and perfect no matter how many times I watch it. I definitely recommend it, and I think anybody could enjoy it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/18/25 Full Review Faiz D Incredibly funny and entertaining. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review judy b One of my favorite old movies. I am watching it for the fourth time! The way Nicholas Cage narrates and delivers his lines in such a serious way as if he thought himself to be an intellectual person, when he is clearly not! Holly Hunter speaks the same. Also the Cohen brothers are really into crazy hairstyles for the men in a lot of their movies. I am thinking of George Clooney in “Brother, Where Art Thou”! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/29/25 Full Review Brandon S I really like most of the Coen Bros filmography but I just can't get into this one. It's just hicks doing and saying dumb stuff and then awkward pauses seemingly for the audience to know when to laugh. I like some of the stylistic camera work, but this is just a movie I never want to go back to. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review Audience Member I didn’t laugh all that much, but I still enjoyed it a lot. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review Alec B I get why the movie has endured (besides the enjoyably excessive style the performances are all appropriately maximalist) and while it is isn't my personal favorite of the Coen's work it is still a strong comedy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Raising Arizona

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Movie Info

Synopsis An ex-con and an ex-cop meet, marry and long for a child of their own. When it is discovered that Hi is unable to have children they decide to snatch a baby. They try to keep their crime a secret, while friends, co-workers and a bounty hunter look to use the child for their own purposes.
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Circle Films, Inc.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 1987, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.1M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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