Raising Arizona

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Raising Arizona

PG-13

Released Mar 1, 1987

1h 33m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

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64 Reviews

85%

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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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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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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

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Raising Arizona is no big deal, but it has a rambunctious charm.

Jan 14, 2013

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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

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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

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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

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Amiably gonzo pretty much nonstop.

Rated: A+

Aug 31, 2022

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Gareth v

A wildly imaginative and endearingly weird comedy with soul. Vintage Coen brothers, fast, funny, and oddly profound. One of the best movies of 1987.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Audience Member

The comedy in this movie is somehow lost on my family, but I laugh through Raising Arizona no matter how many times I watch it. It tickles my funny bone like no other, and based on the popular ratings, I see I'm not alone —hilarious script and acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Jake S.

Peak Coen Brothers and perhaps Nic Cage’s finest performance

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $21,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Kafe R

Possibly the highest idea-to-screen-minute ratio movie ive ever seen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Nicolas Cage

H.I. McDonnough

Holly Hunter

Edwina "Ed" McDonnough

Trey Wilson

Nathan Arizona, Sr.

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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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