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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65 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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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

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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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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

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Faiz D

Incredibly funny and entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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