The Big Sick

Play trailer

2:27

The Big Sick

R

2017

2h 0m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

306 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Funny, heartfelt, and intelligent, The Big Sick uses its appealing leads and cross-cultural themes to prove the standard romcom formula still has some fresh angles left to explore.

Read Critics Reviews

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

What sets the film apart is an oddness that could only have sprung from real life. That and sincerity, compassion, humanity.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2017

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

After a slow start, the film gradually accumulates funny and surprising details, many of them surely drawn directly from life.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 4, 2017

Full Review

Naman Ramachandran

Sight & Sound

The film's message - that cultures are different but can coexist peacefully - is a welcome one in these riven times.

Aug 1, 2017

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The Big Sick can confidently boast a self-evident punchline that lasts for over two hours and never runs out of the funny or the surprising.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 16, 2024

Full Review

Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

Every laugh is full and genuine, and so are the (good) tears you inevitably will cry.

Oct 23, 2023

Full Review

Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

The characters are funny, but not too funny, the stakes seem real, and you can tell that everyone really cares about each other.

May 12, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Katie D

A little slow to start but it's funny, quirky and great storytelling. I'm glad there was more highlights in the movie beyond what is in the trailer. Great performances, especially Ray Romano and Holly Hunter!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/21

Full Review

judy b

I am watching it again for the third time. It is so different from most “boy meets girl” flicks. It starts out cute and funny and then takes a different turn. Because it envolves a romance between a young Pakistani man who is very Americanized and is also a stand-up comedian, you will be surprised at the turn it takes. I would not be watching it a third time if it was just mediocre.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/25

Full Review

Jose David A

This movie was so genuine. Funny on a very deep level. Reminds you that life is a rolller coaster. Sometimes you’re up sometimes your down

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 2 hours flat!!!!!! Rated R for Some Sexual References, and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved the movie, it was great...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

Jace E

The Big Sick is earnest and honest, two things that make true story screenplays so engaging. I found myself drawn to every aspect of the story and immediately jumped to Google to learn more about Kumail and Emily’s life together after I finished the film. The dialogue is poignant, the characters are real and there is a delicate balance of light-heartedness that is paired with heavy sadness. Of all the characters, I think that Emily’s parents are perfectly cast, with Ray Romano and Holly Hunter crushing their roles. While I loved most of the scenes in the movie, I was particularly charmed by every scene with them in it. Raw, funny, sad, beautiful; there are dozens of words that I could use to describe this film, which is what makes it one of my new favorites. Best Character: Beth/Terry Best Quote: “It was a tragedy, I mean we lost 19 of our best guys.” - Kumail Best Scene: The final stand up routine. (Honorable mention to when Beth gets in bed with Terry) Best Piece of Score: “Voicemail from Emily”

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Michael Showalter

Director

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail

Zoe Kazan

Emily

Holly Hunter

Beth

Ray Romano

Terry

Anupam Kher

Azmat

View more videos

Nobody's Fool

26%

36%

Nobody's Fool

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nobody's Fool

My Dead Boyfriend

0%

30%

My Dead Boyfriend

Watchlist

TRAILER

for My Dead Boyfriend

Bridget Jones's Baby

78%

64%

Bridget Jones's Baby

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bridget Jones's Baby

Lucky Break

33%

54%

Lucky Break

Watchlist

We'll Never Have Paris

33%

19%

We'll Never Have Paris

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Roxana Hadadi, Pop Culture Critic

Where to Watch Every 2018 Oscar Nominee

Writers Guild: 2018 Film and Television Winners Announced

The Big Sick: Trailer 1

2:27

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.

Director: Michael Showalter
Producer: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel
Screenwriter: Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani
Distributor: Amazon Studios, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: FilmNation, Apatow Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.9M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now