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Malcolm X

Play trailer Poster for Malcolm X PG-13 1992 3h 21m Biography History Drama Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 84 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
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Malcolm X

Malcolm X

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by a powerful performance from Denzel Washington, Spike Lee's biopic of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X brings his autobiography to life with an epic sweep and a nuanced message.

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Critics Reviews

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Lynden Barber Sydney Morning Herald 12/14/2023
Unusually rich, absorbing and often brilliant film-making, an epic deserving of the description. But that doesn't stop it from being worryingly ambiguous. Go to Full Review Neil Jillett The Age (Australia) 12/14/2023
The film has no psychological depth and not much sense of history. It takes a purely surface view of people and events. Go to Full Review Bob Longino Atlanta Journal-Constitution 10/09/2023
A-
The movie is long -- 202 minutes -- but Lee earns every tick of the clock, illuminating the many developmental moments in Malcolm X’s personality. Go to Full Review Joe Flockhart Loud and Clear Reviews Mar 2
4.5/5
30 years on, Spike Lee’s ambitious biographical epic Malcolm X still has not lost its educational, entertaining and emotional power. Go to Full Review Clotilde Chinnici The People's Movies 08/19/2025
4/5
Ultimately, it is safe to say that Malcolm X is one of Spike Lee’s best films, one that has established him as one of the greatest American directors working today. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse 07/12/2025
Malcolm X deftly [navigates] that wide gulf between personal identity and public image, providing illumination, criticism, and commemoration in equal measure. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Don Boom May 20 An excellent look into the life of an Afro-American legend of civil rights. See more laura 02/27/2025 every preconception i had about this movie was that it was a masterpiece, and still i ended up walking out of the theater astounded and lost for words. See more RonaldMovieCritic . @RonaldMiamiMovieCritic Aug 14 Great Movie!!! Highly Recommended!!! A++ 🍿🎥🍿 See more Scott M @RT75128960 Jul 4 The acting by Denzel carries the film. The hatred towards whites throughout the movie is somewhat racist. I don't believe Malcolm X hated white people. I think he hated what they did. Overall the movie is a letdown because Spike preaches too much. See more Mickey B. @Mickerdoo Jun 11 A shame that even then Afro Americans couldn’t find common ground . Definitely a problem to raise up a faulted human prophet in Elijah. See more S. O @Col._Angus Jun 5 Words alomost escape me, other than to say an amazing, powerful, biographical film. If you aren't familiar with Malcolm X or the journey his life took, I can't recommend this enough. Spoiler alert: The Nation of Islam murdered Malcolm X See more Read all reviews
Malcolm X

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Cast & Crew

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Spike Lee

Director

Denzel Washington

Malcolm X

Angela Bassett

Betty Shabazz

Albert Hall

Baines

Al Freeman Jr.

Elijah Muhammad

Delroy Lindo

West Indian Archie

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Malcolm X

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Malcolm X

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Movie Info

Synopsis A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
Director
Spike Lee
Producer
Marvin Worth
Screenwriter
Alex Haley, Malcolm X, Arnold Perl, James Baldwin
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
JVC Entertainment, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Largo International N.V.
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Biography, History, Drama, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.1M
Runtime
3h 21m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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