Ali

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2:55

Ali

R

2001

2h 38m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

149 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

With wit and athletic genius, with defiant rage and inner grace, Muhammad Ali forever changed the American landscape. Fighting all comers, Ali took on the law, conventions, the status quo and the war -- as well as the fists in front of him. Ali both ignited and mirrored the conflicts of his time and ours to become one of the most admired fighters in the world. Forget, now, what you thought you knew.

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Critics Consensus

Though perhaps no film could fully do justice to the fascinating life and personality of Muhammad Ali, Mann's direction and Smith's performance combine to pack a solid punch.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Apr 6, 2020

It has the unsurpassable merit of its main character, Muhammad Ali, who is both one of the most serious people in the world and one of the funniest.

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Wilson Morales

IndieWire

Mar 31, 2020

Smith packed on the pounds, unleashed some great boxing moves, and displayed a level of emotional pull that compelled audiences to see him as The Greatest.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 21, 2010

5/5

Brutal fight scenes and frank racial issues.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 16, 2024

B+

The performances are through the roof in this film.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Feb 22, 2021

3.5/5

The director's cut is the best but any version of Michael Mann's film makes it clear: The rope-a-dope was something Ali perfected outside the ring, cobbled together as a combination move inside only after he reconciled himself to his singular status.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

Apr 16, 2019

4/5

[Michael Mann] successfully recreates an era on screen and provides a great introduction to the fighter that is not clouded by sentimentality.

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Ben W

Feb 11, 2026

Not bad. Pretty good. Something about Will Smith’s performance felt very empty. I can see how he was trying to speak like Ali, but he felt like a robot here and not real. Also, whatever camera they used must not have been built for night shoots. Dark scenes outside looked horrible and completely took me out.

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Tom B

Feb 9, 2026

Some poor writing, directoral & cinematographical choices undercut what could have been a compelling film about one of the more interesting figures in modern American history.

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Taylor

Feb 7, 2026

Always loved this movie since it first came out in 2001. Never got the chance to see it in theaters so seeing it in theaters tonight was special

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Nov 3, 2026

Intense, convincing and beautifully photographed, but it meandered at times and was too long. Will Smith was good, and the music added a lot. The attention to period detail made the setting feel real.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 Oct 29, 2026

Directed by the great Micheal Mann this shows just how good WS is. In my option it is one of his best. With a great supporting cast including JV who gives a great performance. WS delivers a knockout performance and proves that like Ali himself who experienced the greatest comeback ever. This is proof that WS will get his cinema comeback that will be a knockout. For now though enjoy this great film.

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Griffith J

@griffithxjohnson Sep 13, 2026

6/10 This is simply not my kind of movie as boxing & biopics are almost always painfully formulaic & personally uninteresting. Yet it is an obviously well made film with Mann bringing a strong direction & shooting with skill & intention. An important slice of American history with how Muhammad Ali plays into social issues such as the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, & Islamic integration in this country. Such a cocky & arrogant protagonist that I have a hard rooting for & getting invested in him. A fascinating & inspiring story on paper but it’s long, slow, & without a single surprise.

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Michael Mann

Director

Will Smith

Cassius Clay

Jamie Foxx

Drew "Bundini" Brown

Jon Voight

Howard Cosell

Mario Van Peebles

Malcolm X

Ron Silver

Angelo Dundee

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Synopsis

With wit and athletic genius, with defiant rage and inner grace, Muhammad Ali forever changed the American landscape. Fighting all comers, Ali took on the law, conventions, the status quo and the war -- as well as the fists in front of him. Ali both ignited and mirrored the conflicts of his time and ours to become one of the most admired fighters in the world. Forget, now, what you thought you knew.

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: A. Kitman Ho, Paul Ardaji, Jon Peters, James Lassiter
Screenwriter: Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Eric Roth, Gregory Allen Howard
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Picture Entertainment Corporation, Overbrook Entertainment, Forward Pass, Peters Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Initial Entertainment Group
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2001, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.2M
Runtime: 2h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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