The Fighting Temptations

Play trailer

2:22

The Fighting Temptations

PG-13

2003

2h 2m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

108 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background and education are discovered. Soon after, he returns to his small Georgia hometown to collect an inheritance from his Aunt Sally (Ann Nesby). To receive it, he must lead the church choir to victory in a gospel competition. With the help of childhood friend Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), now a beautiful singer, Darrin gets the choir ready to perform.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The music is the only saving grace in this predictable and eager-to-please comedy.

Read Critics Reviews

Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

Nov 9, 2018

This is a bellyaching, foot-stomping, hoot-and-hollering movie for any crowd.

Go to Full Review

Neil Norman

London Evening Standard

Jan 11, 2018

A shamelessly feelgood movie with a lightweight moral theme involving honesty, prejudice and hypocrisy, it narrowly keeps its head above the cliches by virtue of its attractive star and musical numbers.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

3/5

Great music, mediocre plot and acting.

Go to Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

Apr 17, 2019

1/5

The ensuing life lesson drama has all the spice of a bowl of oats.

Go to Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Jun 14, 2009

C-

The indifferent gospel music that permeates the movie never solidifies with the dramatic might that the genre is known for...

Go to Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Aug 7, 2008

2/5

Read all reviews

Stephen C

@bob25009 May 12, 2025

LOL, 2 hours and 2 minutes of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $30,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Javarious B

@RT69929779 Jan 25, 2025

Great movie for those who are into Church and God. It has a story of a mother who was a backslider who lost her life to the streets and a grandmother who filed the roles of a mother. Two young children reunited after years and with the help of a liar and thief and prisoners and the community help they found a way to get along and save a Church and town. It's a beautiful story wish they would have made a remake or part 2

See more

Apr 10, 2022

Ages 13+ only, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny and romantic.

See more

May 30, 2021

Reminds me of my church choir. The humor and gospel music are so much needed during this pandemic. I have watched it over and over again because of the way it lifts my spirit. I love it. Good for families with children too!

See more

Jan 8, 2021

Feel good movie with a great soundtrack. Sad to realize that a sequel was shelved.

See more

uncle p

@RT30466687 Feb 16, 2020

Story/Screenplay: (3/5) The story was good, but the screenplay was less than it could have been. Should have been funnier. Duration/Tempo: (3/5) At 2 hours and 3 minutes, it's a long movie that feels longer. Not good. Cast & Crew: (3.5/5) Cuba Gooding Jr. did well and was likable. Beyonce was memorable. Summary: (3/5) The base story was good and the cast was pleasant. The actual screenplay was a miss, and the movie should have been 15 to 30 minutes shorter.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jonathan Lynn

Director

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Darrin Hill

Beyoncé

Lilly

Melba Moore

Bessie Cooley

Mike Epps

Lucius

Shirley Caesar

Self

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Sally's Dying Wish

2:00

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Barbershop Quartet

1:27

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - No Sinners in the Choir

1:19

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Fever

1:45

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Welcome Home

2:11

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Aunt Sally's Funeral

1:29

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Choir Auditions

2:08

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - You're Fired

1:45

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Fighting Temptation

1:10

Now Playing

The Fighting Temptations: Official Clip - Singing for the Inmates

2:03

Now Playing

View more videos

The Longest Yard

31%

62%

The Longest Yard

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Longest Yard

Orange County

47%

61%

Orange County

Watchlist

The School of Rock

92%

64%

The School of Rock

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The School of Rock

Mean Girls

84%

66%

Mean Girls

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mean Girls

Last Holiday

57%

67%

Last Holiday

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Last Holiday

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Fighting Temptations: Trailer 1

2:22

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background and education are discovered. Soon after, he returns to his small Georgia hometown to collect an inheritance from his Aunt Sally (Ann Nesby). To receive it, he must lead the church choir to victory in a gospel competition. With the help of childhood friend Lilly (Beyoncé Knowles), now a beautiful singer, Darrin gets the choir ready to perform.

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Producer: David Gale, Jeff Pollack
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hunter, Saladin K. Patterson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Handprint Entertainment, MTV Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings