Hustle & Flow

Play trailer

2:24

Hustle & Flow

R

2005

1h 55m

Crime

Drama

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

160 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

DJay is a pimp living day to day on the tough streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Pushing 40, he's tired of the life he's living and dreams of something greater. When he meets up with an old friend who is now in the recording industry, he's inspired to turn his life around and uses his criminal life as an inspiration to create rap music. When he hears that a rap superstar is coming to town, DJay works a hustle to gain the rapper's attention and hopefully get signed by a label.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Hustle & Flow is gritty and redemptive, with a profound sense of place and exciting music.

Read Critics Reviews

Wilson Morales

IndieWire

Mar 31, 2020

Hustle & Flow certainly is among the emotional, uplifting feel good films that folks love to watch more than once.

Go to Full Review

Heather Havrilesky

Salon.com

Jul 16, 2019

Hustle & Flow is everything you want a film to be: unpredictable, daring, clever, heartwarming.

Go to Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Nov 1, 2007

Howard redeems this lumpy fantasy. Soft-spoken and mysterious, he presides over the movie with a dangerous, feline grace.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 8, 2023

3/4

This picture takes few false steps as it details the efforts of all its characters (not just DJay) to find some purpose in their lives.

Go to Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Apr 22, 2021

3/5

This is a two hour movie that flew by. It was fun in some aspects, the music was tight and just clicked well.

Go to Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

Apr 22, 2021

3/5

I really liked the performances. It was dope that everyone gave it 110% for this.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

Hustle and Flow = a *4* star Movie!

See more

Rodolfo S.

@RT85045214 Aug 18, 2026

A stoic looks at the rap game must watch

See more

David S

@IH8Phags69 Jul 12, 2026

Yeah that's right, everybody feel sorry for the abusive pimp! 😒

See more

Daniel D

@DanoRydde Jun 9, 2026

Hustle & Flow is one of those films that hit me on a personal level; it’s not just a story about music, it’s about ambition, struggle, and the relentless drive to rise above circumstances. Terrence Howard’s performance as DJay felt raw and authentic, capturing the grind of someone who refuses to be defined by hardship. The film’s soundtrack, especially "It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp," wasn’t just catchy; it embodied the grit and determination of chasing a dream against all odds. The movie is a reminder that creativity can be born out of struggle, and that passion can transform even the toughest situations into something powerful. It’s inspiring, emotional, and unforgettable, definitely deserving of a full star rating.

See more

Jack F

@MovieFan111 Mar 26, 2026

Great movie. Definitely a classic. Really cool music and overall story. I love the title as well.

See more

Damon G

@Dmoney420 Feb 22, 2026

Classic movie 10 out of 10 way before movies starting getting lgbtq stuff in them they don't make movies like these any more

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Craig Brewer

Director

Terrence Howard

Djay

Anthony Anderson

Key

Taryn Manning

Nola

Taraji P. Henson

Shug

Paula Jai Parker

Lexus

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - What Do You Want?

2:03

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Standing Up To Skinny

2:09

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - On the Radio

1:31

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - A Mix Tape for Skinny

2:11

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Shake It Real Fast

2:13

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Man Ain't Like a Dog

1:54

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Whoop That Trick

2:13

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Hard Out Here for a Pimp

2:13

Now Playing

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Spiritual Experience

2:13

Now Playing

View more videos

Turn It Up

10%

25%

Turn It Up

Watchlist

Rock Star

53%

59%

Rock Star

Watchlist

8 Mile

76%

54%

8 Mile

Watchlist

Whiplash

94%

94%

Whiplash

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Whiplash

Patti Cake$

86%

78%

Patti Cake$

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Patti Cake$

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Hustle & Flow: Trailer 1

2:24

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

DJay is a pimp living day to day on the tough streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Pushing 40, he's tired of the life he's living and dreams of something greater. When he meets up with an old friend who is now in the recording industry, he's inspired to turn his life around and uses his criminal life as an inspiration to create rap music. When he hears that a rap superstar is coming to town, DJay works a hustle to gain the rapper's attention and hopefully get signed by a label.

Director: Craig Brewer
Producer: Stephanie Allain, John Singleton
Distributor: MTV Productions
Production Co: New Deal Productions, Paramount, Homegrown Pictures, Crunk Pictures
Rating: R (Sex and Drug Content|Pervasive Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 22, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings