Malcolm X

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Malcolm X

PG-13

1992

3h 21m

Biography

History

Drama

Crime

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Popcornmeter

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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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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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 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.

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Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

Dec 14, 2023

The film has no psychological depth and not much sense of history. It takes a purely surface view of people and events.

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Bob Longino

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Oct 9, 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.

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Joe Flockhart

Loud and Clear Reviews

Mar 2, 2026

4.5/5

30 years on, Spike Lee’s ambitious biographical epic Malcolm X still has not lost its educational, entertaining and emotional power.

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Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

Aug 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.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 12, 2025

Malcolm X deftly [navigates] that wide gulf between personal identity and public image, providing illumination, criticism, and commemoration in equal measure.

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Don Boom

May 20, 2026

An excellent look into the life of an Afro-American legend of civil rights.

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laura

Feb 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.

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Janav S

@TheCoolJ92781 Sep 28, 2026

One of the best of Spike Lee's joints, and certainly Denzel Washington's best and iconic role. I found it a bit over the top with the religion and "white devil" bits, but it is still a masterpiece in filmmaking.

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Fro T

@frothizzlereviews Sep 18, 2026

Denzel was at his magnum opus portraying Malcolm X. He’s absolutely dynamite, and pitch perfect in this role. Fantastic direction from Spike Lee, and great acting from the entire cast, (Delroy Lindo shout out). A wonderful score from Terence Blanchard. The assassination scene is extremely horrifying, and is one of the most impactful scenes I’ve ever sat through. Malcolm X is in my Top 5 films of all time. 11/10

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 5, 2026

Malcom X = a *4 and 1/2* star movie!

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RonaldMovieCritic .

@RonaldMiamiMovieCritic Aug 14, 2026

Great Movie!!! Highly Recommended!!! A++ 🍿🎥🍿

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Denzel Washington

Malcolm X

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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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