8 Mile

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8 Mile

R

2002

1h 50m

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

210 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) from where and who he wants to be. A provocative fictional examination of a critical week in Jimmy's life.

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Critics Consensus

Even though the story is overly familiar, there's enough here for an engaging ride.

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Barbara Ellen

The Times (UK)

Jan 2, 2018

While not exactly wow, Eminem is solid and credible in a role which could so easily have screeched like chalk across a wet blackboard.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Apr 7, 2014

It's easy to like Jimmy Smith as well as to admire him, because Mr. Mathers lets us in, with no sign of calculation, on the kindness, even tenderness, that Jimmy conceals from most of the people around him.

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David Denby

The New Yorker

Apr 7, 2014

In the tradition of Rocky and Fever, the movie is a shrewdly engineered piece of proletarian pop -- a story of triumph -- but, like Eminem's enraged lyrics, 8 Mile has its own kind of vile candor.

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Sean Fallon

Film Inquiry

May 6, 2023

Overall, 8 Mile is a very entertaining movie. Its lead performance is still strong away from Eminem’s initial massive fame.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Feb 18, 2022

3/4

...a low-key, character-study-like premise thats employed to persistently watchable (and periodically electrifying) effect...

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Feb 16, 2021

Flashes of genuine rebellion appear in 8 Mile, but they are few and far between. The film's conclusion is thoroughly conformist and predictable.

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JohnWickingYou

May 2, 2026

EMINEM IS THE GOAT!!!!!!

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

8 Mile = a *3* star Movie!

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Austin B

@RT35999578 Sep 12, 2026

Austin B Boswellllgmailcom

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L Nguyn G

@Kev1n_L33 Sep 3, 2026

Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

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Mark B

@Burrellius Aug 22, 2026

I have watched this several times over the years including recently on Blue-ray at home. I love a music related movie. This this one has some real high points, especially the key rap "battle" and I absolutely love it. Definitely recommended.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Aug 17, 2026

8 Mile is a surprisingly solid film, and Eminem genuinely impressed me with his acting. I wasn’t expecting Marshall Mathers to bring the kind of acting chops he displayed here, but he proved he could carry a dramatic role beyond his career as a rapper. The movie is especially entertaining for fans of Eminem and hip-hop, but there is enough here for general audiences as well. The screenplay is mostly well constructed, although some moments feel uneven and certain story beats could have been handled more effectively. The story occasionally misses the mark, but it generally pulls itself together and creates a compelling journey. Eminem’s performance gives the film an authenticity that makes his character’s struggles feel personal, especially when exploring ambition, poverty, confidence, and the pressure of trying to make something of yourself. I do think the movie benefited heavily from Eminem’s popularity at the time, which may have caused some audiences to view it more a miss

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Eminem

Jimmy Smith, Jr.

Kim Basinger

Stephanie

Brittany Murphy

Alex

Mekhi Phifer

Future

Evan Jones

Cheddar Bob

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Synopsis

The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) from where and who he wants to be. A provocative fictional examination of a critical week in Jimmy's life.

Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: Brian Grazer, Curtis Hanson, Jimmy Iovine
Screenwriter: Scott Silver
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment
Rating: R (Sexuality|Drug Use|Some Violence|Strong Language)
Genre: Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $116.7M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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