Overview
A group of soldiers embarks on a wild quest for gold amidst the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- caustic
- irreverent
- visceral
- action movie night
- political film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, exciting blend of action, comedy, drama, and pointed anti-war politics.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The soldiers' treasure hunt exposes civilian suffering and challenges official assumptions about the Gulf War.
Archie Gates and his companions initially pursue stolen gold but become involved in rescuing endangered Iraqis.
The film emphasizes the bodily impact of bullets, explosions, and battlefield trauma rather than treating combat as bloodless spectacle.
Deadpan banter and treasure-hunt adventure repeatedly collide with brutal violence and anger over military policy.
Films like Three Kings, and why
Jarhead
Shares a Gulf War setting, anti-war perspective, abrasive humor, and morally complicated soldiers confronting the consequences of military intervention.
Three Kings
Combines combat action, political anger, dark humor, and a morally charged heist structure in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
M*A*S*H
Blends war-film intensity with dark comedy, ensemble camaraderie, and an increasingly critical view of military violence.
Kelly's Heroes
Shares a heist structure, cynical humor, shifting loyalties, and soldiers pursuing treasure amid the chaos of war.
Movie Details
- Director
- David O. Russell
- Release Date
- 1999-09-27
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (2386)
Cast
- George Clooney
- Mark Wahlberg
- Ice Cube
- Spike Jonze
- Cliff Curtis
- Nora Dunn
- Jamie Kennedy
- Saïd Taghmaoui
- Mykelti Williamson
- Holt McCallany
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Three Kings about?
- Three American soldiers turn a gold heist in post-Gulf War Iraq into a violent, darkly comic confrontation with the human cost of intervention.
- What is Three Kings like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Three Kings as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Three Kings violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Three Kings as graphic.
- What did critics think of Three Kings?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, exciting blend of action, comedy, drama, and pointed anti-war politics.
- Which films are like Three Kings?
- Films with a similar feel include Jarhead, Three Kings, M*A*S*H, and Kelly's Heroes.
- How long is Three Kings?
- Three Kings runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Three Kings?
- In United States, Three Kings streams on Philo.
