Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- witty
- heightened
- retro movie night
- crime comedy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly directed, shallow, and stereotyped gangster comedy despite its talented cast and period ambitions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sugar Ray's illegal casino, competing hoodlums, and escalating tricks frame the story as a comic underworld spectacle.
The film places an African American criminal ensemble in Harlem while concentrating on nightclub glamour and mobster mythology.
Sugar Ray must keep his casino operating while facing vicious gangsters and corrupt police officers.
The casino and gangland environs, along with costume-focused production design, dominate the film's visual world.
Films like Harlem Nights, and why
The Sting
shared crime comedy, gangster rivalry, and irreverent ensemble energy
Bugsy Malone
shared period organized crime setting, comic tone, and colorful criminal schemes
A Bronx Tale
shared hoodlum comedy, charismatic ensemble, and stylized underworld conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Eddie Murphy
- Release Date
- 1989-11-17
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (373)
Cast
- Eddie Murphy
- Richard Pryor
- Redd Foxx
- Danny Aiello
- Michael Lerner
- Della Reese
- Berlinda Tolbert
- Stan Shaw
- Jasmine Guy
- Vic Polizos
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, YouTube TV, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Harlem Nights about?
- A Harlem casino owner deploys wit, loyalty, and dirty tricks to defend his illicit empire from gangsters and crooked cops.
- What is Harlem Nights like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Harlem Nights as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Harlem Nights violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Harlem Nights as moderate.
- What did critics think of Harlem Nights?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly directed, shallow, and stereotyped gangster comedy despite its talented cast and period ambitions.
- Which films are like Harlem Nights?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sting, Bugsy Malone, and A Bronx Tale.
- How long is Harlem Nights?
- Harlem Nights runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Harlem Nights?
- In United States, Harlem Nights streams on Philo, YouTube TV, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
