Overview
A day of unexpected chaos unfolds as friends navigate the challenges of life and friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- crass
- witty
- casual movie night
- comedy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film loosely constructed but highly entertaining because of its consistently crass humor and the energetic charm of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Craig and Smokey through street-level relationships, local bullies, drug debt, family life, and neighborhood tensions in South Central Los Angeles.
The plot unfolds over Friday, beginning after Craig's firing and intensifying through Smokey's debt, Big Worm's threats, and Deebo's presence.
Smokey's marijuana use and failure to repay Big Worm drive the comic predicament while Craig attempts to contain the consequences.
Craig and the surrounding residents must contend with Deebo's bullying and physical dominance within the local community.
Films like Friday, and why
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
shared hood comedy setting, male friendship, irreverent humor, and neighborhood conflict
Half Baked
shared urban ensemble comedy, crime-adjacent trouble, drug humor, and charismatic buddy dynamics
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
shared slacker protagonists, stoner comedy, male friendship, and episodic misadventures over a single day
Boyz n the Hood
shared working-class urban setting, family tensions, street-level conflict, and comedy drama tone
Movie Details
- Director
- F. Gary Gray
- Release Date
- 1995-04-26
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (2111)
Cast
- Ice Cube
- Chris Tucker
- Nia Long
- Tommy Lister Jr.
- John Witherspoon
- Anna Maria Horsford
- Regina King
- Paula Jai Parker
- Faizon Love
- DJ Pooh
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Friday about?
- Over one chaotic Friday in South Central Los Angeles, a newly fired young man tries to keep his reckless friend alive, his neighborhood rival contained, and his own life from unraveling.
- What is Friday like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Friday as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Friday violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Friday as moderate.
- What did critics think of Friday?
- Critics broadly found the film loosely constructed but highly entertaining because of its consistently crass humor and the energetic charm of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
- Which films are like Friday?
- Films with a similar feel include Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, and Boyz n the Hood.
- How long is Friday?
- Friday runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Friday?
- In United States, Friday is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
