Overview
A powerful tale of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- intense
- raw
- determined
- music movie night
- biopic double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the compelling real-life story and the powerhouse performances by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, while recognizing the film as an energetic and emotionally powerful music biopic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Anna Mae Bullock's transformation into Tina Turner, from joining Ike Turner's band through professional success and personal independence.
Ike's escalating physical and psychological violence dominates Tina's marriage and threatens her career and autonomy.
Anna Mae develops from Ike's band singer into Tina Turner, reclaiming her public identity and professional agency.
Recording studios, touring, and stage performances make Tina's voice and showmanship central to the film's dramatic momentum.
Films like What's Love Got to Do with It, and why
Ray
music biopic centered on a charismatic performer, abusive personal relationships, and a hard-won artistic breakthrough
Coal Miner's Daughter
acclaimed musical biography driven by powerhouse lead acting, racial history, and the costs of fame
Walk the Line
emotionally intense singer biopic combining performance, celebrity, addiction, and personal trauma
Judy
biographical drama about a gifted musician overcoming exploitation and destructive relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian Gibson
- Release Date
- 1993-06-09
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (385)
Cast
- Angela Bassett
- Laurence Fishburne
- Vanessa Bell Calloway
- Jenifer Lewis
- Khandi Alexander
- Richard T. Jones
- Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly
- Chi McBride
- Penny Johnson Jerald
- Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV 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 What's Love Got to Do with It about?
- A gifted singer survives an abusive musical partnership to become the force behind her own legendary reinvention.
- What is What's Love Got to Do with It like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of What's Love Got to Do with It as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is What's Love Got to Do with It violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in What's Love Got to Do with It as brutal.
- What did critics think of What's Love Got to Do with It?
- Critics broadly praised the compelling real-life story and the powerhouse performances by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, while recognizing the film as an energetic and emotionally powerful music biopic.
- Which films are like What's Love Got to Do with It?
- Films with a similar feel include Ray, Coal Miner's Daughter, Walk the Line, and Judy.
- How long is What's Love Got to Do with It?
- What's Love Got to Do with It runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch What's Love Got to Do with It?
- In United States, What's Love Got to Do with It streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
