Do the Right Thing
1989 · Movie · R · 120 min
★ 7.8(2,026)unSUB Rating
On the hottest day of the year in a Brooklyn neighborhood, a dispute at a local pizzeria over whose faces belong on the wall becomes a flashpoint. As residents from different backgrounds clash over respect, identity, and everyday slights, the heat and frustration push the community’s simmering tensions toward open conflict.
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Details
- Years
- 1989
- Release date
- 1989-06-14
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- TMDB rating (input)
- 7.8/10 (2,026 votes)
- Box office
- $37,295,445
- Budget
- $6,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a provocative, debate-sparking drama about community tensions and racism that mixes humor with rising anger; Not for you if you prefer comforting stories or low-conflict viewing—try Malcolm X or 12 Angry Men for related themes.
Pros: urgent social themes; memorable street characters; humor amid tension | Cons: abrasive language; uneven storytelling; emotionally draining finale
Themes
- new york city
- police brutality
- hip-hop
- italian american
- culture clash
- chaos
- heat
- street war
- restaurant critic
- radio transmission
- punk rock
- pizzeria
- +11 more
Awards & recognition
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award — Best Director · 1989
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award — Best Film · 1989
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture · 1989
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture · 1989
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1990 · nominated
Show all 16 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 1990 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Screenplay · 1989 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Motion Picture – Drama · 1989 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Director · 1989 · nominated
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture · 1989 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Director · 1989 · nominated
Cast & crew
Danny Aiello
as Sal
Ossie Davis
as Da Mayor
Ruby Dee
as Mother Sister
Richard Edson
as Vito
Giancarlo Esposito
as Buggin Out
Spike Lee
as Mookie
Bill Nunn
as Radio Raheem
John Turturro
as Pino
Paul Benjamin
as ML
Frankie Faison
as Coconut Sid
Directed by Spike Lee