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Men in Black

  • 1997
  • PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
640K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
760
79
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black (1997)
A police officer joins a secret organization that polices and monitors extraterrestrial interactions on Earth.
Play trailer2:25
8 Videos
99+ Photos
Alien InvasionBuddy ComedyBuddy CopHigh-Concept ComedyUrban AdventureActionAdventureComedySci-Fi

James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalacti... Read allJames, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.

  • Director
    • Barry Sonnenfeld
  • Writers
    • Lowell Cunningham
    • Ed Solomon
  • Stars
    • Tommy Lee Jones
    • Will Smith
    • Linda Fiorentino
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    640K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    760
    79
    • Director
      • Barry Sonnenfeld
    • Writers
      • Lowell Cunningham
      • Ed Solomon
    • Stars
      • Tommy Lee Jones
      • Will Smith
      • Linda Fiorentino
    • 434User reviews
    • 175Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 22 wins & 39 nominations total

    Videos8

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    Official Trailer
    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:29
    Theatrical Version
    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:29
    Theatrical Version
    The Rise of Will Smith
    Clip 3:44
    The Rise of Will Smith
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Clip 2:27
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    What We Know About The 'Untitled Men in Black Spin-Off' ... So Far
    Clip 3:14
    What We Know About The 'Untitled Men in Black Spin-Off' ... So Far
    Mib Metamorphosis
    Featurette 2:08
    Mib Metamorphosis

    Photos451

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    + 445
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    Top cast77

    Edit
    Tommy Lee Jones
    Tommy Lee Jones
    • Kay
    Will Smith
    Will Smith
    • Jay
    Linda Fiorentino
    Linda Fiorentino
    • Laurel
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    • Edgar
    Rip Torn
    Rip Torn
    • Zed
    Tony Shalhoub
    Tony Shalhoub
    • Jeebs
    Siobhan Fallon Hogan
    Siobhan Fallon Hogan
    • Beatrice
    • (as Siobhan Fallon)
    Mike Nussbaum
    Mike Nussbaum
    • Gentle Rosenburg
    Jon Gries
    Jon Gries
    • Van Driver
    Sergio Calderón
    Sergio Calderón
    • Jose
    Carel Struycken
    Carel Struycken
    • Arquillian
    Fredric Lehne
    Fredric Lehne
    • INS Agent Janus
    • (as Fredric Lane)
    Richard Hamilton
    Richard Hamilton
    • Dee
    Kent Faulcon
    Kent Faulcon
    • 1st Lt. Jake Jensen
    John Alexander
    John Alexander
    • Mikey
    Keith Campbell
    Keith Campbell
    • Perp
    Ken Thorley
    Ken Thorley
    • Zap-Em Man
    Patrick Breen
    Patrick Breen
    • Mr. Redgick
    • Director
      • Barry Sonnenfeld
    • Writers
      • Lowell Cunningham
      • Ed Solomon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews434

    7.3640.3K
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    Featured reviews

    0U

    Great movie action

    What makes this film stand out, aside from its superb effects, humor and script, is the contrast between Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. While Jones is the emotionless, smarter and wiser one out of the two, Smith is the younger and more enthusiastic. These 'Men In Black' are on a mission to save Earth from a really, really nasty bug infestation. This is one Sci-Fi film that shouldn't be missed.
    tfrizzell

    An Unlikely Comedy Team Carries This Film

    "Men in Black" is a fast-paced action-comedy that over-achieves the whole way. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith make an amazing comedy team as the title characters who protect the Earth from the scum of the universe. Everything is tongue-in-cheek and the whole film works in a really great way. A great film that benefits from its characters and amazing special effects. 4 out of 5 stars.
    8Aaron1375

    Fast moving science fiction comedy.

    This movie was really fun to watch the first time I saw it in theaters, upon subsequent viewings, however, it loses its luster. Still though, it is still a fun movie to watch. Unlike the sequel which rushes us through the story, this one takes a bit more time developing the characters even though it is only about ten minutes longer. Both Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are very good and funny, especially Smith because he is the new guy so he is seeing all the weird aliens and such for the first time. This is also something missing from the sequel. In the end though the reason I probably like this one so much is that it sort of reminds me of a Ghostbuster movie, and seeing as how we will most likely never see another sequel to that movie it is nice to see a movie sort of like it in that they are keeping tabs and hunting aliens rather than ghosts. The pug dog scene is funny, and the dog is not over used as in the sequel, and there is also a funny scene where Will Smith must deliver an alien baby...their main objective in this one is to track down an alien insect that has hijacked the skin of a guy and is trying to find a universe. If he succeeds the Earth is destroyed, of course Tommy Lee's character is so calm about the whole situation that you feel you have nothing to worry about. So for a funny movie that has great scenes of Will Smith training and becoming a Man in Black watch this film and do yourself a favor and skip part two...not that it was entirely bad, I liked it okay, but it just seems like an unnecessary sequel.
    8mjw2305

    Funny, effects laden sci-fi comedy

    Agents Jay (Will Smith) and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) protect our world, that is crammed full of aliens who live among us, and most of them are respectful citizens of planet Earth, but every race can have a bad apple or two. Smith and Jones make an unlikely pair, but they work in harmony really well here, and it's a pretty funny adventure.

    Fine special effects help to bring the aliens in MIB to life, and they have as much character as the duo in black, and they get just as many laughs. The film carries a good plot and is entertaining from the opening scene; which sets the tone of the film nicely, and makes you yearn for some more.

    8/10
    9drevil1985

    A great fantasy-comedy

    I am very upset that most people take this movie too seriously This movie is just a nice comedy with a very intriguing subject. Most people try to find bug in this movie but i believe that they should just sit back and enjoy the great epic line. Let's be serious do you believe that a galaxy can be carried around a cat's belt or that "Elivs is not dead he's just gone home" ? For this reason I believe this is an excellent comedy with a Sf theme. I also appreciate that the acting is very good and the script is very nicely written. I urge people to stop taking the "noisy cricket" too serious! This movie is making fun of the people who take this sort of things too seriously.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Will Smith didn't believe it was really Steven Spielberg on the other end of the line when the executive producer first called to talk to him about Men in Black (1997).
    • Goofs
      When riding in the tunnel, Jay puts on an 8-track and listens to Elvis. Jay quips, "You do know Elvis is dead?" to which Kay replies, "No he isn't, he just went home," implying he is an alien. Earlier Kay reveals the aliens first made contact in 1961 - five years after Elvis Presley made his breakthrough performance on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948). However, 1961 is only when they made contact, not necessarily when they first landed.
    • Quotes

      Edwards: Why the big secret? People are smart. They can handle it.

      Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.

      Edwards: What's the catch?

      Kay: The catch? The catch is you will sever every human contact. Nobody will ever know you exist anywhere. Ever. I'll give you to sunrise to think it over.

      [starts walking away]

      Edwards: [shouting after Kay] Hey! Is it worth it?

      Kay: Oh yeah, it's worth it...

      [starts walking again, stops and turns back briefly]

      Kay: ... if you're strong enough!

    • Crazy credits
      The animals and aliens used in this film were in no way mistreated and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with the utmost concern for their handling.
    • Alternate versions
      The version shown on Australian cable television is the uncut version with a PG rating
    • Connections
      Edited into Men in Black: Extended and Alternate Scenes (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Men In Black
      Produced by Track Masters

      Co-produced by Will Smith

      Written by Will Smith, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFadden

      Performed by Will Smith featuring Cheryl Gamble (as Coko)

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

    Top picks

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    FAQ26

    • How long is Men in Black?Powered by Alexa
    • How does Mikey notice the border patrol officer and why does he suddenly attack him?
    • What led Kay and Zed to pick Williams/Jay over all the other candidates who were obviously qualified? Jay is a hot head who also has an obvious problem with authority.
    • Who is that guy with white long hair standing beside Frank the pug at the locksmith stand?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 2, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Hombres de negro
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Ventilator Shaft, Battery Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(Men in Black HQ)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • Parkes/MacDonald Image Nation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $90,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $250,690,539
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $51,068,455
      • Jul 6, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $589,390,539
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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