Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Fences

  • 20162016
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
107K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,586
25
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
An African-American father struggles with race relations in the United States while trying to raise his family in the 1950s and coming to terms with the events of his life.
Play trailer2:27
11 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama

A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
107K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,586
25
  • Director
    • Denzel Washington
  • Writer
    • August Wilson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Viola Davis
    • Stephen McKinley Henderson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Denzel Washington
  • Writer
    • August Wilson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Viola Davis
    • Stephen McKinley Henderson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 432User reviews
    • 330Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 59 wins & 121 nominations total

    Videos11

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:27
    Trailer #2
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:51
    Teaser Trailer
    Why Dont You Like Me
    Clip 0:52
    Why Dont You Like Me
    The Marrying Kind
    Clip 1:04
    The Marrying Kind
    Why Dont You Like Me
    Clip 0:52
    Why Dont You Like Me
    The Marrying Kind
    Clip 1:04
    The Marrying Kind
    Jovan Adepo on Working with Viola Davis and Denzel Washington
    Interview 3:35
    Jovan Adepo on Working with Viola Davis and Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington on His IMDb Best-Known Movies
    Interview 2:57
    Denzel Washington on His IMDb Best-Known Movies
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis on Family in 'Fences'
    Interview 1:43
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis on Family in 'Fences'
    Constanza Romero
    Interview 3:40
    Constanza Romero
    Saniyya Sidney
    Interview 2:50
    Saniyya Sidney

    Photos109

    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Stephen McKinley Henderson in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Charlotte Bruus Christensen in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Mykelti Williamson in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Jovan Adepo in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Jovan Adepo in Fences (2016)
    Denzel Washington and Charlotte Bruus Christensen in Fences (2016)
    Viola Davis and Russell Hornsby in Fences (2016)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Troy Maxsonas Troy Maxson
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Rose Maxsonas Rose Maxson
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    • Jim Bonoas Jim Bono
    Jovan Adepo
    Jovan Adepo
    • Coryas Cory
    Russell Hornsby
    Russell Hornsby
    • Lyonsas Lyons
    Mykelti Williamson
    Mykelti Williamson
    • Gabrielas Gabriel
    Saniyya Sidney
    Saniyya Sidney
    • Raynellas Raynell
    Christopher Mele
    Christopher Mele
    • Deputy Commissioneras Deputy Commissioner
    Lesley Boone
    Lesley Boone
    • Evangelist Preacheras Evangelist Preacher
    • (as Leslie Boone)
    Jason Silvis
    • Garbage Truck Driveras Garbage Truck Driver
    Toussaint Raphael Abessolo
    • Troy's Fatheras Troy's Father
    • (uncredited)
    Gregory Bromfield
    Gregory Bromfield
    • Courthouse Workeras Courthouse Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Hanibal Chancellor
    • Watermelon Salesmanas Watermelon Salesman
    • (uncredited)
    Cara Clark
    Cara Clark
    • Studentas Student
    • (uncredited)
    Tra'Waan Coles
    Tra'Waan Coles
    • Towns personas Towns person
    • (uncredited)
    Sean Cummings
    • Sanitation workeras Sanitation worker
    • (uncredited)
    Ellwood Davis
    • Brownieas Brownie
    • (uncredited)
    DieselDonlow
    DieselDonlow
    • Backyard Workeras Backyard Worker
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Denzel Washington
    • Writer
      • August Wilson(screenplay by) (based upon his play "Fences")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Roman J. Israel, Esq.
    6.5
    Roman J. Israel, Esq.
    Flight
    7.3
    Flight
    Antwone Fisher
    7.3
    Antwone Fisher
    Training Day
    7.7
    Training Day
    The Hurricane
    7.6
    The Hurricane
    John Q
    7.0
    John Q
    The Book of Eli
    6.8
    The Book of Eli
    The Great Debaters
    7.5
    The Great Debaters
    American Gangster
    7.8
    American Gangster
    The Equalizer 2
    6.7
    The Equalizer 2
    Malcolm X
    7.7
    Malcolm X
    The Equalizer
    7.2
    The Equalizer

    Storyline

    Edit
    Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter. —Jwelch5742
    • frustrated man
    • adopted child
    • disabled character
    • pulitzer prize source
    • stubborn old man
    • 34 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Some people build fences to keep people out - and other people build fences to keep people in.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "Fences" opened on Broadway in 1987, winning the Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Actor (James Earl Jones), and Best Featured Actress (Mary Alice). A revival of "Fences" opened in 2010, winning the Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor Denzel Washington, and Best Actress (Viola Davis). All five adult actors reprise their roles in this film adaptation, with Washington also directing.
    • Goofs
      Since Cory's varsity jacket has 1956 on the back, he must have been referring to 1955 as "last baseball season." He mentioned that Sandy Koufax led the league in strikeouts. In fact, Koufax was a rookie in 1955, appeared in only a few games and struck out only 30 batters. He didn't become a dominating pitcher until 1961, when he led the National League in strikeouts for the first time.
    • Quotes

      Cory: Hey pa!

      Troy: Hmm?

      Cory: Can I ask you a question?

      [pause]

      Cory: How come you ain't never liked me?

      Troy: Like you? What law is there sayin' I got to like you?

      Cory: None.

      Troy: All right then. Don't you eat every day? Answer me when I talk to you! Don't you eat every day?

      Cory: Yeah...

      Troy: As long as you're in my house you put a "Sir" on the end of it when you talk to me.

      Cory: Yes, Sir.

      Troy: You eat every day?

      Cory: Yes, Sir.

      Troy: You got a roof over you head?

      Cory: Yes, Sir.

      Troy: Got clothes on your back?

      Cory: Yes, Sir.

      Troy: Why you think that is?

      Cory: 'Cause of you?

      Troy: [chuckles] Hell, I know it's 'cause of me. But why do you think that is?

      Cory: 'Cause you like me?

      Troy: Like you? I go outta here every morning, I bust my butt 'cause I like you? You're about the biggest fool I ever saw. A man is supposed to take care of his family. You live in my house, feed your belly with my food, put your behind on my bed because you're my son. It's my duty to take care of you, I owe a responsibility to you, I ain't got to like you! Now, I gave everything I got to give you! I gave you your life! Me and your Mama worked out between us and liking your black ass wasn't part of the bargain! Now don't you go through life worrying about whether somebody like you or not! You best be makin' sure that they're doin' right by you! You understand what I'm sayin'?

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Movies of 2016 Already Getting Oscar Buzz (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Jesus Be A Fence Around Me
      Written by Sam Cooke

      Performed by Viola Davis

    User reviews432

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Who better to direct Denzel Washington in an outstanding performance than Denzel Washington.
    A very strong emotional performance by the great Denzel Washington, not his best per say but it gives us everything we love about this great actor. A well driven vehicle for Washington as well as well made by Washington who also directed the film.

    Denzel and Viola Davis were a pretty outstanding combination. It seems like a no brainier that one day these two would work together on this level and here it is. It was worth seeing just to see these two as a couple going through their hard times.

    It's a very basic movie, despite putting some money into the CGI to make it look like the 1950s, it all takes place in one area and relies a lot on the experience actors and the performances they give, so little is done to change the tone. It really feels like the movie is giving us a Broadway production.

    It was also very gritty. Denzel and Viola gave some real life to these characters. It's very rare that you get the movie star whose also an actor and he's unafraid to open up, but that's what Denzel does and so did Viola, just not afraid to let it all hang out for the role.

    Worth seeing to see some real craftsmanship in acting. It was a great movie adaption to a great play.

    http://cinemagardens.com
    helpful•30
    18
    • subxerogravity
    • Dec 18, 2016

    FAQ1

    • When and where is this film set?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 2016 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Паркани
    • Filming locations
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production companies
      • BRON Studios
      • Escape Artists
      • MACRO
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $24,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $57,682,904
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $129,462
      • Dec 18, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $64,414,761
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 19 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Anu Bhatia Joins WME As Head Of Film Client Marketing
    Anu Bhatia Joins WME As Head Of Film Client Marketing
    May 16Deadline Film + TV
    Viola Davis to Receive Kering’s Women in Motion Award at Cannes
    Viola Davis to Receive Kering’s Women in Motion Award at Cannes
    May 9Variety Film + TV

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Fences (2016) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.