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IMDbPro

King Richard

  • 2021
  • PG-13
  • 2h 24m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
122K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,311
201
Will Smith, Saniyya Sidney, and Demi Singleton in King Richard (2021)
A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.
Play trailer2:48
21 Videos
99+ Photos
BiographyDramaSport

A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.

  • Director
    • Reinaldo Marcus Green
  • Writer
    • Zach Baylin
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
    • Jon Bernthal
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    122K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,311
    201
    • Director
      • Reinaldo Marcus Green
    • Writer
      • Zach Baylin
    • Stars
      • Will Smith
      • Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
      • Jon Bernthal
    • 594User reviews
    • 277Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 48 wins & 137 nominations total

    Videos21

    Official Trailer 2
    Trailer 2:48
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    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:36
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    King Richard
    Trailer 2:51
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    King Richard
    Trailer 2:55
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    King Richard
    Trailer 2:45
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    Best Moments from the Oscars 2022 Telecast [With Captions]
    Clip 2:16
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    Best Moments From the Oscars 2022 Telecast
    Clip 2:16
    Watch Best Moments From the Oscars 2022 Telecast
    Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    Clip 3:09
    Watch Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    6 Standout Scenes From First-Time Oscar Nominees
    Clip 1:39
    Watch 6 Standout Scenes From First-Time Oscar Nominees
    Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton Ask Each Other Anything
    Clip 3:09
    Watch Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton Ask Each Other Anything
    The Rise of Will Smith
    Clip 3:44
    Watch The Rise of Will Smith
    New on HBO Max
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    Photos248

    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Demi Singleton in King Richard (2021)
    Will Smith, Saniyya Sidney, and Demi Singleton in King Richard (2021)
    Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Saniyya Sidney, Daniele Lawson, and Demi Singleton in King Richard (2021)
    Will Smith at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Venus Williams at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Jon Bernthal at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Saniyya Sidney at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Will Smith at an event for King Richard (2021)
    King Richard (2021)
    Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Jada Pinkett Smith at an event for King Richard (2021)
    Tony Goldwyn at an event for King Richard (2021)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Will Smith
    Will Smith
    • Richard Williams
    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
    • Oracene 'Brandy' Williams
    • (as Aunjanue Ellis)
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Bernthal
    • Rick Macci
    Saniyya Sidney
    Saniyya Sidney
    • Venus Williams
    Demi Singleton
    Demi Singleton
    • Serena Williams
    Tony Goldwyn
    Tony Goldwyn
    • Paul Cohen
    Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew
    Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew
    • Tunde Price
    • (as Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew)
    Daniele Lawson
    Daniele Lawson
    • Isha Price
    Layla Crawford
    Layla Crawford
    • Lyndrea Price
    Erika Ringor
    Erika Ringor
    • Ms. Strickland
    Noah Bean
    Noah Bean
    • PV CC Tennis Pro
    Craig Tate
    Craig Tate
    • Bells
    Josiah Cross
    • TD
    Calvin Clausell Jr.
    Calvin Clausell Jr.
    • Homeboy #3
    Vaughn W. Hebron
    Vaughn W. Hebron
    • Homeboy #4
    • (as Vaughn Hebron)
    Jimmy Walker Jr.
    Jimmy Walker Jr.
    • Old Patron
    Kevin Dunn
    Kevin Dunn
    • Vic Braden
    Brad Greenquist
    Brad Greenquist
    • Bud Collins
    • Director
      • Reinaldo Marcus Green
    • Writer
      • Zach Baylin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As a thank you to the cast, Will Smith divided his $40 million earnings from the movie amongst the other actors as bonuses for them.
    • Goofs
      Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is regularly announced and shown as Vicario on the scoreboard, which wouldn't have happened. She was first known as Arantxa Sánchez, then she added Vicario to honor her mother. Following Spanish usage, Sánchez, her father's name, was always the prime part of her last name and she was known as Sánchez Vicario.
    • Quotes

      Richard Williams: The most strongest, the most powerful, the most dangerous creature on this whole earth is a woman who knows how to think. Ain't nothing she can't do.

    • Crazy credits
      During the credits, real documented footage was shown of Richard Williams and his daughters Venus and Serena. From camcorder footage to TV broadcasts, it showed a summary of the accomplishments that the Williams had achieved.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Movies of 2021 (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9 (Pt. 1 & 2)
      Written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff

      Performed by Wilson Pickett

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

    User reviews594

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    The Plan
    Greetings again from the darkness. Sports parents. Band parents. Dance parents. Cheerleader parents. Drama parents. We all know THOSE parents ... and many of us, whether we admit it or not, ARE those parents. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (JOE BELL, 2020) and first time screenwriter Zach Baylin bring us the story of the unconventional, hard-driving, flawed, well-intentioned father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams.

    Will Smith portrays Richard Williams in a showcase role that he capitalizes on. Richard Williams is not a particularly likable man - his hustler mentality is eclipsed only by his stubbornness. But more than anything, Richard Williams was committed to giving Venus and Serena every opportunity to succeed in a tennis world that seemed like a different universe to the Compton neighborhood in which they were raised. Richard and his wife Oracene (an outstanding Aunjanue Ellis, THE HELP) coached the young girls themselves in public parks via instructional articles in Tennis magazines. Both parents balanced their jobs with this coaching, and Richard spent a significant amount of time "marketing" the girls to professional coaches, most who had no interest in taking on pupils who couldn't pay.

    Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and younger sister Serena (Demi Singleton) trust whole-heartedly in "The Plan" their father has in place. It's a plan designed to place million dollar checks in their hands, and lead them to the top of the tennis world. Their first break comes in the form of John McEnroe coach Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn), who agrees to coach Venus. The real fun begins when Richard cuts a deal with super coach/trainer Rick Macci (a terrific Jon Bernthal) to take on both girls and cover the families living arrangements in Florida.

    What makes this film work is that so many of us can relate to just how difficult it is to be a parent, and never settle for less when it comes to the kids. Now, Richard Williams is an extreme example - and his enormously successful daughters have dealt his approach a hand of credibility. Richard and Oracene are presented as very protective of their daughters, but also obsessed with helping them excel at school, tennis, and life. Given that there are three other daughters living in the house, it's surprising that we don't get more details on the reactions from those girls to the favorable treatment of Venus and Serena. The family is presented as being very tight-knit and loving, but it's difficult to swallow that jealousy didn't rise up periodically.

    This truly is the story of how Richard Williams remained focused on getting his daughters to the top, so don't expect the tennis history of Venus and Serena. The young actors playing them are excellent, but this takes us through the foundation of their careers while overcoming adversity, not the professional highlights. Oscar winning cinematographer Robert Elswit (THERE WILL BE BLOOD) makes the tennis look legitimate, while also bringing us the family intimacy. In fact, the scene in the kitchen is one of the more intense and well-acted scenes we will see this year, and the camera work amplifies the tension. On the lighter side, we get Will Smith singing Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler", and the closing credits show actual clips of Richard, Venus and Serena, as well as a rundown of their impressive achievements. Director Green has delivered a crowd-pleaser with some poignancy and a few well-placed messages. It wouldn't surprise to see a few award nominations attached to this one.

    Opens in theaters and streams on HBO Max beginning November 19, 2021.
    helpful•70
    42
    • ferguson-6
    • Nov 18, 2021

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 19, 2021 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Germany)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • King Richard: Huyền Thoại Nhà Williams
    • Filming locations
      • Claremont Club, Claremont, California, USA(1777 Monte Vista Ave, Claremont, CA)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Star Thrower Entertainment
      • Westbrook Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,129,285
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,406,033
      • Nov 21, 2021
    • Gross worldwide
      • $39,429,285
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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