---
title: "Do the Right Thing"
year: 1989
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing"
fi1m_id: "do-the-right-thing"
imdb_id: "tt0097216"
tmdb_id: 925
wikidata_id: "Q1141252"
fi1m_score: 93
critics_score: 91
critics_reviews: 10
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:18.408384+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Do the Right Thing (1989)

Directed by Spike Lee · 2h 00m · MPA R · Drama

## Identity

Do the Right Thing

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** do-the-right-thing
- **IMDb ID:** tt0097216
- **TMDB ID:** 925
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1141252
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097216/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/925, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1141252

**Fi1m score: 93** · Critics 91 from 10 reviews

*In a sentence:* The pizzeria wall gets a harder cross-examination than most politicians

> Spike Lee makes a remarkable drama out of neighbours who cannot agree about the pictures on a pizzeria wall. A few conversations run long; the performances, humour and force of the filmmaking make this an unreserved recommendation.

## Synopsis

On the hottest day of the summer, arguments over race and belonging gather around Sal’s pizzeria. Danny Aiello plays Sal, with Spike Lee as Mookie and Giancarlo Esposito as Buggin Out. A question about who appears on the pizzeria wall brings the neighbourhood’s tensions into the open. Bill Nunn’s Radio Raheem, Ossie Davis’s Da Mayor and Ruby Dee’s Mother Sister are among the people sharing the day. Written and directed by Lee, the film follows their encounters as the heat makes an already uneasy community harder to live in.

## Review

*Do the Right Thing* is funny, angry and unusually generous to people behaving badly. We would recommend it widely, though it is not an easy evening. Spike Lee, who writes, directs and plays Mookie, sets arguments about race inside the ordinary business of sharing a neighbourhood on the hottest day of the summer. The neighbours have enough life beyond their grievances to make us care about how they treat one another.

The dispute over who appears on Sal’s pizzeria wall is the clearest example. What might sound trivial when described becomes a precise question about who is welcome, and on whose terms. We laughed at the argument, then felt uncomfortable about laughing, because the demand for representation is reasonable even when the conversation becomes ridiculous. Lee lets the comedy continue without making the complaint disappear, and the scene gives the film a practical question that a longer, politer speech could easily lose.

Danny Aiello lets Sal’s warmth and stubbornness coexist, so the performance never gives us the comfort of a simple label. Giancarlo Esposito makes Buggin Out’s insistence funny without making it easy to dismiss him. Lee plays Mookie with less outward force, a useful contrast in such an emphatic ensemble. Bill Nunn gives Radio Raheem enough weight to command our attention without competing with everyone else’s talk.

Ernest R. Dickerson’s saturated colours make the heat seem to press on everyone in the frame. The brightness contributes to the irritation; there is little visual relief from having to occupy the same space. Wynn Thomas’s production design gives the pizzeria wall enough prominence to make the dispute about representation easy to grasp. The pictures are part of how the business presents itself to the people who use it.

Barry Alexander Brown’s editing allows the neighbourhood encounters to accumulate without hurrying each one towards a confrontation. The conversational pace lets the humour work, while leaving room for a remark to become an irritation. Bill Lee’s score helps preserve the warmth of the neighbourhood, alongside a soundtrack drawing on hip-hop and jazz. That musical variety suits a film in which the pleasure of sharing a street remains evident even when sharing it becomes difficult.

The looseness has a cost. A few exchanges linger after their point is clear, and Brown’s patient cutting cannot make every detour equally rewarding across 120 minutes. Lee occasionally relies on the energy of the company to carry a stretch that needs a sharper change of pace. These are small frustrations, but they matter in a film whose strongest conversations make us attend to every change in tone.

As a drama about racism, it refuses the comforting idea that getting to know someone will make their prejudices harmless. Lee gives his characters jokes, loyalties and reasons to be aggrieved, then expects us to judge what they say and do. That is a demanding way to spend an evening, even with this much humour. Watch it with someone willing to argue about the pizzeria wall after the credits.

*Fi1m score 93, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews are strongly positive, with praise clustering around Spike Lee’s direction, the ensemble and the vivid sense of life on a Brooklyn block. Critics repeatedly single out the saturated colour, Ernest Dickerson’s cinematography and the hip-hop and jazz soundtrack, finding that the film’s style gives its racial tensions force without sacrificing humour or individual character. Across both contemporary reviews and later reassessments, its attention to racism, representation and neighbourhood life is seen as pointed and lasting.

The differences concern Lee’s treatment of violence rather than his filmmaking skill, and the broadly favourable consensus allows for some disagreement. Vulture admires the film’s humanity and detail but finds its messages about violence confused and its desire to satisfy everyone a weakness. The Hollywood Reporter anticipates accusations that the film advocates violence, while praising Lee’s courage; other reviews value the unresolved moral questions and the way sympathies pull in several directions.

## Straight answers

**Is Do the Right Thing worth watching?**

*Do the Right Thing* is worth watching for almost anyone prepared for a demanding evening, and we scored it 93. Spike Lee's drama about neighbours arguing over the pictures on a pizzeria wall is funny, angry and generous to people behaving badly. A few conversations run long, but the performances and the force of the filmmaking carry it.

**How long is Do the Right Thing, and what is it rated?**

*Do the Right Thing* runs 2h 00m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a drama film.

**Where can I watch Do the Right Thing in the US?**

*Do the Right Thing* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Do the Right Thing, and is it suitable for children?**

*Do the Right Thing* carries an 18 certificate in the UK and is not suitable for children. The review does not dwell on specific violence, but the film is about racial tension on the hottest day of the summer, and the certificate signals strong language and adult material throughout. Older teenagers willing to argue about it afterwards are the youngest audience we would suggest.

**How does Do the Right Thing compare to La Haine?**

*Do the Right Thing* is the richer of the two films, though [*La Haine*](https://film.one/film/la-haine) is worth anyone's evening as well. Both set anger inside a neighbourhood under pressure and keep it specific through friendship and humour. Lee spreads his attention across a whole street and many neighbours; Kassovitz stays close to three friends, and his direction occasionally shows off where Lee's ensemble keeps the arguments grounded.

**What should I watch after Do the Right Thing?**

After *Do the Right Thing*, try [*La Haine*](https://film.one/film/la-haine) (1995, Fi1m 90): Another neighbourhood under pressure, with friendship and humour keeping the anger specific. Then [*A Separation*](https://film.one/film/a-separation) (2011, Fi1m 93): Family loyalties and competing grievances make every apparently simple judgement harder; and [*The Apartment*](https://film.one/film/the-apartment) (1960, Fi1m 91): A different kind of workplace compromise, with comedy that refuses easy forgiveness.

### Reviews we read (12)

- **Little White Lies**, Kambole Campbell (5/5/5): The critic calls it Spike Lee’s magnum opus and praises its enduring relevance to issues like gentrification, police brutality and representation. They highlight the vibrant, alive neighborhood collage created by the scattershot storytelling and strong craft elements including camerawork and score. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/do-the-right-thing-1989)
- **Radio Times**, John Ferguson (5/5): This is described as Spike Lee’s most assured film, a fierce racial drama whose power has not diminished. The critic praises the exemplary ensemble cast, Ernest Dickerson’s bright vibrant cinematography, the superb hip-hop and jazz soundtrack, and the result as an exhilarating, passionate modern-day classic. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-drqmby/do-the-right-thing/)
- **Time Out**, Helen O’Hara (5/5): The review hails the film as an uncompromising classic that remains timely in its portrayal of racial tension and injustice. It singles out the director’s keen eye for place, character and style, along with the indelible super-saturated colors and oddball ensemble in the Brooklyn neighborhood. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/do-the-right-thing-30th-anniversary)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (90/100, inferred): The critic hails the film as a timeless masterwork whose depiction of racial tensions on a sweltering Brooklyn day remains powerfully relevant. They single out the central argument over representation on Sal’s pizzeria wall as Lee’s masterstroke and a prescient culture-war moment. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/02/do-the-right-thing-review-spike-lee)
- **The New York Times**, Vincent Canby (90/100, inferred): Vincent Canby lauds the film as a terrific movie showcasing Spike Lee's abundant talent, noting its buoyant, fresh, and moving cinematic wizardry despite the shattering ending. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/30/movies/review-film-spike-lee-tackles-racism-in-do-the-right-thing.html)
- **Empire**, Lloyd Bradley (85/100, inferred): The critic praises Spike Lee's growth as a filmmaker in subtly building tension and pulling sympathies in multiple directions toward an honest conclusion about racism. They single out the film's acute observation that distils humour from accuracy rather than caricature. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/right-thing-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Sheila Benson (85/100, inferred): Sheila Benson highlights Spike Lee's phenomenal leap as a filmmaker, commending the film's humorous yet cathartic exploration of racism and its complex human characters. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-30-ca-2945-story.html)
- **Variety**, Variety Staff (80/100, inferred): The critic praises Spike Lee's combination of a forceful statement on race relations with solid entertainment values, highlighting the ensemble cast and the insightful handling of the violent climax. [Read](https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/do-the-right-thing-review-1200428009/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Robert Osborne: The review notes that the film will spark both positive reactions for its entertainment and spirited filmmaking and slams over whether it advocates violence. It praises Lee's audacity, courage, ideas, and strong ensemble cast while predicting strong business in big cities. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/do-right-thing-review-movie-1989-1220930/)
- **Vulture**: The review calls the film immensely skillful, humane, and richly detailed but criticizes it for trying to satisfy everyone and for confusing, mixed messages about violence that could create an uproar. It highlights the explosion at the end as divisive and notes the film's genial yet tense build-up on a single Brooklyn block. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-spike-lee-do-the-right-thing.html)
- **Deadline**, Todd McCarthy (90/100, inferred): The critic finds Spike Lee's 1989 film as urgent and relevant today as ever, with its portrayal of racial tensions and neighborhood life feeling timeless and organic. He singles out its direct confrontation of society's unfinished business and vibrant characters for praise while contrasting it favorably with more recent works. [Read](https://deadline.com/2020/06/do-the-right-thing-holds-up-spike-lee-peter-sellers-mr-topaze-1202967321/)
- **Paste**, Jeffrey Bloomer (85/100, inferred): The critic describes Spike Lee's film as a searing masterpiece that confronts racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a hot summer day through a loose, playful narrative that builds to explosive violence. They single out the film's violent climax as one of the great finales in modern film for its indelible power, unresolved moral questions, and brilliant cinematography. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/spike-lee/do-the-right-thing-20th-anniversary-edition)

## Details

- **Director:** Spike Lee
- **Director:** Spike Lee
- **Screenplay:** Spike Lee
- **Cinematography:** Ernest Dickerson
- **Editor:** Barry Alexander Brown
- **Music:** Bill Lee
- **Production design:** Wynn Thomas
- **Costume design:** Ruth E. Carter
- **Producer:** Spike Lee
- **Cast:** 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
- **Runtime:** 2h 00m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 21 July 1989
- **Genres:** Drama
- **Also in:** [Golden Globe Best Drama winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-drama.md) (Nominee, 1989)
- **Budget:** $6 million
- **Box office:** $37 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVAD4fYRcvA

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DE, ES, FI, FR, GB, IE, IN, IT, LT, MX, NL, NO, PA, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 1990: Best Supporting Actor (nominated); Best Writing, Original Screenplay (nominated)
- Golden Globes 1989: Best Director (nominated); Best Motion Picture – Drama (nominated); Best Screenplay (nominated); Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (nominated)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director 1989: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director (won)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film 1989: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture 1989: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture 1989: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture 1989: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture 1989: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture 1989: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (nominated)
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director 1989: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *La Haine* (1995), Fi1m 90: Another neighbourhood under pressure, with friendship and humour keeping the anger specific — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/la-haine.md)
- *A Separation* (2011), Fi1m 93: Family loyalties and competing grievances make every apparently simple judgement harder — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-separation.md)
- *The Apartment* (1960), Fi1m 91: A different kind of workplace compromise, with comedy that refuses easy forgiveness — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-apartment.md)
- *Small Axe* (2020), Fi1m 88: Neighbourhood life, racism and resistance, with room for music and ordinary pleasure — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md)
- *Bicycle Thieves* (1948), Fi1m 93: Street life and economic pressure make a simple moral rule difficult to follow — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/bicycle-thieves.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing