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Brown Sugar

Play trailer Poster for Brown Sugar PG-13 2002 1h 49m Romance Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
66% Tomatometer 83 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Sidney and Dre can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic, and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.
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Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though predictable and possibly too sweet, Brown Sugar is charming, well-acted, and smarter than typical rom-com fare.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY Nov 19, 2002
2.5/5
True to its title, this hip-hop When Harry Met Sally is plenty sweet, but is that what we really want from a film set in the world of rap music? Go to Full Review
Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution Oct 26, 2002
B+
It's predictable, but it jumps through the expected hoops with style and even some depth. Go to Full Review
Ann Hornaday Washington Post Oct 11, 2002
You don't have to know about music to appreciate the film's easygoing blend of comedy and romance. Go to Full Review
Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Feb 24, 2026
Do we want a rom-com about cheaters? I don't think so. Go to Full Review
Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Feb 14, 2023
2/5
I love a good romantic comedy that gives me meat and potatoes. But this just gave me a salad. I wanted to enjoy this more but the script, particularly regarding Dre's character, fell flat for me. Go to Full Review
Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Feb 14, 2023
3/5
It's a solid romantic comedy that doesn't quite hold the main characters accountable for their actions for other love interests. But I absolutely love this soundtrack. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Austin B @RT35999578 Sep 15, 2026 Austin B Boswellllgmailcom See more
Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 20, 2026 Rated PG-13 for Sexual Content and Language. The worldwide gross is $28,316,451.00 over a budget of $8,000,000.00. Starring Taye Diggs (January 02nd, 1971, in Newark, New Jersey, USA-Present) and Queen Latifah (March 18th, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, USA-Present). See more
Noel L @RT15930389 Oct 12, 2025 This is like My Best Friend's Wedding but the main protagonists get a happy ending See more
Danielle L @RT40416841 Sep 13, 2025 Just Dope... Fresh story especially with the infusion of the hip-hop documentary concept, great acting ...Purely nostalgic for those of us that are from this era...100 % fire 🔥. See more
Nov 3, 2021 Matched up perfectly with my age was breakdancing in 84 as an 8 and 9 year old See more
Jun 28, 2020 Beautiful romantic feature I have ever seen. See more
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Brown Sugar

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Rick Famuyiwa

Director

Taye Diggs

Dre

Sanaa Lathan

Sidney

Yasiin Bey

Chris

Nicole Ari Parker

Reese

Boris Kodjoe

Kelby

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Brown Sugar

Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Boris Kodjoe in Brown Sugar. From Left Bottom Clockwise: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Reggi Wyns, Erik Weiner, Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Queen Latifah and Mos Def in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Director/Writer Rick Famuyiwa on the set of Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Nicole Ari Parker and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Sidney and Dre can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic, and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.
Director
Rick Famuyiwa
Producer
Peter Heller
Screenwriter
Michael Elliot, Rick Famuyiwa, Michael Elliot
Distributor
Fox
Production Co
Evergreen Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.4M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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