Hustle & Flow

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2:24

Hustle & Flow

R

2005

1h 55m

Crime

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

DJay is a pimp living day to day on the tough streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Pushing 40, he's tired of the life he's living and dreams of something greater. When he meets up with an old friend who is now in the recording industry, he's inspired to turn his life around and uses his criminal life as an inspiration to create rap music. When he hears that a rap superstar is coming to town, DJay works a hustle to gain the rapper's attention and hopefully get signed by a label.

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Critics Consensus

Hustle & Flow is gritty and redemptive, with a profound sense of place and exciting music.

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Wilson Morales

IndieWire

Mar 31, 2020

Hustle & Flow certainly is among the emotional, uplifting feel good films that folks love to watch more than once.

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Heather Havrilesky

Salon.com

Jul 16, 2019

Hustle & Flow is everything you want a film to be: unpredictable, daring, clever, heartwarming.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Nov 1, 2007

Howard redeems this lumpy fantasy. Soft-spoken and mysterious, he presides over the movie with a dangerous, feline grace.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 8, 2023

3/4

This picture takes few false steps as it details the efforts of all its characters (not just DJay) to find some purpose in their lives.

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Apr 22, 2021

3/5

This is a two hour movie that flew by. It was fun in some aspects, the music was tight and just clicked well.

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

Apr 22, 2021

3/5

I really liked the performances. It was dope that everyone gave it 110% for this.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

Hustle and Flow = a *4* star Movie!

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Rodolfo S.

@RT85045214 Aug 18, 2026

A stoic looks at the rap game must watch

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Daniel D

@DanoRydde Jun 9, 2026

Hustle & Flow is one of those films that hit me on a personal level; it’s not just a story about music, it’s about ambition, struggle, and the relentless drive to rise above circumstances. Terrence Howard’s performance as DJay felt raw and authentic, capturing the grind of someone who refuses to be defined by hardship. The film’s soundtrack, especially "It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp," wasn’t just catchy; it embodied the grit and determination of chasing a dream against all odds. The movie is a reminder that creativity can be born out of struggle, and that passion can transform even the toughest situations into something powerful. It’s inspiring, emotional, and unforgettable, definitely deserving of a full star rating.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Mar 26, 2026

Great movie. Definitely a classic. Really cool music and overall story. I love the title as well.

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Damon G

@Dmoney420 Feb 22, 2026

Classic movie 10 out of 10 way before movies starting getting lgbtq stuff in them they don't make movies like these any more

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Keith B B

@Okbullard Jan 28, 2026

I thought it was pretty well done and I'm not a rap fan. I've always liked Terrence Howard and he excellent in this. Taryn Manning did a great job as well. Give it a look.

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Craig Brewer

Director

Terrence Howard

Djay

Anthony Anderson

Key

Taryn Manning

Nola

Taraji P. Henson

Shug

Paula Jai Parker

Lexus

Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - What Do You Want?

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Standing Up To Skinny

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - On the Radio

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - A Mix Tape for Skinny

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Shake It Real Fast

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Man Ain't Like a Dog

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Whoop That Trick

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Hard Out Here for a Pimp

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Hustle & Flow: Official Clip - Spiritual Experience

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Hustle & Flow: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

DJay is a pimp living day to day on the tough streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Pushing 40, he's tired of the life he's living and dreams of something greater. When he meets up with an old friend who is now in the recording industry, he's inspired to turn his life around and uses his criminal life as an inspiration to create rap music. When he hears that a rap superstar is coming to town, DJay works a hustle to gain the rapper's attention and hopefully get signed by a label.

Director: Craig Brewer
Producer: Stephanie Allain, John Singleton
Distributor: MTV Productions
Production Co: New Deal Productions, Paramount, Homegrown Pictures, Crunk Pictures
Rating: R (Sex and Drug Content|Pervasive Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 22, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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