Life of a King

Play trailer

Life of a King

PG-13

2014

1h 41m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Determined to help at-risk youths avoid the mistakes he made, an ex-con (Cuba Gooding Jr.) forms a chess club to offer them an alternative to running with street gangs.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Tim Grierson

Screen International

01/17/2014

Unquestionably well-meaning, this tale of an ex-con who teaches some inner-city teens about discipline through chess treads incredibly familiar emotional terrain.

Go to Full Review

Christy Lemire

RogerEbert.com

01/17/2014

2/4

Solid performances-especially from star Cuba Gooding Jr.-elevate the film slightly above the familiar trappings of its genre.

Go to Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

01/16/2014

3/4

An effective, even heartwarming, tale of one man's commitment to teaching that playing by the rules is more important than winning.

Go to Full Review

Julian Lytle

Punch Drunk Critics

01/11/2020

3.5/5

All in all this is a good movie.

Go to Full Review

Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

02/04/2014

3/5

Sentimental, formulaic tale of an inspiring chess teacher.

Go to Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

01/31/2014

The result has a predictably wholesome and formulaic structure, yet is redeemed through solid performances from Gooding and the youngsters, and a heartfelt sincerity that rings true.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

David G.

@IndyDJ Feb 8

Very well done and I always appreciate movies that are based on a True Life Story. This is on my movie Log as a “Red lettered” movie meaning I highly recommend it to others. David G.

See more

Dave C

@RT09838700 Dec 3

A story like many others that have come before, and likely many that will follow. It's a down-and-out tale of character building and endurance, of making good choices, and building resilience. I love CG Jr, and his performance here reaffirms that sentiment. He's well cast, and holds everything and everyone together

See more

Cree J

@RT85363084 Jul 29

Excellent movie, great acting. I truly enjoyed this movie.

See more

Tino S

@RT69650611 01/08/2025

Had the potential to be another Stand and Deliver. Moved too fast with many expected clichés. This would have been so much better as a 2 1/2 hour movie with an awesome build up. Love the story. A remake is necessary.

See more

satan's kid T

@RT21326891 11/03/2024

A very good movie 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

See more

The R

@RT23999627 10/17/2024

An emotional filme what show us how the life is a very big chessboard.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jake Goldberger

Director

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Eugene Brown

Malcolm M. Mays

Tahime

Richard T. Jones

Perry

Paula Jai Parker

Gina Sanders

Carlton Byrd

Clifton

Life of a King: Official Clip - The Radio Show

1:38

Life of a King: Official Clip - You Some Kinda Tough Guy?

2:09

Life of a King: Official Clip - One Mistake

2:13

Life of a King: Official Clip - The Final Round

2:12

Life of a King: Official Clip - They Think I'm Nuts

2:03

Life of a King: Official Clip - I Learned the Board

2:00

Life of a King: Official Clip - The Board of Life

2:13

Life of a King: Official Clip - The King is Your Life

2:09

Life of a King: Official Clip - Chess Club Cancelled

2:12

Life of a King: Official Clip - The Chess House

2:10

View more videos

Battlefield America

8%

53%

Battlefield America

Watchlist

4 Minute Mile

23%

44%

4 Minute Mile

Watchlist

Reach Me

4%

46%

Reach Me

Watchlist

Fences

92%

75%

Fences

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Fences

Coming Through the Rye

68%

65%

Coming Through the Rye

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Coming Through the Rye

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Determined to help at-risk youths avoid the mistakes he made, an ex-con (Cuba Gooding Jr.) forms a chess club to offer them an alternative to running with street gangs.

Director: Jake Goldberger
Producer: Tatiana Kelly, Jim Young
Screenwriter: Jake Goldberger, Dan Wetzel, David Scott
Distributor: Millennium Entertainment
Production Co: Animus Films, Serena Films, Steakhaus Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Content|Brief Violent Images|All Involving Teens|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7K
Runtime: 1h 41m