Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Purple Rain

Play trailer Poster for Purple Rain R 1984 1h 51m Musical Drama Romance Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
74% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Purple Rain

Purple Rain

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Purple Rain makes for undeniably uneven cinema, but it's held together by its star's singular charisma -- not to mention a slew of classic songs.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Joel Selvin San Francisco Chronicle Dec 8, 2025
4/4
The film hangs on the flimsiest of plots, but the movie is really about Prince delivering the message in his music. And it is above all a frankly sentimental film about love -- not sex, fired by the spectacular music. Go to Full Review Eric Deggans NPR Nov 28, 2019
Purple Rain became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music. Go to Full Review Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter Aug 7, 2018
Even those who aren't Prince fans are likely to be captivated by its energy, enamored with its simple, often poignant storyline. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 16, 2025
3/4
The drama is clunky, the acting is awful more often than not, and the casual sexism simmers throughout. But whenever Prince takes the stage, the picture irresistibly exudes sex, sweat, and swagger in equal measure. Go to Full Review Douglas Corzine Washington City Paper Sep 15, 2025
Purple Rain features some of the most thrilling musical sequences ever put on film. Go to Full Review Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Mar 6, 2025
4/5
More than just an extended music video. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Anthony J @jenkinsdraws Sep 16, 2026 A Prince vanity video. The music is good but Price is insufferably vain as well as misogynistic, pouty, a woman beater and an egomaniac. The plot, such as it is, is almost unimportant. See more Jeremy P. @Jezza_Linko Aug 12, 2026 One of the greatest movies of all time for music concert in real life survival and childhood abuse from his dumb father See more Allan C @RT15713161 Jul 12, 2026 The Purple One’s origin story! Purple Rain (1984) **** Purple Rain is an irresistible showcase for Prince, whose magnetic screen presence and unforgettable music easily overcome the film's uneven melodrama. Though its treatment of abusive relationships has aged poorly, the electrifying performances and iconic soundtrack make it one of the defining rock movies of the 1980s. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW See more Jacob G @RT02487659 Jul 11, 2026 I absolutely love this movie. It has such great music, the atmosphere is so cool and seeing Prince and his actual band performing is awesome. See more Jonathan O @RT41230270 Jun 6, 2026 Not sure if is based on Prince life story but is entertaining and Prince performance is actually good and songs are really electrifying and memorable and Morris Day performance is so cartoonish and this new 4K restoration with Dolby Vision looks unbelievable. See more Erick M @Purplehouse Apr 25, 2026 ITS STILL BETTER THAN ALL OF THE MUSIC BIO PICS EVER MADE. BETTER THAN ELVIS, BETTER THAN MICHAEL AND BETTER THAN BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. See more Read all reviews
Purple Rain

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Albert Magnoli

Director

Prince

The Kid

Apollonia Kotero

Apollonia

Morris Day

Morris

Jerome Benton

Jerome

Clarence Williams III

Father

More Like This

View All
Vision Quest 63% 78% Vision Quest Watchlist The Bonfire of the Vanities 15% 26% The Bonfire of the Vanities Watchlist Once 97% 91% Once Watchlist TRAILER for Once The Bodyguard 38% 64% The Bodyguard Watchlist One From the Heart 51% 60% One From the Heart Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
View All

Purple Rain

Purple Rain (1984) Purple Rain (1984) Purple Rain (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.
Director
Albert Magnoli
Producer
Robert Cavallo, Steven Fargnoli, Joseph Ruffalo
Screenwriter
William Blinn
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros., Purple Films
Rating
R
Genre
Musical, Drama, Romance, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Mar 5, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 15, 2008
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Surround
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings