What's Love Got to Do With It

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What's Love Got to Do With It

R

1993

1h 58m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

97%

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59 Reviews

88%

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50,000+ Ratings

Based on the life of the legendary soul singer, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) -- born Anna Mae Bullock -- discovers her love of singing in her Tennessee church choir. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career, and there she meets the charismatic Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who rechristens her Tina and offers to help her succeed. As a musical team, Ike and Tina take the charts by storm. But as his physical abuse worsens, Tina has to make the tough decision to leave Ike and set out on her own.

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Critics Consensus

With a fascinating real-life story and powerhouse performances from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, What's Love Got to Do With It? is a can't miss biopic.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

May 12, 2021

What's Love Got To Do With It may not be quite in the class of George Cukor but it's a lot better, for instance, than Mark Rydell's picking of the bones of Janis Joplin in The Rose.

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Stephen Amidon

Financial Times

Apr 21, 2021

The two leads turn in powerful performances.

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

Apr 21, 2021

As an actor's showcase, the film is a dream.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

7/10

The characterizations and details are occasionally startling; the extent of her husband’s vicious mistreatment and relentless disregard for her safety – and its significant effects on her mental wellbeing – are thoroughly monstrous.

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Joseph Robinson

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

Jul 29, 2023

4.5/5

What's Love Got to Do With It is a classic and should be used as the blueprint for this sort of sweeping biopic: superb acting, a strong script, excellent production value, and access to the artist's material.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

May 12, 2021

A major high spot and a pivotal point in the couple's troubled relationship comes when Phil Spector intrudes to produce 'River Deep, Mountain High'. The power of the song embodies the drama.

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Mani Z

@RT09195060 1 day ago

Rest in peace Tina turner. Angela Bassett is a goddess

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Leonardo S

@LeoShinozaki Sep 6, 2026

Great story. So sad for her! The way in which he used to treat her was so bad... A really resilient and strong woman

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Jordan P.

@JordanPalmerKY Jun 2, 2026

This is a powerful film based on Tina Turner’s book, I Tina, which chronicles the remarkable life of the Queen of Rock and Roll. The movie employs numerous metaphors, such as the rape scene where Tina Turner describes feeling like she was being raped every time Ike Turner had sex with her after a beating. Angela Bassett delivers an exceptional performance in this role, receiving firsthand coaching from Tina Turner herself, as well as Lawrence Fishburn. While both actors were nominated for an Academy Award for their work in this film, neither should have been. Tina Turner, the true heroin and Phoenix of this movie, would go on to sell more concert tickets (more than any other artist) and break concert attendance records, worldwide.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 14, 2026

فلم حلو. القصة متماسكة وسردها المخرج بطريقة ممتازة و متزنة. اداء الممثلين كان رائع و خصوصا البطلة ادائها كان قوي وحضورها رائع. التصوير كان رائع و اختيار الاغاني كان جيد جدا.

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In Obsidian O

@TheTvMartian Nov 14, 2025

My partner convinced me to watch this. I knew little about Tina Turner and expected the same biopic as all others (Self-Indulgent, Celeb Worship Meh) I was not ready to be traumatised. Not for the faint-hearted, this movie captures a dark truth about women's exploitation and does not shy away from the horror of domestic violence. Performances are incredible with Angela Bassett giving an Oscar-worthy performance.

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Tyler S

@tylerking24 Jul 23, 2025

I enjoyed this very much. Tragic to see what Tina Turner went through, but now I can say I generally know her career. The tunes were really freaking good too. And props to Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne on some great performances as Ike and Tina Turner.

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Brian Gibson

Director

Angela Bassett

Tina Turner

Laurence Fishburne

Ike Turner, Sr.

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Jackie

Jenifer Lewis

Zelma Bullock

RaéVen Larrymore Kelly

Young Anna Mae Bullock

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Synopsis

Based on the life of the legendary soul singer, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) -- born Anna Mae Bullock -- discovers her love of singing in her Tennessee church choir. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career, and there she meets the charismatic Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who rechristens her Tina and offers to help her succeed. As a musical team, Ike and Tina take the charts by storm. But as his physical abuse worsens, Tina has to make the tough decision to leave Ike and set out on her own.

Director: Brian Gibson
Producer: Doug Chapin, Barry Krost
Screenwriter: Tina Turner, Kurt Loder, Kate Lanier
Distributor: Abril Vídeo, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.9M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround

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