Nuns on the Run (1990)
A riotous British comedy in which two crooks on the run from their gangster boss take the ultimate disguise — dressing up as nuns.
Nuns on the Run - Movie Information
- Original Title: Nuns on the Run
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Crime
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Cantonese
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 16, 1990 (United States - PG-13), May 4, 1990 (United Kingdom - 12), June 28, 1990 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Τα Ράσα Δεν Κάνουν τις Καλόγριες (GR), Monjas a la carrera (ES), נזירות ממין זכר (IL), Монашки в бегах (RU), ナンズ・オン・ザ・ラン 走れ!尼さん (JP)
- Production Companies: Handmade Films, 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Nuns on the Run - Plot
Set up by their boss to be knocked off following a final heist, soon-to-retire crooks Brian Hope and Charlie McManus get wind of their impending demise and run off with the spoils of their crime. Fleeing their boss, the drug dealers they robbed, the police, and Brian's angry girlfriend, the duo take refuge in a training convent for nuns. In disguise, they convince Sister Superior that they're nuns, a charade they're forced to maintain as their enemies arrive.
Nuns on the Run - Trailer
See the habit-wearing hijinks for yourself in the official trailer:
From now on, it's every nun for himself!
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Nuns on the Run - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jonathan Lynn
Main Cast
- Eric Idle
- Robbie Coltrane
- Camille Coduri
- Janet Suzman
- Doris Hare
- Lila Kaye
- Robert Patterson
- Tom Hickey
- Winston Dennis
- Ozzie Yue
Writers
- Jonathan Lynn
Producers
- Denis O'Brien
- George Harrison
- Michael White
Nuns on the Run - FAQs
What is Nuns on the Run about?
Nuns on the Run follows two small-time crooks, Brian Hope and Charlie McManus, who steal from their gangster boss and go on the run. Cornered by criminals, drug dealers, and the police, they hide in a convent by disguising themselves as nuns — with hilariously chaotic results.
Is Nuns on the Run worth watching?
If you enjoy classic British comedy, absolutely. Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane make a brilliantly mismatched duo, and their fish-out-of-water antics in a convent deliver plenty of laughs. It's a lighthearted, fast-paced romp that holds up well as a fun piece of early-90s British comedy filmmaking.
Where can I watch Nuns on the Run?
Streaming availability for Nuns on the Run varies by region and can change over time. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks all current rental, purchase, and streaming options in your area so you can find the easiest way to watch it right now.
Do Brian and Charlie actually fool the nuns?
Mostly, yes — and that's where much of the comedy comes from. The two manage to convince Sister Superior they're genuine nuns, but keeping up the charade while dodging gangsters, drug dealers, and suspicious sisters makes for a wonderfully escalating series of close calls and comic disasters throughout the film.
Who are the main actors in Nuns on the Run?
The film stars Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane as the two hapless crooks at the center of the story. They're joined by Camille Coduri as Brian's girlfriend Faith, Janet Suzman as the formidable Sister Superior, and a strong supporting cast including Doris Hare and Lila Kaye.
Was George Harrison involved in producing this film?
Yes! George Harrison co-produced Nuns on the Run through Handmade Films, the production company he co-founded. Handmade Films had a strong track record with British comedies, having previously backed Monty Python's Life of Brian and Time Bandits, making it a natural home for this kind of irreverent humor.
Who directed and wrote Nuns on the Run?
Jonathan Lynn both wrote and directed the film. Lynn was already well known as the co-creator of the beloved British sitcoms Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. Nuns on the Run was one of his early feature films before he went on to direct My Cousin Vinny in 1992.
What are similar films to Nuns on the Run?
Fans of Nuns on the Run tend to enjoy other crime comedies like We're No Angels (1989), The Ladykillers (1955), and Take the Money and Run (1969). For more recent picks, The Little Hours (2017) and Pixie (2020) share a similarly irreverent blend of religious settings and comic chaos.
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