Most Wanted (1997)
A Marine framed for the First Lady's assassination must outrun the entire U.S. government in this tense conspiracy thriller.
Most Wanted - Movie Information
- Original Title: Most Wanted
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: David Hogan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Portuguese
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 10, 1997 (United States - R), April 3, 1998 (United Kingdom - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Особо опасный преступник (RU), Most Wanted (US), Se busca (ES), 1号通缉令 (CN)
- Production Companies: New Line Cinema, Ivory Way Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Most Wanted - Plot
A Marine on death row is recruited by a shadowy U.S. military officer as part of a top-secret ops team, then gets framed for murder when the team and its officer set him up as the fall guy for the assassination of the First Lady.
Most Wanted - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the conspiracy unfold:
Sometimes the most patriotic thing a Marine can do...is disobey orders. From most honored to Most Wanted.
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Most Wanted - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Hogan
Main Cast
- Keenen Ivory Wayans
- Jon Voight
- Jill Hennessy
- Paul Sorvino
- Eric Roberts
- Robert Culp
- Wolfgang Bodison
- Eddie Velez
- Donna Cherry
- Rick Cramer
Writers
- Keenen Ivory Wayans
Producers
- Eric L. Gold
Most Wanted - FAQs
What is Most Wanted about?
Most Wanted follows Gunnery Sergeant James Dunn, a Marine pulled off death row to join a covert military unit — only to be set up as the fall guy for the assassination of the First Lady. Now a fugitive hunted by the entire country, he has to outrun the government and expose the real conspirators.
Did Keenen Ivory Wayans write Most Wanted?
Yes, Keenen Ivory Wayans both wrote and starred in Most Wanted. He also co-produced the film through Ivory Way Productions, making it a deeply personal project. It was a notable departure from the comedy work he was best known for at the time.
Where can you watch Most Wanted (1997)?
You can rent or buy Most Wanted on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available across digital platforms, so picking it up for a night in is pretty straightforward.
Who are the main actors in Most Wanted?
The film features a strong ensemble cast led by Keenen Ivory Wayans alongside Jon Voight, Jill Hennessy, Paul Sorvino, and Eric Roberts. Robert Culp and Wolfgang Bodison round out the key players in this late-'90s action thriller.
Is Most Wanted based on a true story?
Most Wanted is not based on a true story — it's an original screenplay by Keenen Ivory Wayans. The plot draws on familiar conspiracy thriller tropes: a government frame-up, a lone soldier on the run, and shadowy military figures pulling strings behind the scenes.
What is the age rating for Most Wanted?
Most Wanted is rated R, so it's intended for adult audiences. The film contains action violence, intense sequences, and mature themes consistent with the gritty conspiracy thriller genre. In the UK, it carries a 15 certificate.
How did Most Wanted perform at the box office?
Most Wanted struggled commercially, earning around $11.8 million against a $25 million production budget. It was a disappointing theatrical run for a film with a recognizable cast, though it found a second life on home video in the years that followed.
What are some movies similar to Most Wanted?
If you enjoyed Most Wanted, you might also like Traitor (2008), Sniper (1993), Valkyrie (2008), or Tom Clancy's Without Remorse (2021). They share that same mix of military intrigue, government conspiracy, and a protagonist fighting to clear their name.
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