New Jack City (1991)
Mario Van Peebles' electrifying crime thriller puts Wesley Snipes at the center of New York's crack epidemic in one of the defining urban films of the 1990s.
New Jack City - Movie Information
- Original Title: New Jack City
- Release Year: 1991
- Directed by: Mario Van Peebles
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 8, 1991 (Sweden - 15), March 8, 1991 (United States - R), August 30, 1991 (United Kingdom - 18), August 29, 1991 (Germany - 16), July 10, 1991 (France - 12), October 10, 1991 (Australia - R18+)
- Alternative Titles: New Jack City: A Gangue Brutal (BR), Zehirli Sokaklar (TR)
- Production Companies: Jacmac Films, Jackson-McHenry Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
New Jack City - Plot
A gangster, Nino, is in the Cash Money Brothers, making a million dollars every week selling crack. A cop, Scotty, discovers that the only way to infiltrate the gang is to become a dealer himself.
New Jack City - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of the Cash Money Brothers unfold:
They're a new breed of gangster. The new public enemy. The new family of crime.
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New Jack City - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mario Van Peebles
Main Cast
- Wesley Snipes
- Ice-T
- Allen Payne
- Chris Rock
- Mario Van Peebles
- Michael Michele
- Bill Nunn
- Russell Wong
- Bill Cobbs
- Christopher Williams
Writers
- Thomas Lee Wright
- Barry Michael Cooper
Producers
- Doug McHenry
- George Jackson
New Jack City - FAQs
Is New Jack City based on a true story?
New Jack City is not based on a single true story, but it was heavily inspired by real events. The character of Nino Brown draws from real-life crack kingpins who dominated New York City in the late 1980s, particularly figures associated with the crack epidemic that devastated urban communities during that era.
What makes Wesley Snipes' Nino Brown so iconic?
Wesley Snipes delivers a magnetic, chilling performance as Nino Brown — charming, ruthless, and utterly commanding. His portrayal of a crack kingpin who seizes an entire apartment complex as his empire became one of cinema's most memorable villains, launching Snipes into superstardom and defining an era of urban crime films.
Who are the main actors in New Jack City?
The film stars Wesley Snipes as drug lord Nino Brown and Ice-T as undercover cop Scotty Appleton. The cast also includes Allen Payne, Chris Rock, Mario Van Peebles, Michael Michele, Bill Nunn, Russell Wong, Bill Cobbs, and Christopher Williams.
What is New Jack City about?
New Jack City follows Nino Brown, a ruthless gangster who builds a crack cocaine empire in New York City, earning millions weekly. To bring him down, cop Scotty goes undercover inside the operation. The film is a raw, unflinching look at the crack epidemic's grip on urban America in the late 1980s.
Where can you stream New Jack City?
You can stream New Jack City on fuboTV with a subscription. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of easy ways to watch this classic crime thriller.
What is the age rating for New Jack City?
New Jack City is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require a parent or guardian. The film contains strong language, graphic drug use, violence, and mature themes tied to the crack epidemic and gang culture in New York City.
How did New Jack City perform at the box office?
New Jack City was a major commercial success. Made on a budget of around $8.5 million, the film earned over $47 million at the box office — a remarkable return that proved urban crime dramas could draw massive audiences and helped pave the way for the early 1990s wave of Black cinema.
What are some movies similar to New Jack City?
If you enjoyed New Jack City, you might also like The Informer (2019), Ferry (2021), 5lbs of Pressure (2024), The World Is Yours (2018), and Clean (2022). These films share similar themes of crime, drugs, and moral complexity in gritty urban settings.
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