Taxi (1998)
The high-octane French action-comedy that turned a Marseilles cabbie into a pop-culture icon and launched one of France's biggest film franchises.
Taxi - Movie Information
- Original Title: Taxi
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Gérard Pirès
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Adventure
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: Portuguese, French, German, Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 8, 1998 (France - TP), November 20, 1998 (United States), November 26, 1999 (United Kingdom - 15), August 20, 1998 (Germany - 12), August 29, 1998 (Brazil - 12), January 15, 1999 (Spain - APTA), August 29, 1998 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Такси (BG), Taksi (TR), 的士速递 (CN), Táxi - Velocidade nas Ruas (BR), Taxi (KR), 極速的士 (HK), 終極殺陣 (TW), Kirakash (UZ)
- Production Companies: EuropaCorp, ARP Sélection, TF1 Films Production, StudioCanal
- Production Countries: France
Taxi - Plot
In Marseilles a skilled pizza delivery boy Daniel who drives a scooter finally has his dreams come true. He gets a taxi license. Caught by the police for a huge speed infraction, he will help Emilien, a loser inspector who can't drive, on the track of German bank robbers, so he doesn't lose his license and his dream job.
Taxi - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the streets of Marseilles come alive at full throttle:
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Taxi - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gérard Pirès
Main Cast
- Samy Naceri
- Frédéric Diefenthal
- Marion Cotillard
- Manuela Gourary
- Emma Wiklund
- Bernard Farcy
- Georges Neri
- Guy Quang
- Maurice Murcia
- Sabine Bail
Writers
- Luc Besson
Producers
- Laurent Pétin
- Michèle Pétin
- Luc Besson
Taxi - FAQs
Where can you stream Taxi (1998) online?
Taxi (1998) is available on several platforms in the US. You can watch it free with ads on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, YouTube Free, and Plex. It is also available free via Kanopy and Hoopla. Rental and purchase options exist on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in Taxi (1998)?
The film stars Samy Naceri as Daniel Morales, the speed-obsessed taxi driver, and Frédéric Diefenthal as the hapless police inspector Émilien. Marion Cotillard, in an early career role, plays Daniel's girlfriend Lilly, while Bernard Farcy portrays the exasperated Commissaire Gibert.
Is Taxi (1998) based on a true story?
No, Taxi (1998) is not based on a true story. The film is an original screenplay written by Luc Besson, drawing on the vibrant street culture and urban energy of Marseilles rather than any specific real-life events. It is a purely fictional action-comedy.
What is Taxi (1998) about?
Set in Marseilles, the film follows Daniel, a gifted pizza delivery rider who fulfills his dream of becoming a taxi driver. After a police stop threatens his new license, he strikes a deal with bumbling inspector Émilien: help catch a gang of German bank robbers in exchange for keeping his cab permit.
Did Taxi (1998) launch a major film franchise?
Yes. The 1998 film became a massive hit in France, grossing over 44 million dollars worldwide on an 8.7 million dollar budget. It spawned four French sequels — Taxi 2 (2000), Taxi 3 (2003), Taxi 4 (2007), and Taxi 5 (2018) — as well as an American remake in 2004.
Who directed and wrote Taxi (1998)?
Taxi (1998) was directed by Gérard Pirès and written by Luc Besson, the French filmmaker behind The Fifth Element and Léon: The Professional. Besson also served as a producer alongside Laurent Pétin and Michèle Pétin, giving the film its signature kinetic, high-octane style.
How long is Taxi (1998) and what genre is it?
Taxi (1998) runs approximately 86 minutes, making it a lean, fast-paced watch. The film blends Action, Comedy, Crime, and Adventure genres, delivering high-speed car chases through the streets of Marseilles alongside broad comedic moments and a light crime caper plot.
Is Taxi (1998) worth watching for fans of action comedies?
Taxi (1998) is widely regarded as a fun, energetic crowd-pleaser. Its inventive car chases, sharp comedic chemistry between Naceri and Diefenthal, and Luc Besson's punchy writing made it a box-office phenomenon in France. Fans of fast, lighthearted action comedies will find it thoroughly entertaining.
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