The Blues Brothers (1980)
John Landis's raucous musical comedy sends two brothers on a divine mission — and one of cinema's greatest car chases.
The Blues Brothers - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Blues Brothers
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: John Landis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Music, Comedy, Action, Crime
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 13m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 16, 1980 (United States - R), June 20, 1980 (Canada), October 10, 1980 (United Kingdom - 15), October 16, 1980 (Germany - 12), November 7, 1980 (France - TP), October 10, 1980 (Australia - M), April 16, 1981 (Brazil - 14), November 13, 1980 (Italy - T), May 20, 1990 (Spain - A), December 20, 1981 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Os Irmãos Cara de Pau (PT), Los Hermanos Caradura (MX), The Blues Brothers - A blues testvérek (HU), ブルース・ブラザース (JP), The Blues Brothers (IT), 蓝调兄弟 (HK), The Blues Brothers: Granujas a todo ritmo (ES)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Blues Brothers - Plot
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
The Blues Brothers - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos unfold from the very beginning:
They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God.
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The Blues Brothers - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Landis
Main Cast
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- James Brown
- Cab Calloway
- Ray Charles
- Aretha Franklin
- Steve Cropper
- Donald 'Duck' Dunn
- Murphy Dunne
- Willie Hall
Writers
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Landis
Producers
- Robert K. Weiss
The Blues Brothers - FAQs
What is the famous 'mission from God' line about?
The phrase "We're on a mission from God" is one of cinema's most beloved catchphrases, delivered deadpan by John Belushi as Jake Blues. It becomes the brothers' running justification for every reckless stunt they pull while trying to save their childhood orphanage — equal parts absurd and oddly sincere.
Who are the main actors in The Blues Brothers?
The film stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as Elwood and Jake Blues. The cast is stacked with legends: James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin all appear, alongside Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Murphy Dunne, and Willie Hall as the band.
Is The Blues Brothers based on a true story?
Not exactly — but it has real roots. Jake and Elwood Blues originated as a musical comedy act that Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi developed on Saturday Night Live in the late 1970s. The characters were fictional, though the soul and blues music they championed was very much authentic.
Where can I watch The Blues Brothers?
You can watch The Blues Brothers by renting or buying it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available across major digital platforms, so picking it up for a night in is pretty easy.
How did The Blues Brothers perform at the box office?
The Blues Brothers was a genuine hit. Made on a $27 million budget, it earned over $115 million worldwide — a strong return that cemented its status as a commercial success. Over the decades it grew into a full-blown cult classic, beloved by new generations of fans.
What genre is The Blues Brothers?
The Blues Brothers blends Music, Comedy, Action, and Crime into one gloriously chaotic package. It's part road movie, part musical revue, and part car-chase spectacular — a genre mashup that really shouldn't work as well as it does, yet somehow delivers on every front.
How long is The Blues Brothers?
The Blues Brothers runs 133 minutes — just over two hours. It's a generous runtime, but the film fills it with wall-to-wall musical performances, spectacular car chases, and enough comedic mayhem to keep things moving at a lively pace from start to finish.
What are some movies similar to The Blues Brothers?
If you enjoyed The Blues Brothers, you might love Thelma & Louise for its road-trip energy, Down by Law for its offbeat crime comedy, or Still Crazy for its music-driven laughs. For something with a similar spirit of chaotic fun, The Lost Boys and Brubaker are also worth a look.
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