Malcolm X
A charismatic activist rises from prison to become a powerful voice for Black liberation, battling entrenched racism and personal turmoil as he strives to reshape America’s conscience.
“Scholar, convict, leader, disciple, hipster, father, hustler, minister, black man, every man.”
Synopsis
This entry is a tribute to the influential Black activist and leader in the struggle for Black liberation. During his imprisonment in the 1950s, he experienced a low point in his life, which led him to convert to the Black Muslim faith and later become a prominent leader within the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left behind a legacy centered on self-determination and racial pride.
Credits
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How many hands made this film
The scale of the collaboration
A crew of 317+ credited
Why a floor?
This is a minimum, not a total. We only count the credits we’ve captured so far, and coverage is uneven — a blockbuster might show a few hundred names while another of the same size shows a couple dozen. The real crews all ran into the thousands. The number here only grows as full credits are enriched — so we frame it as a floor, never a headcount.
Craft leads on file
Edited by Barry Alexander BrownShot by Ernest DickersonScored by Terence BlanchardDesigned by Wynn Thomas
Box Office
1992 · Box office
⚖️ Fell short of break-even — grossed 1.4× its budget
Why 2.5×?
Cinemas keep roughly half of every ticket sold, and a wide release’s marketing often costs about as much again as the film — so a movie needs to gross around 2.5× its production budget just to break even theatrically. It’s a rule of thumb, not the studio’s ledger (home video and streaming come later).
Worldwide gross
$48.2M
Opening weekend: $9.9M — 20% of its US run.
Opening week (7-day): $18.3M — 38% of its US & Canada run.
Peak 1,124 theaters
Community tags
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Cast & Crew
317 unique people credited
Top billed cast
Denzel Washington
as Malcolm X
Angela Bassett
as Betty Shabazz
Delroy Lindo
as West Indian Archie
Albert Hall
as Baines
Spike Lee
as Shorty
Al Freeman Jr
as Elijah Muhammad
Theresa Randle
as Laura
Kate Vernon
as Sophia
Lonette Mckee
as Louise Little
Tommy Hollis
as Earl Little
James Mcdaniel
as Brother Earl
Ernest Lee Thomas
as Sidney
Supporting cast
297Jean Claude La Marre
as Benjamin 2X
O L Duke
as Pete
Larry Mccoy
as Sammy
Maurice Sneed
as Cadillac
Debi Mazar
as Peg
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
as Honey
Scot Anthony Robinson
as Daniel
Sonny Jim Gaines
as Cholly
Joe Seneca
as Toomer
Latanya Richardson Jackson
as Lorraine
Wendell Pierce
as Ben Thomas
Michael Guess
as William X
Leland Gantt
as Wilbur Kinley
Giancarlo Esposito
as Thomas Hayer
Leonard L Thomas
as Leon Davis
Roger Guenveur Smith
as Rudy
Craig Wasson
as TV Host
Graham Brown
as Dr. Payson
Gerica Cox
as Eva Marie
Kristan Rai Segure
as Saudi
Lauren Padick
as Lisha
Danielle Fletcher
as Attalah
Frank Adu
as Chuck
Aleta Mitchell
as Sister Robin
Curt Williams
as Mr. Cooper
John Ottavino
as Blades
John Reidy
as Simmons
Frances Foster
as Woman Outside Audubon Ballroom
Reggie Montgomery
as Dick Jones
David Patrick Kelly
as Mr. Ostrowski
Gary L Catus
as Doctor
Sharon Washington
as Augusta
Shirley Stoler
as Mrs. Swerlin
Oran Juice Jones
as Hustler
Ricky Gordon
as Lionel Hampton
George Lee Miles
as Preacher
Raye Dowell
as Sister Evelyn Williams
Veronica Webb
as Sister Lucille Rosary
Abdul Salaam El Razzac
as Fox
Keith Randolph Smith
as Brother Gene
George Guidall
as Mr. Holway
James L Swain
as Conductor
Peewee Love
as Speedy
Lawrence James
as Tully
Steve White
as Brother Johnson
K Smith
as Roderick
Christopher Rubin
as Sophia's Husband
Matthew Harris
as Malcolm, 5 Years Old
Zakee Howze
as Young Malcolm
Cytia Fontenette
as Hilda, 3 Years Old
Marlaine Bass
as Hilda, 8 Years Old
Benjamin Atwell
as Philbert, 1 Years Old
Peter Dunn
as Philbert, 6 Years Old
Dion Smack Jr
as Reginald, 2 Years Old
Darnell Smith
as Elijah Muhammad's Grandson
Tainesha Scott
as Elijah Muhammad's Granddaughter
Chelsea Counts
as Yvonne, 6 Months Old
Chela Counts
as Yvonne, 6 Months Old
Natalie Clanton
as Yvonne, 1 Year Old
Jessica Givens
as Attalah
Latoyah Bigelow
as Qubillah, 3 Years Old
Martaleah Jackson
as Ilyasah, 2 and 3 Years Old
Tamaraleah Jackson
as Ilyasah, 2 and 3 Years Old
Jasmine Smith
as Ilyasah, 2 and 3 Years Old
Valentino Smith
as Wilfred, 4 Years Old
David Thomas Jr
as Wilfred, 8 Years Old
Simon Do Ley
as Son of Elijah Muhammad and Secretary Evelyn Williams
Bill Goldberg
as The 'John'
Jonathan Peck
as Phone Voice (voice)
Leonard Parker
as Jason
Lennis Washington
as Mrs. Johnson
Dyan Humes
as Maid at open air marker
Lizbeth Mackay
as White Woman in market
Terry Layman
as CIA Agent
Terry Sumter
as CIA Agent
Jasper Mcgruder
as Hotel Clerk
Mary Alice
as School Teacher
Wyatt Tee Walker
as Hospital Spokesperson
Hazel Medina
as Cashier Person
Wendy E Taylor
as Numbers Woman
Ed Herlihy
as Joe Louis Announcer
Ralph Cooper Sr
as Radio Announcer
Christian J Dacosta
as Passerby
Karen Duffy
as Sophia’s Friend
Walter Jones
as Barber's Customer
Marc Phillips
as Photographer
Showman Uneke
as Hustler at Grand Central Station
Theara Ward
as Moviegoer
Larry M Cherry
as Prison Barber
Clebert Ford
as Barber
Grafton Trew
as Barber
Rogers Simon
as Barber
George T Odom
as Barber
Vincent Moscaritola
as Prison Guard
Larry Attile
as Guard Baines
Brendan Kelly
as Guard Cone
John Griesemer
as Guard Wilkins
Fia Porter
as Coed
Billy J Mitchell
as Man #1
Kent C Jackman
as Man #2
Beatrice Winde
as Elderly Woman
Fracaswell Hyman
as Bartender
Rion Johnson
as Shoeshine Boy
Charles Weldon
as Follower at Temple #7
Mike Hodge
as Follower at Temple #7
Iris Little Thomas
as Follower at Temple #7
Ilyasah Shabazz
as Follower at Temple #7
Bahni Turpin
as Follower at Temple #7
Aaron Blackshear
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Nilyne Fields
as Student in Harlem Classroom
John David Washington
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Rudi Bascomb
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Muhammad Parks
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Chinere Parry
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Ian Quiles
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Sharmeek Martinez
as Student in Harlem Classroom
Chuck Cooper
as Customer
Damon Chandler
as Customer
Shellye Broughton
as Customer
Nicholas Barnwell
as Customer
Sam Dixon
as Customer
Barbara Smith
as Customer
Rome Neal
as Prisoner
Earl Whitted
as Prisoner
Michael C Mahon
as Prisoner
Addison Cook
as Prisoner
Byron Utley
as Prisoner
George Rafferty
as Prisoner
Maxwell Sinovoi
as Prisoner
Eric Sharp
as Prisoner
Stewart J Zully
as TV Reporter
Colleen Cowan
as TV Reporter
Armand Schultz
as TV Reporter
Reade Kelly
as TV Reporter
Janet Zarish
as TV Reporter
Annie Corley
as TV Reporter
Stephen James
as TV Reporter
Steven Randazzo
as TV Reporter
Chris Skutch
as TV Reporter
William Swinton
as TV Reporter
Marcus Naylor
as TV Reporter
Anthony Nocerino
as TV Reporter
Gareth Williams
as JFK Reporter
Stephen Hanan
as JFK Reporter
Richard Schiff
as JFK Reporter
David Berman
as JFK Reporter
Michael Imperioli
as Reporter at Fire Bombing
Steve Stapenhorst
as Reporter at Fire Bombing
Arthur French
as Pullman Porter
Lex Monson
as Pullman Porter
Judd Jones
as Pullman Porter
C E Smith
as Fountain Waiter
Erika Smith Brown
as Waitress
Raymond Anthony Thomas
as Crowd Member
Delilah Picart
as Crowd Member
Michael Ralph
as Crowd Member
Monique Cintron
as Hooker
Jake Ann Jones
as Hooker
Sharon Ferguson
as Hooker / Roseland Dancer
Amelia Mimi Walker
as Hooker
Neisha Folkes Lemelle
as Hooker
Karen Michaels
as Hooker
Lenore Pemberton
as Hooker
Elise Neal
as Hooker
Felicia Wilson
as Hooker
Yvette Brooks
as Hooker
Teresa Yvon Farley
as Young Hooker
John Sayles
as FBI Agent
Martin Donovan
as FBI Agent
Jay Charbonneau
as Cop at Audubon
Joe Pentangelo
as Mounted Police
Mike Farley
as Mounted Police
Nick Muglia
as Mounted Police
David Reilly
as Mounted Police
Nicholas Turturro
as Boston Cop
James Murtaugh
as Cop at Harlem Station
William Fichtner
as Cop at Harlem Station
Tim Kelleher
as Cop at Harlem Station
Michael Cullen
as Desk Sergeant
James Macdonald
as Lieutenant
Steve Aronson
as Black Legion Leader
Bill Anagnos
as Black Legion Member
Don Hewitt Sr
as Black Legion Member
Jery Hewitt
as Black Legion Member
Joe Fitos
as KKK Member
Manny Siverio
as KKK Member
John P Jack Mclaughlin
as KKK Member
Shawn O Neil
as KKK Member
Andy Duppin
as KKK Member
Elmer Licciardello
as KKK Member
Matthew Underwood
as DJ at the Harlem 'Y' Dance
Renton Kirk
as DJ at the Harlem 'Y' Dance
Tim Hutchinson
as Fruit of Islam
Andre Blair
as Fruit of Islam
Abdul Hakeem Hijrah
as Fruit of Islam
Rony Clanton
as Fruit of Islam
Scott Whitehurst
as Malcolm's FOI
Eric Payne
as Malcolm's FOI
Ali A Wahhab
as Malcolm's FOI
Terry Hodges
as Malcolm's FOI
Kevan Gibbs
as Malcolm's FOI
Dana S Hubbard
as Malcolm's FOI
David Reivers
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Robert Jason
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Kevin Rock
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Mansoor Najee Ullah
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Dion Graham
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Zaahir Muhammad
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Gregory Bargeman
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Lee Summers
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Rich Gordon
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Larry Rushing
as Elijah Muhammad's FOI
Monty Ross
as MC - Roseland
Eddie Davis
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trumpet
Reggie Pittman
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trumpet
Patrick Rickman
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trumpet
Gerald Brazel
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trumpet
Clack Gaton
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trombone
Richard Owens
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trombone
Douglas Purviance
as Lionel Hampton Band - Trombone
Mark Gross
as Lionel Hampton Band - Alto Saxophone
Cleave Guyton Jr
as Lionel Hampton Band - Alto Saxophone
Javon Jackson
as Lionel Hampton Band - Tenor Saxophone
Lance Bryant
as Lionel Hampton Band - Tenor Saxophone
Daniel Lemelle
as Lionel Hampton Band - Baritone Saxophone
David Fludd
as Lionel Hampton Band - Piano
Marcus Lauper
as Lionel Hampton Band - Bass
Dwayne Cook Broadnax
as Lionel Hampton Band - Drums
Preston Vismale
as Lionel Hampton Band - Music Assistant
Miki Howard
as Billie Holiday Quartet - Billie Holiday
Terence Blanchard
as Billie Holiday Quartet - Trumpet
Bruce David Barth
as Billie Holiday Quartet - Piano
Rodney Whitaker
as Billie Holiday Quartet - Bass
William E Kilson
as Billie Holiday Quartet - Drums
Sonny Allen
as Roseland Dancer
Vanessa Benton
as Roseland Dancer
Cheryl Burr
as Roseland Dancer
Leslie Dockery
as Roseland Dancer
Cisco Drayton
as Roseland Dancer
Byron Easley
as Roseland Dancer
John Elejaide
as Roseland Dancer
Debra Elkins
as Roseland Dancer
Gina Ellis
as Roseland Dancer
John Festa
as Roseland Dancer
Robert H Fowler Iii
as Roseland Dancer
Ryan Francois
as Roseland Dancer
Phillip Gilmore
as Roseland Dancer
Jauquette Green
as Roseland Dancer
Wendy King
as Roseland Dancer
Jerome Jamal Hardeman
as Roseland Dancer
Dawn Hampton
as Roseland Dancer
Monique Harcum
as Roseland Dancer
Raymond Harris
as Roseland Dancer
Delphine T Mantz
as Roseland Dancer
Bernard Marsh
as Roseland Dancer
Greta Martin
as Roseland Dancer
Norma Miller
as Roseland Dancer
Frances Morgan
as Roseland Dancer
John Parks
as Roseland Dancer
Greg Poland
as Roseland Dancer
Judine Hawkins Richard
as Roseland Dancer
Eartha Robinson
as Roseland Dancer
Michelle Robinson
as Roseland Dancer
Tracy Robinson
as Roseland Dancer
Ken Leigh Rogers
as Roseland Dancer
Eddie Sanabria
as Roseland Dancer
Eddie Shellman
as Roseland Dancer
Lynn Sterling
as Roseland Dancer
Keith Thomas
as Roseland Dancer
Debbie Williams
as Roseland Dancer
Charles Young
as Roseland Dancer
Anthony Dewitt
as Roseland Dancer
Cynthia Thomas
as Shorty's Dance Partner
Sharon Brooks
as Skeleton Crew Dancer
Laurieann Gibson
as Skeleton Crew Dancer
El Tahara Ibrahim
as Skeleton Crew Dancer
Keith Lewis
as Skeleton Crew Dancer
Dereque Whithurs
as Skeleton Crew Dancer
Kiki Della Vecchia
as Teenage Whore
Bobby Seale
as Speaker #1
Al Sharpton
as Speaker #2
Christopher Plummer
as Chaplain Gill
Karen Allen
as Miss Dunne
Peter Boyle
as Captain Green
William Kunstler
as The Judge
Nelson Mandela
as Soweto Teacher
Ossie Davis
as Eulogy Performer (voice)
Michael Albanese
as Harvard Law Student (uncredited)
Ashanti
as Student in Harlem Classroom (uncredited)
Dan Gifford
as Prison Guard (uncredited)
Mark Gorham
as Police Chief's Driver (uncredited)
Ralph Hughes
as FOI Member (uncredited)
Eddie Kehler
as Harlem Cop (uncredited)
Frankie Manning
as Roseland Dancer (uncredited)
Charles Mitchell
as Prison Inmate (uncredited)
Sonya Wallace
as Crowd Member (uncredited)
Joe James
as Shooter (voice, uncredited)
Directors
1Writers
4Producers
2Other crew
5Parents Guide
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