34 years after it opened in theaters, one of Ridley Scott‘s best movies is about to blast its way onto a new streaming home. Ridley Scott continues to be a Hollywood mainstay, thanks to the likes of Gladiator II, but it’s one of his older classics that’s making an unexpected comeback on streaming. The ’80s and the ’00s were two massive decades for Scott, with the former providing hits like Alien and Blade Runner, and the latter introducing audiences to Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and American Gangster. But, in the ’90s, Ridley Scott snuck in one of his most critically lauded movies, one so popular that it actually gained a life of its own outside of Scott’s filmography. We’re, of course, talking about Thelma & Louise, and it has now landed on streaming.
Thelma & Louise is now available to stream on Prime Video. Released in 1991, Thelma & Louise is a classic of the crime genre, one that’s so beloved, you might have forgotten that it was directed by Ridley Scott. However, in recent years, fans seem to forget Thelma & Louise when discussing Ridley Scott’s greatest movies of all time. The film was added to Prime Video on October 1.
Directed by Scott and written by Callie Khouri, Thelma & Louise starred Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as the eponymous Thelma and Louise. The film features an incredible supporting cast, including the likes of Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, Stephen Tobolowsky, and a young Brad Pitt. The official synopsis reads:
“Meek housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) joins her friend Louise (Susan Sarandon), an independent waitress, on a short fishing trip. However, their trip becomes a flight from the law when Louise shoots and kills a man who tries to rape Thelma at a bar. Louise decides to flee to Mexico, and Thelma joins her. On the way, Thelma falls for sexy young thief J.D. (Brad Pitt) and the sympathetic Detective Slocumb (Harvey Keitel) tries to convince the two women to surrender before their fates are sealed.”
‘Thelma & Louise’ Is an Oscar-Winning Crime Hit
Thelma & Louise might be regarded as a ’90s classic by those who love the movie, but it is often left out of “Best Movies of the 1990s” and “Ridley Scott’s Best Movies” lists. It’s hard to understand why the film has seemingly been pushed to the sidelines, especially considering its incredibly strong critical reception, strong cult status, and Academy recognition.
Thelma & Louise holds a great Rotten Tomatoes score of 87%, from a blend of original and contemporary reviews. Modern audiences continue to enjoy the movie, as it boasts an 82% audience rating. Users praised everything from “Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis’ incredible performances” to the “beautiful story” and, who could forget, “the unforgettable ending.” The film was nominated for six Oscars in 1992, with Sarandon and Davis going against each other for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film won the Oscar for Best Writing. However, Thelma & Louise flopped at the box office. Thankfully, video rentals, DVD sales, and the passing of time helped to cement Thelma & Louise‘s status as a cult classic.
- Release Date
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May 24, 1991
- Runtime
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130 Minutes
- Writers
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Callie Khouri
- Producers
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Mimi Polk Gitlin