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Ball of Fire

1941·Movie
1h 51min·NR
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.7Metacritic787.2Rotten Tomatoes100%89%
IMDb7.7Metacritic787.2Rotten Tomatoes100%89%

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Ball of Fire fingerprint

Funny, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline3
  • Tension3

Heart

Romantic and wholesome

  • Romance8
  • Wholesome8
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and sharp wit

  • Situational Comedy9
  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Physical Comedy6

World

Kept in the background

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability7
  • World Immersion6

Craft

Standout performances and dialogue

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

“I LOVE HIM because he doesn't know how to kiss—THE JERK!”

A group of academics have spent years shut up in a house working on the definitive encyclopedia. When one of them discovers that his entry on slang is hopelessly outdated, he ventures into the wide world to learn about the evolving language. Here he meets Sugarpuss O’Shea, a nightclub singer, who’s on top of all the slang—and, it just so happens, needs a place to stay.
Classic Screwball ComedyQuirky RomanceWitty DialogueCharming Ensemble CastUplifting StoryCultural ClashGolden Age of HollywoodProfessor meets Showgirl

Crew

Directed by:
Howard Hawks, John Sherwood, Arthur Rosson
Written by:
Billy Wilder, Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett
Produced by:
Samuel Goldwyn, Earl Rettig
Composed by:
Alfred Newman, Martha Tilton, Frank Maher

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Ball of Fire

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ball of Fire legally?

PrimeKanopyHooplaYouTube TVPlexFawesomeTubi TV

Ball of Fire is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Ball of Fire worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ball of Fire rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is Ball of Fire?

1 h 51 min

Ball of Fire runs 1 h 51 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Ball of Fire?

Critics89
Audiences79

Not quite. Critics rate Ball of Fire higher (89) than audiences (79). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Ball of Fire in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Ball of Fire?

29AGATAUBBBMBRBSBZCACHCRDEDOES+15

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ball of Fire in 29 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Ball of Fire use?

William TellingGetting Crap Past the RadarDefrosting Ice KingGibberish of LoveLeave the Two Lovebirds AloneSingle Woman Seeks Good ManThird-Act MisunderstandingFreudian SlipPost-Kiss CatatoniaMundane Made AwesomeZip Me UpDeadpan Snarkerand 80 more

TV Tropes lists 92 storytelling tropes for Ball of Fire, including William Telling, Getting Crap Past the Radar, Defrosting Ice King.