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Trailer

Big Trouble in Little China

1986Movie1 h 40 minPG-13

66
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Letterboxd3.7/5Metacritic537.2Rotten Tomatoes65%82%

A pulse-pounding, breakneck action movie about fantasy and pop culture.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Skip it if you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

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Not for tears or romance.

Movies with

Story

Jack Burton's in for some serious trouble and you're in for some serious fun.

Truck driver Jack Burton gets embroiled in a supernatural battle when his best friend Wang Chi's green-eyed fiancée is kidnapped by henchmen of the sorcerer Lo Pan, who must marry a girl with green eyes in order to return to the human realm.

Feels like

  • Action-Comedy
  • Fantasy Adventure
  • Cult Classic
  • Martial Arts
  • Supernatural Elements
  • Pop Culture Influences
  • Over-the-Top
  • Practical Effects
  • Eccentric Characters

Cast

24 of 37

Crew

Directed by
John Carpenter
Written by
Gary Goldman, David Z. Weinstein
Produced by
Larry Franco
Music by
John Carpenter, Alan Howarth

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 30, 1986 · 1 h 40 min · PG-13

Released
May 30, 1986
Runtime
1 h 40 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence
Genres
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Original language
English
Also spoken
cn
Made in
United States
Budget
$25 million
Box office
$11 million
Available in
81 countries

Tropes

Guns Are Worthless, Bloodless Carnage, Cutting the Knot +9

  • Guns Are Worthless
  • Bloodless Carnage
  • Cutting the Knot
  • Call-Back
  • Mighty Whitey
  • Eyes Do Not Belong There
  • Mooks
  • No "Police" Option
  • Intimidation Demonstration
  • "Pop!" Goes the Human
  • Took a Level in Badass
  • Wait Here

12 of 180 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Big Trouble in Little China?"

Questions about Big Trouble in Little China

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Big Trouble in Little China?

Philo

In the United States, Big Trouble in Little China is free with ads on Philo. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Microsoft Store. It also streams in 54 other countries.

Is Big Trouble in Little China worth watching?

66
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66 (IMDb 7.2, Letterboxd 3.7 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 65%, and Metacritic 53). Audiences rate it higher (75 out of 100) than critics (59).

Is Big Trouble in Little China okay for kids?

PG-13Violence

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Will Big Trouble in Little China make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly slapstick (8 of 10) and sharp wit (7 of 10).

Can I half-watch Big Trouble in Little China?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Was Big Trouble in Little China a box office flop?

Budget$25 million
Box office$11 million

Yes: it cost about $25 million to make and earned $11 million worldwide, 44% of its budget.

What tropes does Big Trouble in Little China use?

Guns Are WorthlessBloodless CarnageCutting the KnotCall-BackMighty WhiteyEyes Do Not Belong ThereMooksNo "Police" OptionIntimidation Demonstration"Pop!" Goes the HumanTook a Level in BadassWait Hereand 168 more

TV Tropes lists 180 tropes for it, including Guns Are Worthless, Bloodless Carnage, and Cutting the Knot.