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Jungle Fever

Jungle Fever

1991132 minRMidcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
Director
Spike Lee
Starring
Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra, Spike Lee, Ossie Davis

A successful and married black man contemplates having an affair with a white girl from work. He's quite rightly worried that the racial difference would make an already taboo relationship even worse.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Jungle Fever?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Jungle Fever on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Jungle Fever?

Jungle Fever earns 12 badges, led by Standout acting and Word-of-mouth hit.

Show 4 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Jungle Fever worth watching?

Jungle Fever's Midcredits score is the 69th percentile of all films, from 43K ratings across 6 sources. 58% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

69th percentile

Better received than 69% of films

71st percentile among Drama71st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)73rd
Approval (how many liked it)63rd

68 /100

73rd percentile of all films

75th percentile among Drama76th percentile among 1990s

Critics 78 · Audience 67

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

58% liked it

63rd percentile of all films

63rd percentile among Drama66th percentile among 1990s
58% rated it 7–1042% rated it 1–6

Critics 81% · Audience 67%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 4 wins / 11 noms overall

92nd percentile

43K ratings across platforms

93rd percentile among Drama88th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 43% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$14M
Opening weekend$5.3M
Domestic gross$32M
Worldwide gross$44M

Returned 3.1× its budget — 94th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Spike Lee's ambitious film is a messy, overstuffed blend of racial themes and subplots anchored by a strong cast.

Fans praised

  • Samuel L. Jackson's standout crack-addict performance
  • Powerful scenes: girl talk, crackhouse, family confrontations
  • Strong supporting cast and authentic New York atmosphere

Detractors panned

  • Messy, overstuffed script juggling too many themes
  • Preachy and heavy-handed race message
  • Weak central romance lacking chemistry

What stands out

Acting82

Jackson, Davis, Turturro, and Snipes praised; Berry's debut criticized by some

CinematographyDivisive70

Vivid colors and distinct style, but harsh oranges distract

Emotional impactDivisive65

Heartbreaking family moments, but central romance lacks emotion

Sound and music60

Stevie Wonder soundtrack effective, but sometimes too loud

CharactersDivisive55

Supporting characters vivid, leads underdeveloped and unlikable

Dialogue55

Realistic conversations, but preachy and loaded at times

Plot and storyDivisive40

Sprawling subplots, loose structure, and unfocused narrative

Pacing35

Too long, drags in middle, ends abruptly

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 10 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 12 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 13 points higher than US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Jungle Fever like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Harrowing: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for a hard story that does not look away.

It is intense and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want every question answered.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and a taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Harrowing.

Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: late
Dry humor
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Melodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its racial subject matter seriously and without irony, playing the drama straight.
The rideThe mood is consistently tense and serious, with the heaviest emotional weight in the tragic final scenes.
StructureConventional chronology following Flipper and Angie's affair from beginning to end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

The answer rests on this: Thought-provokingHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's racial critique and tragic ending linger, prompting reflection on prejudice and its costs.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).TragedyHubris
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% (this title) · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Hubris: Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).

9% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe film charts the tragic consequences of an interracial affair driven by curiosity and social pressures.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPrejudiceSociety
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% (this title) · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9% (this title): Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% (this title) · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Society

Prejudice · 3% of filmsBetrayal · 5% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film examines how racial prejudice from all sides destroys a relationship and the people around it.
StanceThe film interrogates racism in society through multiple characters whose lives intersect.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernJazzSupportive music · original score · Terence Blanchard
Setting1990s New York: Harlem and Bensonhurst
MusicBlanchard's score mixes jazz and orchestral elements to underscore the emotional and racial tensions.

Content guide

Is Jungle Fever okay for kids?

R

Jungle Fever is rated R: “Rated R for sensuality, strong language, drug content, and for violence” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (70/100), sexual content at intense (68/100), language at severe (97/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (88/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). Its drug and alcohol content has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 94% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • AustraliaM
  • Brazil18
  • Sweden15
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 96% of all filmsHeavier than 94% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 51%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 85%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 99%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 57%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: language, violence, sexual content, and frightening material.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Jungle Fever have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Jungle Fever?

Cast

Wesley Snipes
as Flipper Purify
Annabella Sciorra
as Angie Tucci
Spike Lee
as Cyrus
Ossie Davis
as The Good Reverend Doctor Purify
Ruby Dee
as Lucinda Purify
Samuel L. Jackson
as Gator Purify
Lonette McKee
as Drew
John Turturro
as Paulie Carbone
Frank Vincent
as Mike Tucci
Anthony Quinn
as Lou Carbone

Crew

Directed by

Spike Lee

Written by

Spike Lee

Cinematography

Ernest Dickerson

Edited by

Sam Pollard

Music by

Terence Blanchard

Produced by

Jon KilikSpike LeeMonty Ross

More like this

What are movies like Jungle Fever?

Movies like Jungle Fever include Do the Right Thing (1989), 25th Hour (2002) and Summer of Sam (1999). Of the 12 closest matches, several are forbidden-love stories, and most are films set in New York.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Spike Lee wrote and directed 3 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Jungle Fever?

3.6K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: melodrama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.