Tyler Perry Movies
As an actor, writer, producer, and director of films and stage plays, the New Orleans-born Tyler Perry began his career as a dramatist in 1992. When inspired by Oprah Winfrey to channel his creativity through writing, Perry put pen to paper as a method of healing the wounds that lingered from a painful childhood. His first production, entitled I Know I've Been Changed, hit the stage to rapturous reviews in 1997, and following a collaborative period with Bishop T.D. Jakes that resulted in the plays Woman, Thou Art Loosed and Behind Closed Doors, Perry flew solo to create cantankerous 68-year-old grandmother Mabel "Madea" Simmons (whom Perry played, in full drag) in I Can Do Bad All by Myself around 2000 A slew of Madea-based projects were quick to follow, and shortly thereafter Perry joined Grammy Award-winner Kelly Price for the play Why Did I Get Married?. His plays garnered countless fans thanks to Perry's trademark practice of releasing them on home video. Throughout this period, many credited Perry with resuscitating (and reinventing) African-American theater; in the process, Perry's first eight plays reportedly earned a cumulative gross of over 75 million dollars in ticket and video sales.Perry didn't fully enter the public spotlight, however, until he cropped up in mid-2005 with the oddball A-lister Diary of a Mad Black Woman, self-adapted from his own hit play. This story of an African-American woman Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise) struggling to rebound after a painful separation, whose life is invaded (in more ways than one) by the obnoxious, loudmouthed, chainsaw-wielding (!) Madea, Diary -- a bizarre combination of domestic melodrama, violent, racially-oriented farce, and Christian proselytizing -- understandably left many critics running for the exit, but, of course, ticket buyers prevailed. The film scored with its intended African-American audience and grossed a healthy 50 million dollars (it ranked as number one at the box office during February 2005), leading to an early 2006 sequel, Madea's Family Reunion, this one written and directed by Perry.
Either because Perry's talent had matured within a year or because the press had grown accustomed to the playwright-cum-filmmaker's defiantly unconventional style, critics were slightly kinder about the sophomore Madea outing, which benefits from finely-felt supporting turns by the legendary Cicely Tyson and Maya Angelou. Like its predecessor, Reunion struck box office gold, and even topped Diary's net, reeling in an estimated 63.3 million dollars in international grosses. Perry then scrapped the Madea character for a tertiary cinematic outing, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls. This romantic dramedy concerns Monty (Idris Elba), a financially strapped African-American mechanic who loses custody of his children to his drug-pushing ex-wife, and then falls in love with the beautiful attorney (Gabrielle Union) whom he hires to get the children back. Currently single, Perry lives on a sprawling ranch outside of Atlanta. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A hard-living nightclub singer discovers the importance of family with the help of a handsome Mexican immigrant in this inspirational comedy drama from writer/director Tyler Perry. When pistol-packing granny Madea (Perry) awakens to the sound of her home being ransacked by wayward teen Jennifer (Hope Olaide Wilson) and her two younger brothers, she promptly marches the troubled kids over their aunt April's house. But despite being the only relative the kids can turn to, April (Taraji P. Henson) is hardly a role model; a self-destructive songbird with a serious drinking problem, she spends her nights at the club and relies on her married boyfriend, Raymond, to pay the bills. Suddenly, into April's life wanders Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), a hard-luck immigrant in search of some honest work. Before long, Sandino has moved into April's basement room, and formed a solid connection with the kids. The closer April and Sandino grow, the more April begins to recognize the importance of faith and family. When the time comes to say goodbye to her old ways and start a new life, the wounded chanteuse realizes that she may have finally found the true love that's always eluded her. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, (more)
- 2009
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail to top of Queue
Tyler Perry transitions another one of his hit plays to the big screen with this adaptation of Madea Goes to Jail. The successful filmmaker stars once again as the mischief-prone older woman whose exploits this time lead her to jail, where she befriends and reforms a prostitute named Candy (The Cosby Show's Keshia Knight Pulliam). ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, (more)
Mission: Impossible III director and Alias creator J.J. Abrams resurrects the classic science fiction franchise created by Gene Roddenberry with this feature film that embraces the rich history of the influential television and film series while also exploring some uncharted territory. Heroes star Zachary Quinto assumes the role of the Federation Starfleet lieutenant and Vulcan made famous in the original series by Leonard Nimoy (who also appears in an older incarnation of his original role), Spock, with Anton Yelchin stepping into the role of USS Enterprise navigator Pavel Chekov, Zoe Saldana assuming the role of communications officer Uhura, Simon Pegg keeping the ship in top shape as chief engineer Montgomery Scott (aka "Scotty"), and Eric Bana tormenting the benevolent space explorers as the villainous Nero. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle co-star John Cho also boards the Enterprise as Hikaru Sulu, with Chris Pine and Karl Urban assuming the legendary roles of Captain Kirk and Leonard "Bones" McCoy, respectively. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, (more)
- 2008
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns to top of Queue
Prolific playwright Tyler Perry adapts his popular stage play of the same name in this family-oriented comedy concerning a desperate mother who connects with the family she never knew. Brenda is a single Chicago mother of three who has been struggling for years to keep her kids off of the streets. Suddenly let go from her job with no warning to speak of, the eternally optimistic mother begins to experience a suffocating sense of hopelessness for the very first time in her life. When Brenda receives a death notice claiming that the father she has never met has passed away, she quickly gathers up the kids and sets out for Georgia to attend the funeral. Upon arriving in the Deep South, the once fretful mother is pleasantly surprised to discover that there is a whole side of the family she never knew existed. A crass but good-natured clan that welcomes Brenda and her children with open arms, the Browns' lazy summer afternoons and frequent trips to the county fair offer a much-needed contrast to the stress of surviving in inner city Chicago. Writer/director/actor Perry reprises his role as indomitable, law-breaking grandmother Madea in a comedy that proves sometimes second chances come when you least expect it. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Angela Bassett, Rick Fox, (more)
Stage and screen multi-hyphenate Tyler Perry returns to the helm for this lively tale of emergency room bedlam that finds a group of doctors, nurses, and patients desperately struggling to keep their secrets in the dark. Unfortunately for this crew, these things always find a way of coming to light. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Mann, Christian Keyes, (more)
Monster's Ball producer Lee Daniels follows up his 2005 directorial debut, Shadowboxer, with this adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel about an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. Clareece "Precious" Jones is only a teenager, yet she's about to give birth to her second child. Unable to read or write, Clareece shows little prospect for the future until discovering that she has been accepted into an alternative school. There, with a little help from a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) and a kindly nurse (Lenny Kravitiz), the young girl receives something that most teens never get -- a chance to start over. Mo'nique co-stars in an inspirational drama featuring the debut performance of screen newcomer Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabourey Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz, (more)
Acclaimed urban playwright Tyler Perry explores the hardships of marriage and the benefits of working through our daily problems in this stage drama about the stressful union between a hard-working accountant and his loving wife, a harried marriage counselor. Roger Jackson works hard to support his family, a group that includes not only his ivy-league educated wife Judith, but his ganja-smoking father Stanley and her bible-thumping mother TT as well. Meanwhile, Judith doles out thoughtful advice to troubled couples every day, yet remains completely powerless when it comes to addressing the issues of her own troubled marriage. When an old college friend drops by her office, Judith faces her biggest personal challenge to date. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tamar Davis, Tony Grant, (more)
- 2008
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys to top of Queue
Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates star in writer/director Tyler Perry's family drama about an upper-crust family and their working-class counterparts, who discover that scandal knows no social boundaries. Charlotte Cartwright (Bates) and Alice Pratt (Woodard) may be from different sides of the tracks, yet over the years they've managed to nurture a strong and healthy friendship. That friendship is put to the ultimate test, however, when their adult children begin to act out in ways that neither parent ever saw coming. Alice's daughter Andrea (Sanaa Lathan) is married to a trusting husband named Chris (Rockmond Dunbar), but lately she's been betraying that trust by sleeping with her boss, William (Cole Hauser), who just so happens to be Charlotte's son. William is married to Jillian (KaDee Strickland), and in addition to being unfaithful, he's also scheming to take over the role of COO at his mother's lucrative construction firm. Meanwhile, Alice's other daughter, Pam (Taraji P. Henson), and her husband, Ben (Perry), a faithful family man and construction worker, have both recognized that their family has strayed from the course of righteousness, and become determined to help their loved ones back on the right path. When paternity secrets, shady double dealings, and a series of other scandals become too much for Charlotte and Alice to take, the two women set out on a cross-country trip in order to clear their heads and devise a plan for saving their families. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, (more)
- 2007
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? to top of Queue
A couple (Tyler Perry and Janet Jackson) that goes on a therapeutic annual winter vacation designed to help couples work through their marital problems in a group setting finds the usual routine thrown into chaos when one of the wives arrives with a sexy young temptress in tow. Now, as the Colorado snow falls gently outside of their window, one couple will experience a bout with infidelity that will cause the entire group to question the validity of their own respective marriages. Diary of a Mad Black Woman mastermind Tyler Perry writes, produces, directs, and stars in this comedy drama that explores the complexities of modern marriage. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, (more)
- 2007
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls to top of Queue
Diary of a Mad Black Woman mastermind Tyler Perry turns the familiar Cinderella tale on its head with this story concerning a successful female attorney who falls in love with a financially strapped mechanic. Monty (Idris Elba) is struggling mechanic and single father of three from a poor neighborhood. Upon learning that custody of his beloved daughters has been awarded to his morally bankrupt, drug-dealing ex-wife Jennifer (Tasha Smith), desperate Monty enlists the aid of beautiful Ivy league-educated lawyer Julia (Gabrielle Union) -- whom he recently met during his brief stint as a chauffeur -- in ensuring that his daughters remain with him in a stable and loving environment. Despite the vast social and economical differences that divide them, Monty and Julia soon begin to find themselves unexpectedly falling in love with one another as they work together to save Monty's daughters from a life of crime and corruption. Now, in order to reconcile their blossoming romance and overcome the forces that threaten to destroy the only thing that Monty holds dear, the concerned father and powerful lawyer will have to bridge the gap that divides them by coming together to prove that true love really does have the power to prevail. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, (more)
The outspoken Southern matriarch of Tyler Perry's wildly popular stage show finally lands in the one place where talking won't do her any more good in this release of a performance originally captured on camera before a live audience. Madea (Perry) has a reputation for being able to talk herself out of any tight situation, but when the police arrive determined to haul her away to the pokey, she quickly discovers that sometimes it pays to resist temptation and simply keep your mouth shut. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry
- 2006
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion to top of Queue
Actor and playwright Tyler Perry returns as Madea, a brash but loving African-American grandmother with her own way of doing things in this screen adaptation of his popular stage comedy drama. Madea has her work cut out for her when she finds herself dealing with a handful of family crises the same weekend that she's planned a massive family reunion. Her niece Lisa (Rochelle Aytes) is engaged to marry a handsome and successful man (Blair Underwood), but the good news is blunted when she reveals to her friends that he beats her. Another niece, Vanessa (Lisa Anderson), has been having romantic problems of her own, and isn't sure she should take another chance on love with a humble but good-hearted bus driver (Boris Kodjoe). Madea's older sister dies, with the funeral landing the same weekend as Lisa's wedding. And on top of all this, a court order forces Madea to look after Nikki (Keke Palmer), a troubled and angry teenager from a broken home. Madea's Family Reunion also stars Lynn Whitfield, Jennifer Lewis, Cicely Tyson, and Maya Angelou. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, (more)
Laugh along with Tyler Perry as the award-winning playwright examines the love, joy, faith, and trials of marriage in a hilarious and touching examination of the powerful bond shared between husband and wife. A marriage has been threatened by the advancements of a sexy and alluring young temptress, but just when it seems as if the familial bond may have finally withered so much that it can't withstand a little external pressure, the once close-knit family pulls together once again to re-examine their relationships and explore just what it means to devote your life to the one you love most. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry, Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley, (more)
- 2005
- PG13
- Add Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman to QueueAdd Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman to top of Queue
A woman has to learn how to love and trust men all over again in this comedy drama. Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise) would seem to have it all -- she's been married for 18 years to Charles (Steve Harris), and over the course of their time together, he's become one of Atlanta's most successful attorneys. But despite wealth and prestige, things are not as they should be at the McCarter home, and on their anniversary, Charles drops a bombshell on Helen -- he's divorcing her for another woman. Escorted out of the house with nowhere to go, Helen moves in with her grandmother Madea (Tyler Perry), a sassy woman with no shortage of opinions and a gun that she's not afraid to use. As Madea helps Helen get back on her feet emotionally, the divorcée makes the acquaintance of Orlando (Shemar Moore), a handsome man who is obviously attracted to her. But after her experiences with Charles, Helen isn't sure if she's ready to trust a man again. Diary of a Mad Black Woman was adapted from the popular stage play by Tyler Perry, who also plays several roles in the film, most prominently Madea; it marked the first feature-film credit for successful music video director Darren R. Grant. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, (more)
When Pop Brown went to meet his maker at the ripe old age of 107, the 400 dollars he left to his grieving family wasn't even enough to cover the cost of his modest funeral. For the past eleven years, eldest son L.B. and his wife Sarah were the only ones who cared for Pop, but when the funeral funds run short, L.B. and Sarah's daughter, Mi-Lay, quickly arrives on the scene to cover the remainder of the bill. As the rest of the Brown family arrives to bid Pop his final farewell, the best and the worst of the family unit brings joys of laughter and tears to the grieving family. Penned by Diary of a Mad Black Woman scribe Tyler Perry, Meet the Browns contains all of the unique and sometimes touching insight that has made Perry a popular figure of stage and screen. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Mann, Tamela Mann, (more)
The race is on for everyone's favorite ganja smoking, gun toting granny to attend her 50th class reunion, and the only thing standing in her way is the law as Tyler Perry's hit stage play makes its way from the stage to your living room in this release that's sure to tickle your funny bone. A class reunion can be a breathtaking experience, and when Madea, Brown, and Dr. Willie Leroy arrive at the elegant Pandora Motel, you can rest assured that the laughs that follow will leave you gasping for air. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry
From playwright Tyler Perry, the man who brought audiences Madea's Class Reunion and the number one box-office hit Diary of a Mad Black Woman, comes this touchingly comic tale about family, friendship, and the cycle of life. Madea, everyone's favorite pistol-packin' granny is back, and this time the whole family is coming together for a whirlwind weekend that no one is likely to forget. As the family prepares to descend upon Madea's home for a long-awaited family reunion, the lively matriarch is splitting her time between preparing for the arrival of her guests as well as her daughter's wedding -- set to take place the same weekend. Upon learning that her sister has died, Madea seeks to make the best of the situation and save a few dollars by adding a funeral to the already-overloaded weekend itinerary. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry
Experience the origins of playwright/actor Tyler Perry's number-one box-office smash in this filmed performance of the original stage hit. Featuring none other than Perry himself in the dual roles of Daddy Charles and Madea, this comic tale of love lost and life reclaimed is sure to warm the soul as it tickles your funny bone. When successful attorney Charles McCarter files for divorce from his wife, Helen, after a lengthy marriage so that he can marry another woman, Helen's hopes of continuing to live the American dream are shattered. Though the devastation of her failed marriage leaves Helen doubtful about her future, a little help from reefer-loving, gun-toting granny Madea (Perry) goes a long way in raising her spirits and showing her that she has yet to enjoy the best years of her life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry
I Can Do Bad All by Myself was the first play by Tyler Perry to feature his soon-to-be-famous comedic creation Madea. The storyline concerns how Madea keeps her family from being torn apart when sisters begin acting selfishly. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tyler Perry
