Original Gangstas (1996): cast, story & where to watch
1996 · Film · ★ 5.7
Released in 1996, Original Gangstas is an action, thriller, drama and crime film directed by Larry Cohen, running about 99 minutes. “The original bad boys are stepping up in '96!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A violent street gang, the Rebels, rule the streets of Gary, Indiana. The Rebels shoot Marvin Bookman, a store-keeper, for giving the police information about a drive-by shooting they committed. Marvin's son, former NFL star John who created the Rebels, returns to Gary to be with his father and, with a little help from his friends, to destroy the Rebels his way.
Who’s in it. Original Gangstas stars Fred Williamson as John Bookman, Pam Grier as Laurie Thompson, Jim Brown as Jake Trevor and Paul Winfield as Reverend Dorsey, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, Original Gangstas has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $3M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, ScreenPix Apple TV Channel and Amazon Prime Video with Ads and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Original Gangstas page.
If you liked it. Fans of Original Gangstas tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Original Gangstas (1996)?
- In US, Original Gangstas is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV and ScreenPix Apple TV Channel, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Original Gangstas worth watching?
- Original Gangstas holds an audience score of 5.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, thriller, drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Original Gangstas?
- Original Gangstas stars Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, Jim Brown, Paul Winfield and Isabel Sanford.
- When was Original Gangstas released?
- Original Gangstas was released in 1996, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.