Ali (2001): cast, story & where to watch
2001 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 2001, Ali is a drama film directed by Michael Mann, running about 157 minutes. “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.
Who’s in it. Ali stars Will Smith as Muhammad Ali / Cassius Clay, Jamie Foxx as Drew 'Bundini' Brown, Jon Voight as Howard Cosell and Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Ali has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $87.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Netflix, Paramount Plus Essential and YouTube TV and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Ali page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ali tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ali (2001)?
- In US, Ali is available to stream on Netflix, Paramount Plus Essential and YouTube TV, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Ali worth watching?
- Ali holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Ali?
- Ali stars Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles and Ron Silver.
- When was Ali released?
- Ali was released in 2001, with a runtime of about 157 minutes.