The People vs. Larry Flynt

Play trailer

The People vs. Larry Flynt

R

1996

2h 10m

Drama

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Pursued by opponents who say his "Hustler" magazine breaks decency laws, pornographer Larry Flynt hires lawyer Alan Isaacman to help fight his legal battles. A zealot shoots the men near a Georgia courthouse, and though Flynt discovers he'll never walk again, his fighting spirit -- like his love for stripper Althea Leasure -- stays strong. Ultimately, the unlikely free speech warrior takes his biggest case to a showdown at the Supreme Court.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The People Vs. Larry Flynt pays entertaining tribute to an irascible iconoclast with a well-constructed biopic that openly acknowledges his troublesome flaws.

Read Critics Reviews

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Oct 18, 2008

It's been a long, dumb spell, but The People vs. Larry Flynt makes it OK to take your brain to the movies again.

Go to Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Jun 30, 2008

A

An exultant comedy of American repression and revolt.

Go to Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Jun 30, 2008

A brave, spectacularly entertaining -- and unexpectedly stirring -- account of Flynt's life that asks us to regard the publisher of Hustler magazine as an invaluable champion of our First Amendment freedoms.

Go to Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Aug 25, 2026

4.5/5

A suitably unsubtle movie about a liberty no one is ever subtle about targeting.

Go to Full Review

Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Aug 3, 2026

3.5/5

The People vs. Larry Flynt may not be a particularly in-depth biopic about the eccentric purveyor of lewd magazines, but it is an entertaining, amusing, and fast-paced one with an important message.

Go to Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Jul 28, 2026

A

Great films stand the test of time no matter how many misguided activists try to steer the public away from them. The (film's) dire message that we never take our freedoms for granted could not be timelier–nor can the systematic movement to suppress it.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad 6 days ago

The People Vs. Larry Flynt = a *4* star Movie!

See more

Junior S.

@RT39899143 Jun 26, 2026

Thoroughly entertaining on multiple levels, as biopic, as love story, as tragedy, and as meditation on fundamental, and constitutional, freedom. Courtney Love should have at least been nominated for Best Supporting Actress, she is exceptional in her role, and Woody Harrelson proves he is the best talent to come out the Cheers stable. Wonderful work from veteran Milos Forman.

See more

shane O

@Shanes_DVD_Shack Apr 24, 2026

Even thought the characters are pretty reprehensible , it’s still a very well done movie. The acting is very good even Courtney love manages to put in a good performance. I would recommend it

See more

Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Feb 5, 2026

As a biopic this movie is great, but as far as rewatch ability this movie has very little value to me.......I don't consider the man who made Hustler magazine life story anything interesting just expect a lot of sex, drugs, and depression.

See more

Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 9, 2025

It was really good, and funny as well. I'm glad I watched it.

See more

Julie D

@RT40892224 Aug 27, 2025

Long after you've grown tired of his escapades, the scenes in which he and Althea support one another against the slings an arrows of outrageous fortune are touching and, ultimately, genuinely tragic.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Milos Forman

Director

Woody Harrelson

Larry Flynt

Courtney Love

Althea Leasure

Edward Norton

Alan Isaacman

James Cromwell

Charles Keating

Crispin Glover

Arlo

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - The Supreme Court

2:13

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - We Won, Baby

2:10

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - Meet Calamity Jane

1:39

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - God Created Woman

1:50

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - A Dream Client

2:11

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - The Price of Freedom

2:12

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - The Pervert is Back!

2:12

Now Playing

The People vs. Larry Flynt: Official Clip - Jackie O Nude

2:04

Now Playing

View more videos

Rob Roy

73%

75%

Rob Roy

Watchlist

Auto Focus

71%

62%

Auto Focus

Watchlist

Men of Honor

42%

81%

Men of Honor

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Men of Honor

Party Monster

29%

75%

Party Monster

Watchlist

The General

83%

81%

The General

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Woody Harrelson’s 10 Best Movies

Total Recall: RT Celebrates the Bill of Rights

Total Recall: In Honor of AVP:R, Memorable Cinematic Title Fights

View more photos

Synopsis

Pursued by opponents who say his "Hustler" magazine breaks decency laws, pornographer Larry Flynt hires lawyer Alan Isaacman to help fight his legal battles. A zealot shoots the men near a Georgia courthouse, and though Flynt discovers he'll never walk again, his fighting spirit -- like his love for stripper Althea Leasure -- stays strong. Ultimately, the unlikely free speech warrior takes his biggest case to a showdown at the Supreme Court.

Director: Milos Forman
Producer: Michael Hausman, Oliver Stone, Janet Yang
Screenwriter: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Phoenix Pictures, Illusion Entertainment, Ixtlan Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.2M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings