The Color Purple (2023 film)

This article is about the film adaptation of the stage musical. For the film adaptation of the novel, see The Color Purple (1985 film).

The Color Purple
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBlitz Bazawule
Screenplay byMarcus Gardley
Based on
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDan Laustsen
Edited byJon Poll
Music byKris Bowers
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • November 20, 2023 (2023-11-20) (London)
  • December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25) (United States)
Running time
141 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$90–100 million[3][4]
Box office$67.5 million[5][6]

The Color Purple is a 2023 American musical period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule. Marcus Gardley's screenplay is based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Spielberg and Quincy Jones. Spielberg and Jones return as producers for the 2023 film, along with its Broadway producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film.

The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino in her film debut. Brooks and Barrino reprise their roles from the productions of the stage musical. It tells the story of Celie, an African American woman dealing with the hardships of living with an abusive husband and living in the American South during the early 1900s.

The Color Purple premiered in London on November 20, 2023, and was released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Although it received positive reviews from critics, it performed poorly at the box office grossing $67.5 million against a budget of $90–100 million. Danielle Brooks was lauded for her performance, receiving nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, the film won a record-breaking eleven awards out of sixteen nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture and acting wins for Barrino, Henson, Domingo, and the ensemble cast.

  1. ^ Donnelly, Matt (November 14, 2023). "Warner Bros. Pictures Strikes New Co-Financing Deal With Domain Capital (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "The Color Purple (12A)". BBFC. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference opening was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (December 12, 2023). "Oprah and The Color Purple Stars on the New Musical Remake: "It's Bright. It's Vibrant. It's Us"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "The Color Purple (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Color Purple (2023) — Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved February 21, 2024.