When We Were Kings
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.
Ratings
Based on audience scoresWhere to stream When We Were Kings
Streaming now in the United States on HBO Max, Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, and Shout! Factory TV.
Rent or buy in the United States on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Trailer
WHEN WE WERE KINGS TRAILER 1996
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Frequently asked questions about When We Were Kings
Where can I watch When We Were Kings in the United States?
When We Were Kings is available to stream on HBO Max, Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, and Shout! Factory TV in the United States, and to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.
Is When We Were Kings on HBO Max?
Yes. When We Were Kings is streaming on HBO Max in the United States, alongside Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, and Shout! Factory TV.
Can I watch When We Were Kings for free?
When We Were Kings streams free with ads in the United States on The Roku Channel and Shout! Factory TV. A subscription is not required, though the service may ask you to register.
What are the ratings for When We Were Kings?
When We Were Kings scores 7.6 on The Movie Database, 7.9 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 81 on Metacritic.
Who stars in When We Were Kings?
When We Were Kings stars Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, and B.B. King. Leon Gast is the director.
How long is When We Were Kings?
When We Were Kings runs 1h 29m (89 minutes).
When did When We Were Kings come out?
When We Were Kings was released on October 25, 1996.
Which studio made When We Were Kings?
When We Were Kings was produced by David Sonenberg Production and DAS Films in the United States and Congo - Kinshasa.
How much did When We Were Kings make at the box office?
When We Were Kings grossed $2,789,985 worldwide.
What languages is When We Were Kings in?
When We Were Kings is in English and French, and its original language is English.
Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming availability checked September 2026.