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Biographical drama

King Richard (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

King Richard (2021) movie poster

King Richard is a 2021 biographical drama directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney. It runs 2 hours 24 minutes and earned $39.5 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Actor in a Leading Role, and 5 awards in all. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$39.5M
Oscar won
1
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
King Richard (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 24m (144 min)
Director
Reinaldo Marcus Green
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
Studio
Warner Bros. Pictures
Budget
$50M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is King Richard About?

The premise of King Richard without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

This biographical drama tells the story of Richard Williams, a determined father who develops a rigorous training plan for his daughters, Venus and Serena, with the goal of transforming them into world-class tennis players. Set against the backdrop of Compton, California, the film follows their journey from humble beginnings to achieving international tennis stardom. Richard’s unconventional methods and unwavering belief in his daughters’ potential lead to a remarkable transformation, as they break barriers and redefine success in the world of sports.

King Richard Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • tennis player
  • compton
  • serena williams character
  • venus williams character
  • father
  • based on real people
  • tennis coach
  • tennis
  • family relationships
  • mother
  • child
  • love
+38 more
  • journey
  • life
  • coach
  • popularity
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • rivalry
  • champions
  • family fight
  • child sponsorship
  • reebok
  • nike
  • wimbledon
  • father daughter relationship
  • reference to martina navratilova
  • prayer before meal
  • n word
  • john mcenroe character
  • jennifer capriati character
  • reference to steffi graf
  • nancy reagan character
  • reference to jimmy connors
  • country club
  • reference to michael jordan
  • west palm beach florida
  • reference to monica seles
  • tennis match
  • two word title
  • male name in title
  • docudrama drama
  • tennis sport
  • racket sport
  • 8 year old girl
  • 9 year old girl
  • 12 year old girl
  • 13 year old girl
  • 16 year old girl
  • 18 year old boy
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Cast & crew

King Richard Cast & Characters

Will Smith leads the cast as Richard Williams, with Demi Singleton as Serena Williams and Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green; 28 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in King Richard

· 24 more
Show all 28 cast members
From the director

More from Reinaldo Marcus Green

More films directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, best-rated first: Monsters and Men, Bob Marley: One Love, Joe Bell and Stop.

Full filmography
Ratings

King Richard Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave King Richard 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

King Richard Echo Score Breakdown

King Richard delivers a solid biographical sports drama that leans on strong performances and an uplifting tone. Critics note the film’s competent direction and inspiring soundtrack, while some point to a familiar narrative and a script that lacks depth. Audience reactions echo this mix, praising Will Smith’s portrayal and the film’s emotional resonance, yet expressing disappointment with pacing and story novelty. Overall, the movie offers a commendable, if conventional, viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    Direction and visual execution are generally competent, with Green’s robust style establishing clear framing and pacing. Editing receives specific commendation for its smooth continuity, and the cinematography supports the biopic’s period setting. However, moments of hyper‑competence are described as overly cautious, occasionally muting the film’s ambition. Consequently, the art and craft elements are solid but not particularly inventive.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Will Smith’s portrayal of Richard Williams stands out as nuanced and compelling, anchoring the ensemble with considerable depth. Supporting performances, particularly by Saniyya Sidney, receive positive notice, while some secondary roles are seen as less effective. The emotional resonance stems largely from the central father‑daughter dynamics, though occasional tonal inconsistency weakens overall character cohesion. Overall, character work is a strong asset of the film.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative follows a familiar biopic formula, emphasizing perseverance and triumph, which many reviewers find inspiring yet predictable. Critics highlight a script that at times feels soft‑lobbed and lacking in dramatic stakes, reducing engagement. Audience comments similarly note that while the story is emotionally uplifting, its pacing and originality are limited. Consequently, the storytelling is adequate but falls short of distinctiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The film’s soundtrack, featuring a notable Beyoncé track, receives consistent praise for enhancing emotional beats. Sound design and musical cues complement the tennis sequences, creating an immersive atmosphere. Visual style is serviceable, with period‑appropriate production design supporting the setting, though it is not highlighted as a standout element. Overall, sensory components effectively reinforce the film’s uplifting tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The film’s inspirational tone and strong lead performance give it solid replay value, especially for viewers drawn to sports biopics. Critics describe it as crowd‑pleasing and uplifting, while many audience members recommend it for its emotional resonance. Some note that the familiar narrative limits long‑term novelty, yet the overall experience remains engaging enough to merit multiple viewings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is high.

Plot

King Richard Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in King Richard from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Richard Williams, portrayed by Will Smith, resides in Compton, California, alongside his wife, Aunjanue Ellis, and their blended family, which includes three stepdaughters—Tunde Price, played by Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew, Isha Price, portrayed by Danielle Lawson, and Lyndrea Price, played by Layla Crawford—as well as his two daughters, the talented tennis prodigies, Venus, portrayed by Saniyya Sidney, and Serena, played by Demi Singleton. Richard is determined to mold Venus and Serena into professional tennis players, meticulously crafting a plan for their success even before their births. Together with Brandy, he coaches the girls every day while balancing his job as a security guard and her role as a nurse.

Full summary

The whole story of King Richard, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

King Richard Box Office & Budget

King Richard grossed $39.5 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, 79% of what it cost. $15.1 million came from the US and Canada and $24.4 million (62%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$39.5M

79% of its budget back

US & Canada
$15.1M
International
$24.4M
Budget
$50M
US & Canada 38% Rest of the world 62%
Awards

King Richard Awards & Nominations

King Richard won 1 Oscar, including Actor in a Leading Role, and 5 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2022, with 1 win from 6 nominations.

5 wins22 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

King Richard Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official "Be Alive" Trailer
  • Featurette Will Smith Wins Leading Actor | EE BAFTA Film Awards 2022
  • Featurette Will Smith Wins Best Actor for 'King Richard' | 94th Oscars
Quiz

How Well Do You Know King Richard?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Richard Williams' primary aspiration for his daughters?
Cars

Cars in King Richard

49 cars on screen, including the 1977 Volkswagen Station Wagon T2 Typ 2 and the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

All 49 cars
  • 1977 Volkswagen Station Wagon T2 Typ 2 in King Richard 1977 Volkswagen Station Wagon T2 Typ 2 Main role
  • 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in King Richard 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Important role
  • 1987 Chevrolet Caprice in King Richard 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1987 Chevrolet Caprice in King Richard 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
Details

King Richard Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “킹 리처드” and “王者理查德”.

Also known as
  • 킹 리처드
  • 王者理查德
  • La méthode Williams
  • El método Williams
  • המלך ריצ'רד
  • Král Richard: Zrození šampiónek
  • Методът Уилямс
  • Король Ричард
  • 킹 리차드
  • Король Річард: Виховуючи чемпіонок
  • Una famiglia vincente - King Richard
  • King Richard: Williamsien tarina
+23 more
  • King Richard: Criando Campeãs
  • Η Μέθοδος των Γουίλιαμς
  • Kralj Richard
  • King Richard : Au-delà du jeu
  • Rey Richard: Una Familia Ganadora
  • משפחה מנצחת
  • Kral Richard: Yükselen Şampiyonlar
  • Richard Király
  • 王者世家
  • King Richard - Traum
  • Satz und Sieg
  • 国王理查德
  • King Richard: Zwycięska rodzina
  • ドリームプラン
  • 王者理查
  • Краљ Ричард
  • คิง ริชาร์ด
  • Karalius Ričardas
  • Người Cha Vĩ Đại
  • Regele Richard: Crescând campioni
  • Uzvarētāju ģimene
  • King Richard: Para Além do Jogo
  • شاه ریچارد, მეფე რიჩარდი

Seen King Richard?
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Movies Like King Richard

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Venus and Serena, Battle of the Sexes and Winning.

FAQ

King Richard FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of King Richard, each answered in a sentence.

How long is King Richard?

King Richard runs 2 hours 24 minutes (144 minutes).

When was King Richard released?

King Richard was released on November 19, 2021.

Who directed King Richard?

King Richard was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

More films by Reinaldo Marcus Green

Who is in the cast of King Richard?

King Richard stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, Demi Singleton as Serena Williams and Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams, among 28 credited actors.

How much did King Richard make at the box office?

King Richard grossed $39.5 million worldwide ($15.1 million domestic, $24.4 million international) on a budget of $50 million.

How is King Richard rated?

King Richard has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

What awards did King Richard win?

King Richard won 5 awards from 22 nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2022.

Does King Richard have a post-credit scene?

No. King Richard has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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