Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) movie poster

The Bonfire of the Vanities is a 1990 comedy drama directed by Brian De Palma, starring Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis. It is based on The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe and Taffy Brodesser-Akner. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $15.7 million worldwide on a $47 million budget. Critics gave it 27 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$15.7M
Metascore
27
budget
$47M
Loading streaming availability…
The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 5m (125 min)
Director
Brian De Palma
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$47M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Bonfire of the Vanities About?

The premise of The Bonfire of the Vanities without spoilers, adapted from The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe and Taffy Brodesser-Akner. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A Wall Street executive’s life spirals out of control after a reckless incident in the Bronx with his mistress. A hit-and-run investigation triggers a media frenzy, exposing the uncomfortable truths about wealth, power, and social class. As the case becomes a sensationalized spectacle, Sherman McCoy’s reputation and the lives of those around him are put at risk, forcing a reckoning with the complexities of justice and morality.

The Bonfire of the Vanities Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • ethnic slur
  • gay slur
  • race relations
  • prejudice
  • voice over narration
  • lie
  • racial slur
  • based on novel
  • phone booth
  • tire
  • reverend
  • church
+38 more
  • reference to don juan
  • reference to don juan the opera
  • jail
  • intercom
  • coffin
  • profanity
  • electronic music score
  • teacher
  • extramarital affair
  • told in flashback
  • nonlinear timeline
  • rainstorm
  • lightning
  • mistaken identity
  • dutch angle
  • social satire
  • shotgun
  • scene during opening credits
  • mother son relationship
  • rockefeller center manhattan new york city
  • adultery
  • brooklyn bridge
  • hoodlum
  • attempted robbery
  • fraud
  • promiscuity
  • racism
  • casual racism
  • african american
  • angry mob
  • hospital
  • deception
  • betrayal
  • trial
  • tape recorder
  • law
  • justice
  • city hall
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Bonfire of the Vanities Cast

Morgan Freeman leads the cast, with Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis. Directed by Brian De Palma; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Brian De Palma

More films directed by Brian De Palma, best-rated first: Blow Out, Carrie, The Untouchables and Carlito's Way.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Bonfire of the Vanities Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Bonfire of the Vanities 27 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Bonfire of the Vanities Plot Summary

What happens in The Bonfire of the Vanities from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a society where wealth and privilege dominate, Sherman McCoy, a successful Wall Street bond trader, epitomizes opulence and indulgence. He lives a life filled with luxuries and the enticing company of Maria Ruskin, a captivating yet cunning Southern belle. Their relationship thrives on transient pleasures and mutual exploitation, but it takes a dark turn when a wrong turn on the expressway lands them in the dangerous South Bronx, a stark contrast to their affluent world.

Full summary

The whole story of The Bonfire of the Vanities, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Bonfire of the Vanities Box Office & Budget

The Bonfire of the Vanities grossed $15.7 million worldwide on a $47 million budget, 33% of what it cost.

1990 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.7M

33% of its budget back

US & Canada
$15.7M
Budget
$47M
Videos

The Bonfire of the Vanities Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Teaser The Bonfire Of The Vanities 1990 TV trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Bonfire of the Vanities?

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

Who is the main character in 'The Bonfire of the Vanities'?

Cars

Cars in The Bonfire of the Vanities

51 cars on screen, including the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL W126 and the 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine.

All 51 cars
  • 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL W126 in The Bonfire of the Vanities 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL W126 Main role
  • 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine in The Bonfire of the Vanities 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine Minor role
  • 1987 Chevrolet Caprice in The Bonfire of the Vanities 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C3 in The Bonfire of the Vanities 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C3 Minor role
Details

The Bonfire of the Vanities Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “夜都迷情” and “Fegefeuer der Eitelkeiten”.

Also known as
  • 夜都迷情
  • Fegefeuer der Eitelkeiten
  • Il falò delle vanità
  • Le Bûcher des vanités
  • La hoguera de las vanidades
  • Hiúságok máglyája
  • Костер тщеславий
  • Ohňostroj marnosti
  • 虚荣的篝火
  • A Fogueira das Vaidades
  • מדורת ההבלים
  • Fajerwerki Próżności
+14 more
  • Şenlik Ateşi
  • 허영의 불꽃
  • Fåfängans fyrverkeri
  • Кладата на суетата
  • Η Απατηλή Λάμψη της Ματαιοδοξίας
  • Багаття марнославства
  • Forfengelighetens fyrverkeri
  • 走夜路的男人
  • آتش آتشی ها
  • Forfængelighedens bål
  • La foguera de les vanitats
  • Turhuuksien rovio
  • เชือดกิเลส
  • 虚栄のかがり火

Seen The Bonfire of the Vanities?

FAQ

The Bonfire of the Vanities FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Bonfire of the Vanities, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Bonfire of the Vanities?

The Bonfire of the Vanities runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).

When was The Bonfire of the Vanities released?

The Bonfire of the Vanities was released on December 21, 1990.

Who directed The Bonfire of the Vanities?

The Bonfire of the Vanities was directed by Brian De Palma.

More films by Brian De Palma

Who is in the cast of The Bonfire of the Vanities?

The Bonfire of the Vanities stars Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Bonfire of the Vanities make at the box office?

The Bonfire of the Vanities grossed $15.7 million worldwide on a budget of $47 million.

How is The Bonfire of the Vanities rated?

The Bonfire of the Vanities has 27 on Metacritic.

Is The Bonfire of the Vanities based on a book?

Yes. The Bonfire of the Vanities is adapted from The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe and Taffy Brodesser-Akner.

Does The Bonfire of the Vanities have a post-credit scene?

No. The Bonfire of the Vanities has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app