Major Payne

Play trailer

Major Payne

PG-13

1995

1h 37m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Maj. Benson Payne lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/07/2022

1/4

The problem with this movie isn’t ambivalence, because nothing has been sufficiently established, either morally or psychologically...

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

3/4

Although the plot of the movie is a familiar formula, the dialogue and performance are not; it's a smart, funny job of poking fun at all those movies where sadistic drill instructors terrorized their green recruits.

Go to Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

03/02/2022

1.5/4

The movies have yet to utilize the writing and performing talents that were evident from Damon Wayans on In Living Color.

Go to Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

10/13/2015

3/5

Silly slapstick movie has some violence, salty language.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

09/15/2005

2/5

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

02/18/2005

1/5

Read all reviews

Jeff H.

@RT22857732 Apr 4

This is an awesome, semi- older family movie....Funny, enjoyable and a must see!

See more

Daniel S.

@RT44592553 Mar 17

This is my favorite comedy of all time. It has a good and easy to follow story and lovable characters. It is one of the most quotable movies ever. It was never going to win an Oscar but it has one hilarious scene after another. Watch it and laugh!

See more

Jessi M

@XennialGoingRogue Mar 9

Major Payne is a great example of what made 90s comedies so great! It never took itself too seriously. However, it still put heart into the story. I was flabbergasted to see a score of 29% from critics. But in 2026 I should not be surprised. The scene where Major Payne 1st lines them up and begins addressing each one, brings literal tears from laughter! Does it hold up 30 years later? Well, I showed my Gen Z & Gen Alpha kids and they loved it! Laughed hysterically!

See more

Rich T.

@UniversalEye Mar 8

Cult Classic, Great writing and Acting

See more

Joel C

@Joelcas1613 Dec 28

Genuinly a goated movie. My family's favorite comedy. Great film, 5 stars. God bless.

See more

Anonymous P

@RT12153706 Dec 12

A dismal attempt at humor. Basically, this film is Hollywood’s drive to cash in on the success of ‘In Living Color’ cast. The humor is sophomoric and embarrassingly not funny. Hollywood may have made a dime on this film however, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Nick Castle

Director

Damon Wayans

Maj. Benson Payne

Karyn Parsons

Emily Walburn

Michael Ironside

Lt. Col. Stone

William Hickey

Dr. Phillips

Albert Hall

Gen. Decker

Major Payne: Official Clip - Meeting the Cadets

3:06

Major Payne: Official Clip - Grenade Training

3:15

Major Payne: Official Clip - Hip-Hop March

2:55

Major Payne: Official Clip - Payne's Dream

2:02

Major Payne: Official Clip - Biker Fight

2:21

Major Payne: Official Clip - Training the Turds

3:20

Major Payne: Official Clip - Cut a Little Rug

2:16

Major Payne: Official Clip - Dress Up Prank

2:27

Major Payne: Official Clip - The Little Engine That Could

3:15

Major Payne: Official Clip - Shooting the Boogie Man

3:27

View more videos

Mr. Baseball

12%

41%

Mr. Baseball

Watchlist

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

80%

88%

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Watchlist

K-9

36%

45%

K-9

Watchlist

For Richer or Poorer

17%

46%

For Richer or Poorer

Watchlist

EDtv

64%

30%

EDtv

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Maj. Benson Payne lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

Director: Nick Castle
Producer: Eric L. Gold, Michael I. Rachmil
Screenwriter: Dean Lorey, Damon Wayans, Gary Rosen
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now