Adam's Rib

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Adam's Rib

1949

1h 41m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A courtroom rivalry finds its way into the household when prosecuting lawyer Adam Bonner (Spencer Tracy) faces off against his wife, Amanda (Katharine Hepburn), who happens to be a defense attorney. Working on opposite sides of a lawsuit where a woman (Judy Holliday) has shot her cheating husband (Tom Ewell), Adam and Amanda are both determined to win the case, and their home becomes the setting for comical showdowns, with neither spouse willing to relent.

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Critics Consensus

Matched by Garson Kanin's witty, sophisticated screenplay, George Cukor, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn are all in top form in the classic comedy Adam's Rib.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Jul 25, 2019

Adam's Rib is one of the smartest comedies in years. It is a welcome return to the sophisticated spoofing that Hollywood seemed to have forgotten.

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Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

Jan 14, 2013

Katharine Hepburn conveys an extraordinary abundance of spirit.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Feb 3, 2009

Adam's Rib is a bright comedy success, belting over a succession of sophisticated laughs.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 3, 2020

4/10

It feels as if it's more about how a couple can playfully fight while facing off in a courtroom rather than whether or not women should be treated impartially.

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Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

May 23, 2008

George Cukor directs with a light touch and the film leaps from one priceless moment to the next

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Film4

Oct 16, 2007

An impeccably crafted and scripted classic.

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 Sep 19, 2026

It's our mistake if we feel unwilling to watch this excellent movie more than once. If such is the case, it is probably because the portrait of marriage is rather unromantic. On the one hand, infidelity and violence, and on the other, endless sparring and gamesmanship. With the US tearing itself apart over the Lindsay Clancy trial in 2026, I'd think both Adam's Rib and Twelve Angry Men would make an ideal double header. Maybe watch the second of those first, and have the rib for seconds.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

Adam's Rib = a *4.5* star Movie!

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E S

@Einstine Apr 26, 2026

The film says it"s a comedy, but I don't see it. The message is, because of a husband infidelity, a wife is justified in shooting him? What is funny about that? Sad to say but many of our modern problems are because people started to agree with this idea... that violence, if it is done in the name of any mistreatment, percived or real, is justified

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Farah R.

@Farah Mar 7, 2026

Tracy and Hepburn portray a modern working couple whose home life is depicted as loving and intimate, emphasizing their enduring love and mutual respect despite their disagreements and professional rivalry. It’s a great film in many respects, featuring stellar acting and a brilliant script.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 3, 2025

Funny in 1 hour and 41 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Savannah G

@Sgudino93 Apr 12, 2024

This might be one of my Favorite KH Performances - This is a perfect example of the chemistry between Tracy and Hepburn. Really Strong performances and the topic is really revolutionary at the time. and the balance between the marriage of the couple and really what it means to be married and also the equality that often times does not show up within marriage. the storytelling and the bits of Humor really brought this movie to the forefront - Surprised that KH was not even Nominated for this performance!

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George Cukor

Director

Spencer Tracy

Adam Bonner

Katharine Hepburn

Amanda Bonner

Judy Holliday

Doris Attinger

Tom Ewell

Warren Francis Attinger

David Wayne

Kip Lurie

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Synopsis

A courtroom rivalry finds its way into the household when prosecuting lawyer Adam Bonner (Spencer Tracy) faces off against his wife, Amanda (Katharine Hepburn), who happens to be a defense attorney. Working on opposite sides of a lawsuit where a woman (Judy Holliday) has shot her cheating husband (Tom Ewell), Adam and Amanda are both determined to win the case, and their home becomes the setting for comical showdowns, with neither spouse willing to relent.

Director: George Cukor
Producer: Lawrence Weingarten
Screenwriter: Ruth Gordon, Garson Kanin
Distributor: Criterion Collection, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 41m

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