Next Friday

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Next Friday Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Lazy, dumb, and misogynistic.

R 2000 98 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 16+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 10 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie is extremely raunchy and includes just about every kind of material except for graphic violence that parents try to keep away from kids. Parents whose kids do see this movie should at least try to talk with them about the portrayal of women (either sexual predators, compliant bimbos or terrifying harridans) and minorities and drugs as a way to bond and to escape worries.

Community Reviews

Truemarley
Truemarley Adult
December 10, 2020
age 18+

Classic film! For the culture indeed.

This is a film that’s for individuals 18+!!! There should not be ratings allowed from kids, especially with intention to harm or tarnish this films rating. Once again, THIS IS NOT A FILM FOR KIDS. It’s clearly a rated movie for adults. All the ratings that are mentioning kids, from parents, are irrelevant to say the least. Ratings from individuals that are under 18 are as well. This is a great film, hands down! If you can’t relate, at least try to understand that this is everyday life in many communities. This film is also pure comedy, each and every series. The work speaks for itself. The cast will forever be legendary! Ice Cube’s a genius, without a doubt. The message in this film seems to be misunderstood, but those who understand - gets it. Without these series (Friday, Next Friday, and Friday After Next) the culture would not be the same. Movies such as these were essential in our community and gave us all motivation to be better than our surroundings.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Takeyshia Luvnmyhubby C.
Takeyshia Luvnmyhubby C. Adult
May 2, 2017
age 17+

Good movie

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

This is the sequel to Friday, in which Craig (played by rap star Ice Cube, who co-wrote the screenplay) spent the day smoking pot and beat up the neighborhood bully. Also written by and starring Ice Cube, NEXT FRIDAY has the bully breaking out of prison and looking for revenge. Craig goes off to the suburbs to stay with his uncle, who bought a house with money he won in a lottery. Craig again spends the day smoking pot -- with his Uncle Elroy and Elroy's sexually rapacious girlfriend, and with Elroy's son Day-Day and his friend from work (before they get fired). When they have to raise $3600 to pay off delinquent property taxes, it never occurs to them to earn it or to go to the bank to get a home equity loan. No, clearly the best choice is to steal it from some vicious Latino drug dealers across the street.

Is It Any Good?

On the one hand, Next Friday is a lazy, dumb, and misogynistic and it promotes pot smoking, unemployment, and burglary. On the other hand, it is genial and unpretentious. If it does not take drug use, crime, racism, and sexism too seriously, it does not take itself too seriously either. Almost every joke in the movie is taken from another movie, but the cast enjoys them so much that they occasionally make it work.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the portrayal of women (either sexual predators, compliant bimbos or terrifying harridans) and minorities and drugs as a way to bond and to escape worries.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: January 12, 2000
  • On DVD or streaming: June 6, 2000
  • Cast: Ice Cube, Justin Pierce, Mike Epps
  • Director: Steve Carr
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: strong language, drug use and sexual content
  • Last updated: February 3, 2023

Our Editors Recommend

  • Barbershop Poster Image

    Barbershop

    Engaging ensemble comedy has some salty language.

    age 13+
  • Three Kings Poster Image

    Three Kings

    Violent, liberal George Clooney Gulf War caper.

    age 16+
  • Friday Poster Image

    Friday

    Ice Cube's drug- and profanity-filled 'hood cult classic.

    age 17+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate