8MM

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8MM

R

1999

2h 3m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.

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Critics Consensus

Its sadistic violence is unappealing and is lacking in suspense and mystery.

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

Mar 21, 2019

Mr. Cage has become such a wet-eyed purveyor of moral anguish that he makes Mr. Pitt look calm, cool and collected.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Sep 17, 2008

I can't say I warmed to the results, but I was solidly held for the film's two hours.

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Derek Elley

Variety

Jul 22, 2008

A movie that keeps jumping the gate and finally unravels all over the floor.

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Stephanie Malone

Morbidly Beautiful

Oct 1, 2024

5/5

It's a daring, divisive thriller that may not appeal to all viewers thanks to its disturbing themes, but it remains a thought-provoking and intense thriller that has managed to maintain every bit of its devastating impact twenty-five years later.

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Chris Alexander

Alexander On Film

Nov 26, 2020

I believe 8MM to be (Schumacher's) masterpiece and certainly, it's further evidence that Cage is one of the great dramatic screen presences when used properly and when dialing down his patented eccentricities

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 9, 2020

3/10

Cage himself is rarely convincing in the part of a man in over his head; his dialogue is forced and his anger and rage are almost comical.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 23, 2026

8MM = a 2.5 star Movie!!!

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ill 3

@RT25493494 Mar 23, 2026

Maybe a bit cheesy but this movie is really underrated and I believe they did a good job on the mystery aspect.

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Laurie S

@Karlwinters Mar 20, 2026

80% of the cast died from lung cancer from smoking too much.

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Gi S

@Gistevenn Mar 13, 2026

I would have rated this movie 3 1\2* or 4* but i feel because of the subject matter and the awful language it should have been rated x not r imho.

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Howie B

@Howie10 Jan 27, 2026

A film neither Cage or Phoenix could be truly proud of. Both gave very ordinary performances by their own standards. The story delved into a world of extreme pornography which seemed at first very unrealistic, but did end up seemingly plausible. The righteous retribution venture however did not. Not a film for the faint hearted or those seeking a ‘just’ ending.

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Noneof Y.

@wbeidb3jdis9618 Nov 26, 2025

This movie was nothing more than an attempt to destroy people's lives enough to lay the foundation for criminals took take advantage of like Prince Yahshua

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Nicolas Cage

Tom Welles

Joaquin Phoenix

Max California

James Gandolfini

Eddie Poole

Peter Stormare

Dino Velvet

Anthony Heald

Daniel Longdale

8MM: Official Clip - Norman Reedus Cameo

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8MM: Official Clip - BRUTAL Gimp Attack

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8MM: Official Clip - This Snuff Film Is Fake-- Or Is It?

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8MM: Official Clip - P*rn Directors Are CREEPY AF

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8MM: Official Clip - Joaquin Phoenix: P*rn Expert

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8MM: Official Clip - Nic Cage DEMANDS Answers

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8MM: Official Clip - Nick Cage Beats James Gandolfini to Death

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8MM: Official Clip - Pull The F*cking Trigger!

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Synopsis

Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.

Director: Joel Schumacher
Producer: Judy Hofflund, Gavin Polone, Joel Schumacher
Screenwriter: Andrew Kevin Walker
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures, United Artists
Production Co: Hofflund/Polone, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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