Bowling for Columbine

Play trailer

Bowling for Columbine

R

2002

2h 0m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

166 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Political documentary filmmaker Michael Moore explores the circumstances that lead to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and, more broadly, the proliferation of guns and the high homicide rate in America. In his trademark provocative fashion, Moore accosts Kmart corporate employees and pleads with them to stop selling bullets, investigates why Canada doesn't have the same excessive rate of gun violence and questions actor Charlton Heston on his support of the National Rifle Association.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Though it may not always convince, Bowling for Columbine asks important questions and provokes thought.

Read Critics Reviews

Olivia B. Waxman

TIME Magazine

Sep 19, 2024

The filmmaker Michael Moore seeks to explain how the massacre could occur, and why gun deaths are so much higher in the U.S. than in other countries, he’s not afraid to confront high-profile figures.

Go to Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

Mar 16, 2020

Readers of these pages need no introduction to Michael Moore, nor will they require any acrobatics on my part to go see Bowling for Columbine, which is (brace yourselves) pretty terrific.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

4/5

Must-see gun violence documentary is brutal.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Collins

Radio Times

Jun 7, 2024

5/5

Bowling for Columbine urges you to think about what patriotism really means.

Go to Full Review

Savina Petkova

A Good Movie To Watch

Oct 29, 2023

8.6/10

No one vivisects the shortcomings of America better than Michael Moore.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 14, 2022

2.5/4

The film's continued relevance is impossible to ignore.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad 1 day ago

Bowling For Columbine is a *4.5* star Movie!

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 7, 2025

Real footage in 2 hours, 00 minutes, and 00 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Violent Images and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $21,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2002-2025 by Amazon MGM Studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Bahad j

@RT27093708 Aug 10, 2024

I really liked the characters and actions of the actors

See more

Geke g

@RT40239519 Aug 1, 2024

Once again. Micheal did a great job

See more

Cole N

@RT62025989 Apr 2, 2024

This documentary is biased in the fact that it exclusively tells one side of the story of gun violence in America. But it tells this side with both concerning and eye-opening detail. Moore transparently and powerfully appeals to the emotions of the audience, for one. This transparency is most evident and admirable, though, as he confronts the former NRA president and the K-Mart corporate headquarters, pleading for answers. Moore aptly focuses on the fear factor as that which is the drive to own guns in America, while pointing out the hypocrisy and denial of those that refuse to see the problem. Moore also does well to highlight the class disparities and the wealthy aloofness that only exacerbates this issue.

See more

Thomas S

@RT53929595 Mar 19, 2024

Very puzzling, I wouldn't live in the USA especially after seeing this. The showdown with Heston was upright epic!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Michael Moore

Director

Michael Moore

Narrator

George W. Bush

Self

Dick Clark

Self

Charlton Heston

Self

Marilyn Manson

Self

Fahrenheit 9/11

83%

70%

Fahrenheit 9/11

Watchlist

Capitalism: A Love Story

74%

74%

Capitalism: A Love Story

Watchlist

Fahrenheit 11/9

82%

60%

Fahrenheit 11/9

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Fahrenheit 11/9

Roger & Me

100%

79%

Roger & Me

Watchlist

The Yes Men

86%

67%

The Yes Men

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Lethal Weapon, Carrie, Dazed and Confused, and More Certified Fresh Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime

Michael Moore Talks "Sicko," Heath Care, Edutainment, Cuba

Cannes Wrap-Up: Michael Moore’s Latest And Leo’s Global Warming Doc

View more photos

Synopsis

Political documentary filmmaker Michael Moore explores the circumstances that lead to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and, more broadly, the proliferation of guns and the high homicide rate in America. In his trademark provocative fashion, Moore accosts Kmart corporate employees and pleads with them to stop selling bullets, investigates why Canada doesn't have the same excessive rate of gun violence and questions actor Charlton Heston on his support of the National Rifle Association.

Director: Michael Moore
Producer: Charles Bishop, Jim Czarnecki, Michael Donovan, Kathleen Glynn, Michael Moore
Screenwriter: Michael Moore
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Dog Eat Dog Films, Salter Street Films International, United Broadcasting Inc.
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.2M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings