Sister Act (1992)

70% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(665,821 ratings)

A sleeper hit that received a lukewarm reception from critics but was a success with audiences, Sister Act (1992) was star Whoopi Golberg's first bona fide smash after her Oscar victory for Ghost (1990). Goldberg stars as Deloris Van Cartier, a Reno lounge singer who accidentally witnesses a brutal… More A sleeper hit that received a lukewarm reception from critics but was a success with audiences, Sister Act (1992) was star Whoopi Golberg's first bona fide smash after her Oscar victory for Ghost (1990). Goldberg stars as Deloris Van Cartier, a Reno lounge singer who accidentally witnesses a brutal murder carried out by her gangster boyfriend Vince (Harvey Keitel). Under the protection of a detective (Bill Nunn) who's trying to bring down Vince's criminal operation, Deloris is placed in protective custody at a San Francisco convent. Masquerading as a nun renamed Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris shakes up the established order of the sisters' lives, particularly enlivening their choral efforts. Although running constantly afoul of the Mother Superior (Maggie Smith), the new, jazzed-up musical act becomes a huge hit in the community, even drawing the attention of the Pope, but also alerting Vince to Deloris' whereabouts. Although credited to the pseudonymous Joseph Howard, Sister Act was actually written by Paul Rudnick and Carrie Fisher. The film was followed by a sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Emile Ardolino
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: May 29, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Jan 18, 2000
Studio: Buena Vista

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Nothing like a heartwarming Disney comedy with a body count to raise spirits.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A silly, harmless star vehicle for Whoopi Goldberg--sort of nuns on the run.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Terribly unfunny musical-comedy with nails-on-blackboard performances
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Pretty stupid.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
About a lounge singer who finds a mission in life that transforms her.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bethany M

I love these films!
AJ V

Why is this movie so popular? I've always wondered that. It seems like you can find it somewhere on TV at any time of the day. This movie isn't bad, it's just not that good. Goldberg just isn't that funny, and there are a lot of better movies similar to this… More
Why is this movie so popular? I've always wondered that. It seems like you can find it somewhere on TV at any time of the day. This movie isn't bad, it's just not that good. Goldberg just isn't that funny, and there are a lot of better movies similar to this one anyway.
Sanjaya &

A little boring in the beginning, but when Sister Mary Clarence got moved into a Covent and been assigned to handle the choir, the story gets more and more interesting for me.. Whoopi Goldberg show her best performance that she can in this movie, knowing that acting in a comedy movie… More
A little boring in the beginning, but when Sister Mary Clarence got moved into a Covent and been assigned to handle the choir, the story gets more and more interesting for me.. Whoopi Goldberg show her best performance that she can in this movie, knowing that acting in a comedy movie was a little harder to keep your act quality on... The story was funny, and the song was a joy to behold... Love this movie!!
Jennifer D

LOL funny and cute. I remember this being huge when I was a kid (4 when it came out) finally glad to see it though! Funny how they never actually said "witness protection". LOVE Maggie Smith.
erika b

good comedy
Anthony L

Oh look, Nun's being normal, like normal people....amazing! Feeding off ignorance and stereotype, this is a basic premise and a lazy film.
Jason O

Heard tons about this movie for many a year but never saw it until a couple of years ago. Still very memorable and all around awesomely entertaining movie!
Candy R

Whoopi hides out in a convent from the mob.
Cassie H

Whoopi Goldberg is HILLARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!
Film C

nothing like a bit of sister act
Dean !

An ok comedy if a bit too musical.
Jennifer X

feel-good movie. it's on disney channel all the time.
Dan S

Ok, but not great.
Rachel F

Pretty funny. Gotta love Whoopi Goldberg
Curtis L

oh no, not sister act!
Dean M

Whoopi Goldberg is a delight in this funny and heartwarming romp.
xGary X

Dumb and formulaic comedy in which trashy Whoopi Goldberg and a bunch of nuns teach each other life lessons. Couldn't be more predictable if it tried.
Jason S

A funny movie that had the fine city of Reno in it.
danny d

im not a whoopi fan, but this flick is entertaining
Jose Z

not my type of movie, I think that the situations are not funny neither the jokes, and respecting the acting maybe the worst i've ever seen on Whoopi Goldberg

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier/Mary Clarence

            Maggie Smith as Mother Superior

            Kathy Najimy as Mary Patrick

            Wendy Makkena as Mary Robert

            Mary Wickes as Mary Lazarus

            Harvey Keitel as Vince LaRocca

            Bill Nunn as Eddie Souther

            Robert Miranda as Joey

            Richard Portnow as Willy

            Carmen Zapata as Choir Nun

            Pat Crawford Brown as Choir Nun

            Purdence Wright Holmes as Choir Nun

            Susan Browning as Choir Nun

            Darlene Koldenhoven as Choir Nun

            Sheri Izzard as Choir Nun

            Edith Diaz as Choir Nun

            Beth Fowler as Choir Nun

            Skye Bassett as 3rd Teenage Girl

            Zatella Beatty as 2nd Teenage Girl

            Jim Beaver as Det. Clarkson

            Kevin Bourland as Pilot

            Guy Boyd as Detective (unbilled)

            Georgia Creighton as Choir Nun

            Charlotte Crossley as Tina

            Lois De Banzie as Immaculata

            Ellen Albertini Dow as Choir Nun

            Michael Durrell as Larry Merrick

            Eugene Greytak as Pope

            Max Grodénchik as Ernie

            Desreta Jackson as 1st Teenage Girl

            Robert Jimenez as News Reporter

            Mike Jolly as Biker #1

            Isis Carmen Jones as Little Deloris

            Toni Kalem as Connie LaRocca

            Nicky Katt as Waiter

            Ruth Kobart as Choir Nun

            Jenifer Lewis as Michelle

            Joseph Maher as Bishop O'Hara

            Joseph Medalis as Henry Parker

            Rose Parenti as Sister Alma

            Timothy J. Pedegana as Gambler

            Jeremy Roberts as Biker #2

            Terry Wills as Salesman

            David Parker as Bartender

            Lynda Gordon
            
            Judy Taylor
            
            Adrienne-Joi Johnson as Lewanda

            David Boyce as Croupier

            Susan Johnson as Choir Nun
See full cast

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