The King of Comedy poster

The King of Comedy

It's no laughing matter.

7.8(2,691)19821h 49m13

Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy.

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Status
Released
Budget
$19M
Box office
$2.5M
Language
English
  • prison
  • new york city
  • blackmail
  • show business
  • entertainer
  • fbi
  • studio
  • receptionist
  • zealous
  • cautionary
  • hilarious
  • audacious

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

United States of America

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

Still from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of ComedyStill from The King of Comedy

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • Theatrical (limited)PG18 Feb 1983
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalPG30 Jun 1983
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalPG30 Jun 1983
  • CanadaCA

    • Theatrical (limited)14A18 Dec 1982
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical18 Feb 1983
    • Physical12DVD/VHS Fox15 Aug 2005
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Physical18+1 Nov 1994
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical (limited)1518 Dec 1982
  • FinlandFI

    • Theatrical (limited)K-1618 Dec 1982
  • FranceFR

    • PremiereCannes Film Festival7 May 1983
    • TheatricalU18 May 1983
    • PhysicalDVD3 Mar 2004
    • PhysicalBlu-Ray14 May 2014
    • Digital / OTTVOD31 Jul 2014
    • Digital / OTTDisney+3 Jun 2022
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical64 Mar 1983
  • IcelandIS

    • Theatrical18 Dec 1982
  • IndonesiaID

    • Digital / OTT17+KlikFilm1 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

The King of Comedy was released on 18 December 1982.

Audience reviews

4
  • I

    Ian Beale

    2/18/2017

    8/10

    **De Niro as yet another deluded psycho** De Niro is Rupert Pitkin, a comedian who seeks to be as famous as his hero, Jerry Lewis. Pupkin could be Travis Bickle's equally disturbed brother - both of them living in New York and both of them losing their minds in unison. After much rejection, the crazed Pupkin decides to kidnap his hero and hold him for ransom until a studio gives him a big break. Jerry Lewis is …

  • A

    adorablepanic

    4/7/2020

    10/10

    Martin Scorsese's THE KING OF COMEDY was the lowest-grossing major studio film of 1982. It isn't difficult to see why: It's loaded with uncomfortable situations; there is no obvious protagonist; no sympathetic characters (the one that could potentially get our sympathy turns out to be a thief); and everyone is grating and/or unpleasant (even Tony Randall plays 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 as a demanding prick). This lack of popula…

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    10/22/2023

    7/10

    Robert De Niro is great in this enjoyable comedy about the aspiring comedian "Pupkin" who is prepared to go to great lengths to get his moment in the sun. To that end he doorsteps acclaimed chat-show host "Jerry" (the entirely convincing Jerry Lewis) and, not exactly lacking in self-confidence, convinces him to listen to his material. Anything for a peaceable life thinks the star and agrees clearly just to be rid of …

  • R

    r96sk

    8/12/2024

    8/10

    A bit long-winded, but undoubtedly a very good movie. <em>'The King of Comedy'</em> has a sturdy Robert De Niro lead performance, as well as solid support from Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. I enjoyed seeing the split from what actually happens and how De Niro's Rupert Pupkin views things via his dreams; especially with how merged they become by the end. Absolutely zero surprise to now learn that Todd Phillip…

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