Do the Right Thing

1989 · 2h00 · Film

Directed by Spike Lee

Starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Paul Benjamin, Frankie Faison

Ideal when you feel… Sad / low Exhausted

Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

Original language

English

Screenplay

Spike Lee, Jeff Balsmeyer

Music

Bill Lee

Cinematography

Ernest R. Dickerson

Cast

Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Paul Benjamin, Frankie Faison, Robin Harris, Joie Lee

Updated July 22, 2026

Trailer

How to watch