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Natural Born Killers

Natural Born Killers is a 1994 American crime film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Natural Born Killers is a 1994 American crime film directed by Oliver Stone. It stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as Mickey and Mallory Knox, a murderous couple who become media celebrities. The film is known for its satirical portrayal of sensationalist media.

Plot

The film follows Mickey and Mallory Knox, a traumatized couple who embark on a killing spree while being sensationalized by the media. Its narrative satirizes the public’s fascination with violence and celebrity.

Production and release

Natural Born Killers was directed by Oliver Stone from a story by Quentin Tarantino, with the screenplay credited to David Veloz, Richard Rutowski, and Stone. It premiered in 1994 and was released in the United States by Warner Bros. on August 26, 1994.

Reception

The film was controversial on release because of its graphic violence and critical view of the media. Reviews were polarized, but it still became a box office success, grossing about $110 million against a $34 million budget.

Awards

At the 1994 Venice Film Festival, the film won the Grand Jury Prize.

Key facts

  • The film is a 1994 American crime film directed by Oliver Stone.
  • It centers on Mickey and Mallory Knox, a couple who become mass murderers and media figures.
  • Warner Bros. released the film in the United States on August 26, 1994.
  • It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1994.
  • The film was commercially successful, grossing about $110 million against a $34 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada through the same North American release era as its U.S. launch and became part of broader Canadian and international discussion about media violence and censorship, though no Canada-specific production details are identified in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Natural Born Killers about?
It follows Mickey and Mallory Knox, a murderous couple whose crimes are sensationalized by the media.
Who directed Natural Born Killers?
Oliver Stone directed the film.
Who wrote Natural Born Killers?
The story is credited to Quentin Tarantino, and the screenplay to David Veloz, Richard Rutowski, and Oliver Stone.
When was Natural Born Killers released?
It was released in the United States on August 26, 1994.
Was Natural Born Killers successful at the box office?
Yes. It grossed about $110 million worldwide against a $34 million budget.
Did Natural Born Killers win any awards?
Yes. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1994.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Born_Killers
    Supports: Director, cast, release date, festival award, budget, box office, and plot overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Natural-Born-Killers
    Supports: Film identification, director, Quentin Tarantino story credit, and general plot description.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/natural_born_killers
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, rating, and release information.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/natural-born-killers
    Supports: Runtime, rating, director, cast, and thematic description.