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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

The Gentlemen

The Gentlemen is a 2019 British-American crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Gentlemen is a 2019 British-American crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie. It stars Matthew McConaughey as an American expatriate who tries to sell his marijuana empire in London, triggering blackmail, schemes, and violence among rival criminals.

Plot

The story follows Mickey Pearson, an American drug lord in England who plans to sell his profitable cannabis business. That decision sparks blackmail, rivalry, and criminal manoeuvring among those seeking to take over his operation.

Production

The film was written by Guy Ritchie with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, and Ritchie also directed and produced it. It features a large ensemble cast and was marketed as a fast-paced crime comedy in Ritchie’s style.

Release and reception

The Gentlemen premiered in London in December 2019 and reached UK and US cinemas in January 2020. It received generally positive reviews and was a box-office success.

Spin-off television series

A related television series titled The Gentlemen was released by Netflix in 2024. It is a separate work but shares the same title and crime-world premise.

Key facts

  • The Gentlemen is a 2019 crime comedy directed by Guy Ritchie.
  • The film stars Matthew McConaughey as an American drug lord in London.
  • It grossed about $115 million worldwide against a $22 million budget.
  • A Netflix television spin-off was released in 2024.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed in English-language markets, including Canada, and is relevant to Canadian viewers as a major Guy Ritchie crime-comedy release from 2020.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Gentlemen about?
It follows Mickey Pearson, an American who built a cannabis empire in London and then tries to sell it, setting off schemes, blackmail, and violence.
Who directed The Gentlemen?
Guy Ritchie directed the film.
Who stars in The Gentlemen?
The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Henry Golding, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant.
When was The Gentlemen released?
It premiered in December 2019 and was released theatrically in January 2020.
How successful was The Gentlemen at the box office?
It grossed about $115 million worldwide against a reported $22 million budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gentlemen_(2019_film)
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, plot premise, premiere and theatrical release dates, worldwide gross, and 2024 spin-off mention.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8367814/
    Supports: Plot premise, director, writers, and principal cast.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_gentlemen
    Supports: Genre, runtime, original language, release date, and box office gross.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-gentlemen
    Supports: Runtime, MPAA rating, release timing, and cast/crew details.