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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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The Nice Guys

The Nice Guys is a 2016 American neo-noir buddy action comedy film directed by Shane Black.

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

The Nice Guys is a 2016 American neo-noir buddy action comedy film directed by Shane Black. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, it follows a private eye and a hired enforcer who team up to investigate a missing girl and a porn star's death.

Plot

The story is set in 1970s Los Angeles and follows two mismatched men who become involved in a crime investigation. Their search for a missing girl leads them into a wider conspiracy involving corruption and violence.

Production

The Nice Guys was directed by Shane Black, who co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi. Joel Silver is credited as producer, and Warner Bros. handled U.S. distribution.

Reception

The film was praised by critics for its dialogue, comic tone, and the chemistry between Crowe and Gosling. It performed poorly at the box office compared with its budget, despite its later cult reputation.

Cast

The main cast includes Russell Crowe as Jackson Healy and Ryan Gosling as Holland March. Supporting roles include Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger, and Keith David.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Holland March, a private eye, and Jackson Healy, a hired enforcer, who form an uneasy partnership.
  • Its plot involves the disappearance of a teenage girl and the death of a porn star.
  • It stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles.
  • The film received positive critical reviews for its humour, mystery, and performances.
  • It was a box-office disappointment relative to its reported production budget.
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Canadian context

The film had theatrical distribution in Canada as a widely released Hollywood feature and has remained familiar to Canadian audiences through home video, television, and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Nice Guys about?
It is about a private eye and a hired enforcer who team up in 1970s Los Angeles to investigate a missing girl and a porn star's death.
Who directed The Nice Guys?
Shane Black directed the film.
When was The Nice Guys released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on May 20, 2016.
Who stars in The Nice Guys?
The lead roles are played by Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.
What genre is The Nice Guys?
It is commonly described as a neo-noir buddy action comedy or crime comedy.
Was The Nice Guys a box-office success?
No. Sources describe it as a box-office flop relative to its reported production budget, even though it received strong reviews.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nice_Guys
    Supports: Release year, director, writers, cast, setting, plot, critical reception, and box-office performance.
  2. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m12808/nice-guys
    Supports: Release date, setting, and plot description.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-nice-guys
    Supports: Release date, rating, runtime, studio, genre, and plot summary.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_nice_guys
    Supports: Genre classification and rating information.
  5. Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/nice-guys-shane-black-interview-gosling-crowe-75dab55a9459cf9a7c996c2603fad1f7
    Supports: Cult reputation and retrospective significance.