Skip to content
SearchOTT
The Great Debaters poster

The Great Debaters

2007·Movie·PG-13·126 min·7.3(713)

When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.

The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African-American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

▶ Watch trailer

Where to watch The Great Debaters in United States

Click a service to open The Great Debaters there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.

Where is The Great Debaters streaming around the world?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesYouTube TV, Angel Studios, Tubi TVAmazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
IndiaApple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
United KingdomLionsgate+ Amazon ChannelsApple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
CanadaLionsgate+ Amazon ChannelsCosmoGo, Amazon Video
AustraliaApple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
GermanyAmazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
FranceLionsgate+ Amazon ChannelsApple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Canal VOD
SpainLionsgate+ Amazon Channels
JapanU-NEXTAmazon Video, Apple TV Store, FOD

About The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters is a 2007 English-language drama film directed by Denzel Washington. The cast is led by Denzel Whitaker, Denzel Washington, Nate Parker. It has a runtime of 2h 6m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 700 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on YouTube TV, Angel Studios, Tubi TV.

The Great Debaters was produced by Marshall Production, The Weinstein Company, and Harpo Films and made in United States of America. It was released on December 25, 2007, and carries a PG-13 certification. Made on a budget of about $15 million, it went on to gross $30 million worldwide.

Director
Denzel Washington
Writers
Jeffrey Porro, Robert Eisele
Release date
December 25, 2007
Original language
English
Age rating
PG-13
Status
Released
Country
United States of America
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$30 million
Production
Marshall Production, The Weinstein Company, Harpo Films
#biography#racial segregation#based on true story#racism#inspiring story#white supremacy#anti-racism#inspirational#motivational#fight against racism

The Great Debaters cast & crew

The Great Debaters was directed by Denzel Washington and written by Jeffrey Porro and Robert Eisele.

The cast features Denzel Whitaker as James Farmer Jr., Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson, Nate Parker as Henry Lowe, Jurnee Smollett as Samantha Booke, Forest Whitaker as Dr. James Farmer Sr., and Kimberly Elise as Pearl Farmer.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by James Newton Howard, cinematography is by Philippe Rousselot, and it was produced by Todd Black and David Crockett.

Is The Great Debaters worth watching?

The Great Debaters holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 713 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.

At 2h 6m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy drama, The Great Debaters is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The Great Debaters

In United States, you can stream The Great Debaters on YouTube TV, Angel Studios, and Tubi TV, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.

Rate & review

Your rating and review are saved privately in this browser — no account needed.

Cast of The Great Debaters

Denzel Whitaker

Denzel Whitaker

James Farmer Jr.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Melvin B. Tolson

Nate Parker

Nate Parker

Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett

Samantha Booke

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

Dr. James Farmer Sr.

Kimberly Elise

Kimberly Elise

Pearl Farmer

Jermaine Williams

Jermaine Williams

Hamilton Burgess

Gina Ravera

Gina Ravera

Ruth Tolson

John Heard

John Heard

Sheriff Dozier

Devyn A. Tyler

Devyn A. Tyler

Helen Farmer

No photo

Trenton McClain Boyd

Nathaniel Farmer

Ritchie Montgomery

Ritchie Montgomery

Deputy

The Great Debaters — FAQs

Where can I watch The Great Debaters in United States?

The Great Debaters is streaming on YouTube TV, Angel Studios, Tubi TV in United States.

Is The Great Debaters on YouTube TV?

Yes — The Great Debaters is currently available on YouTube TV in United States.

What language is The Great Debaters in?

The Great Debaters is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.

How long is The Great Debaters?

The Great Debaters runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).

What is The Great Debaters rated?

The Great Debaters is rated PG-13. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 713 ratings.

More like The Great Debaters

The Birth of a Nation
Glory
Son of the South
Nickel Boys
12 Years a Slave
The Hate U Give
Free State of Jones
Rustin
Emancipation
Disgrace
Crown Heights
Rosewood
The Great Debaters (2007) — where to watch online · SearchOTT