Raising Arizona 1987
"Their lawless years are behind them. Their child-rearing years lay ahead..."
Joel Coen's breakout comedy-caper Raising Arizona (1987) follows the chaotic journey of H.I. McDunnough, a small-time ex-con trying to go straight, and his determined wife Ed, a former police officer turned homemaker.
Director: Joel Coen
Cast
Nicolas Cage
H.I.
Holly Hunter
Ed
Trey Wilson
Nathan Arizona, Sr.
John Goodman
Gale
William Forsythe
Evelle
Sam McMurray
Glen
Frances McDormand
Dot
Randall 'Tex' Cobb
Leonard Smalls
T.J. Kuhn
Nathan Junior
Lynne Kitei
Florence Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raising Arizona (1987) about?
A childless ex-con and his ex-cop wife resort to stealing a baby from a wealthy family to start their own chaotic family. Their impulsive act triggers a cross-country chase filled with bumbling criminals, relentless bounty hunters, and escalating absurdity.
Who directed Raising Arizona?
Raising Arizona was directed by Joel Coen, who co-founded the iconic Coen Brothers filmmaking team and crafted the movie's offbeat tone.
Who stars in Raising Arizona?
The film stars Nicolas Cage as H.I. McDunnough, Holly Hunter as Ed McDunnough, with scene-stealing support from John Goodman, Trey Wilson, and William Forsythe.
Is Raising Arizona (1987) worth watching?
Absolutely—Raising Arizona is a cult classic that delivers nonstop laughs, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable performances. Its blend of crime, comedy, and heart makes it a must-watch for fans of offbeat cinema.
How long is Raising Arizona?
Raising Arizona runs for 94 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Raising Arizona (1987) — A hilarious crime comedy about family, luck, and life on the lam
Joel Coen's breakout comedy-caper Raising Arizona (1987) follows the chaotic journey of H.I. McDunnough, a small-time ex-con trying to go straight, and his determined wife Ed, a former police officer turned homemaker. After years of bad luck and empty arms, their luck changes when they impulsively swipe one of the five newborn quintuplets from the prosperous Arizona family who own the local furniture empire. What starts as a heartwarming family fantasy spirals into a frenetic crime spree that pits the McDunnoughs against bounty hunters, bumbling biker gangs, and Ed's hilariously overprotective ex-boss. The film blends razor-sharp dialogue, slapstick slapstick energy, and Coen's signature deadpan wit to explore themes of luck, lawlessness, and the messy business of creating your own family.
Visually packed with neon desert hues, dust-choked small-town streets, and a breakneck pace, Raising Arizona (1987) feels like a Technicolor fever dream where every wrong turn lands the couple deeper in hot water. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter ignite the screen with electric chemistry, grounding the absurdity in raw emotion—his wild-eyed desperation, her no-nonsense grit—making their misadventures both hilarious and oddly poignant.
