Denzel Washington,
Whitney Houston,
Courtney B. Vance,
Gregory Hines,
Justin Pierre Edmund
... see more 
An angel wonders if love can be Heaven on Earth in this family-themed romantic fantasy. Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) is the pastor of a struggling Baptist church in a poor section of New York ... read more
Directed by: Penny Marshall
Release Date: December 13, 1996
DVD Release Date: August 13, 2002
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Stats: 721 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (721)
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October 14, 2009Saw this one a few times when it was new. Liked it a good bit. Now I know it was right before Whitney turned crazy and as far from being like a preacher's wife than anything.
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December 2, 2007Nice christmasy, heart warming movie. I think this was one of the first movies I'd seen Denzel in. He has a great smile. Great music by Whitney. Her voice is amazing.
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December 21, 2006Soulless reworking of The Bishops wife punctuated by Whitney Houston's irritating yodeling. Pointless and trite.
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August 6, 2010How bullshit can this be? Sigh, the unintelligent disaster of a romantic comedy remake, the sprinkling odor is lost, the charm and innocence is dead, so do yourself a favor like the challenging viewer you are and admit this buffalo wing is actually a raw turkey!
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April 4, 2009A sweet Christmas movie about a small church and an angel who restores the faith.
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May 7, 2006I love the song the kids sing in their program. But the tempted angel? Not feelin' it.
Critic Reviews
September 24, 2002
Esther Iverem, Washington Post
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
The Preacher's Wife qualifies as old-fashioned Hollywood movie making at its corniest and most saccharine. But the mostly African American cast puts an engaging spin on the chestnut, and it works beau... Full Review
April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
For a movie that might have offered a new twist of the mistletoe, The Preacher's Wife delivers the Scrooge-like acceptable market minimum. Full Review
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The Preacher's Wife is one Christmas picture that actually is in the spirit of the season. It's warm, sentimental, amusing yet serious, bringing fantasy to bear upon the painfully real. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
As warm and cheery as a mug of hot cocoa on a frosty morn.
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
An endearingly modest entertainment elevated by the luminous double presence of Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A welcome boost for audiences seeking images of black characters without criminal tendencies. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie could have done more, but what it does, it makes you feel good about. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Penny Marshall's remake of The Bishop's Wife is very uneven -- sometimes sweet or soulful, often stiff. Full Review
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
If not for the pervasive spirit of the season, something like this could easily send me into sugar shock. It's a little too nice and happy. Full Review
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The Preacher's Wife
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