Back to trending
They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

Drama · Action · Thriller · 1970

A police detective's investigation of a prostitute's murder points to his best friend.

Movie details

They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

“The last time Virgil Tibbs had a day like this was "In the Heat of the Night"”

1970 Drama · Action · Thriller 1h 48m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.9 / 10

Community rating

A police detective's investigation of a prostitute's murder points to his best friend.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over They Call Me Mister Tibbs!?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

The Locksmith

The Locksmith

Thriller · 2023

A thief fresh out of prison, tries to work his way back into the life of his daughter and ex-fiancé. Determined, he is forced to use the skills he has as a gifted locksmith. Things take a tumultuous turn after an unexpected disappearance.

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken

Drama · 2015

The true story of the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken, the grandson of the founder of the Heineken brewery, and his driver. They were released after a ransom of 35 million Dutch guilders was paid.

McQ

McQ

Action · 1974

Police Lieutenant Lon McQ investigates the killing of his best friend and uncovers corrupt elements of the police department dealing in confiscated drugs.

Spartan

Spartan

Mystery · 2004

U.S. government agent Scott is assigned to rescue the daughter of a high-ranking government official. As willing as he is to bend the rules to get things done, though, Scott is shocked to find that others are willing to go even further to protect a political career.

The Organization

The Organization

Drama · 1971

After a group of young revolutionaries break into a company's corporate headquarters and steal $5,000,000 worth of heroin to keep it off the street, they call on San Francisco Police Lieutenant Virgil Tibbs for assistance.

Desert Dawn

Desert Dawn

Action · 2025

A newly appointed small-town sheriff and his begrudging deputy get tangled up in a web of lies and corruption involving shady businessmen and the cartel while investigating the murder of a mysterious woman.

The Losers

The Losers

Action · 2010

On a mission deep in the Bolivian jungle, a team of elite commandos finds itself on the receiving end of a lethal betrayal. Now presumed dead, the men join forces with a mysterious operative named Aisha to hunt down their enemy and even the score.

The Crew

The Crew

Drama · 2008

Hoping to raise enough capital to finance a legitimate business and leave behind his life of crime, Liverpool underworld boss Ged Brennan sends his brother Ratter and a crew to pull a daring final heist. But when Ratter kills a drug kingpin during the job, Brennan must turn to rival crook Franner to avert an all-out gangland war.

Staten Island

Staten Island

Drama · 2009

Sully is desperate to give his unborn son the chance he never had. Jasper wants to escape the mobsters that have infiltrated his life and business. Parmie, a local mob boss, dreams of crushing the competition. All three men live in Staten Island, and once their lives intersect, nothing will ever be the same.

The Rookie

The Rookie

Action · 1990

Veteran cop Nick Pulovski is used to playing musical partners; many of the partners he's had in the past have died on the job, and often as a result of Nick's risky tactics. But the rookie who's been assigned to help Nick bust a carjacking ring is almost as hotheaded as he is … and when Nick gets kidnapped, his newbie partner is his only hope.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Gordon Douglas

Written by

James R. Webb · Alan Trustman

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier

Virgil Tibbs

Martin Landau

Martin Landau

Logan Sharpe

Barbara McNair

Barbara McNair

Valerie Tibbs

Anthony Zerbe

Anthony Zerbe

Rice Weedon

Ed Asner

Ed Asner

Woody Garfield

Jeff Corey

Jeff Corey

Captain Marden

Norma Crane

Norma Crane

Marge Garfield

Court is in session

Put They Call Me Mister Tibbs! on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Prestige Tourist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.