Three Fugitives

Three Fugitives
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrancis Veber
Written byFrancis Veber
Produced byLauren Shuler Donner
Starring
CinematographyHaskell Wexler
Edited byBruce Green
Music byDavid McHugh
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date
  • January 27, 1989 (1989-01-27)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$40.6 million

Three Fugitives is a 1989 American crime comedy film, written and directed by Francis Veber, starring Nick Nolte and Martin Short, with supporting roles by Sarah Doroff, James Earl Jones, Alan Ruck, and Kenneth McMillan in his final film appearance. It is a remake of Les Fugitifs, a 1986 French comedy starring Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard also directed by Veber.

The film follows a former notorious bank robber (Nolte) who, on the day he gets out of prison, is randomly taken hostage by another inexperienced bank robber (Short) while trying to cash his prison check, leading the police to assume he is behind it. A series of situations ensues as the pair try to evade capture from the police.

The film grossed more than $11.9 million its first two weeks of release at the box office. Despite this, it received a general negative reception from critics, with many citing its outdated comedy and overuse of violence and profanity.