Barbershop is a comedy media franchise that started in 2002. This movie series was a big financial and critical success. The big success is largely owed to the amazing cast: Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Keith David, Michael Ealy, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Eve among others. The movies are focused on the social life in a barbershop on the South Side of Chicago. After the success of the first two movies, a spin-off movie named Beauty Shop has been released starring Queen Latifah and Kevin Bacon. In this article, we’re going to see how many Barbershop movies are there and what is the best way to watch them.
How many Barbershop movies are there?
There are three Barbershop movies and one spin-off movie, Beauty Shop. The first movie, Barbershop, was released in 2002, and the second one named Barbershop 2: Back in Business came out in 2004. Almost twelve years later in 2016, Barbershop: The Next Cut was released with almost the whole original cast. The spin-off movie, Beauty Shop, came out between the first and second Barbershop movies in 2005.
Barbershop movies in order (at a glance)
Barbershops have always been a place where people from all walks of life gather together, discuss topics, and enjoy each other’s company. This premise is perfect for a comedy movie, so it is no surprise these movies were a success.
- Barbershop (2002)
- Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)
- Beauty Shop (2005)
- Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
Among the fantastic actor that I listed above, there are some other stars that appear in the franchise. Notable cast members include Octavia Spencer, Nicki Minaj, Regina Hall, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, and Kenan Thompson.
What is the best way to watch Barbershop movies?
The best way to watch Barbershop movies is in their release order. Even though the third movie is a spin-off, it still follows the same premise and it is set in the same movie universe.
Barbershop movies in order (by release date)
1. Barbershop (2002)
Director: Tim Story
Writers: Mark Brown, Don D. Scott, Marshall Todd
Runtime: 1h 42 min
Synopsis: It is a long day in a barbershop on the South side of Chicago. Calvin, who inherited the business, sees the barbershop as a burden and a waste of his time. Only after he sells the barbershop to a loan shark, he finally begins to see his father’s vision and legacy. This barbershop is full of life, and characters who share their stories. In the barbershop, there is Eddie, an old barber with strong opinions and zero customers. Then, we have Jimmy who is a highly educated barber with a superiority complex who can’t stand Isaac, the new, white barber who just wants a shot at cutting some hair. Next, there is Ricky, an ex-con with two strikes against him who is desperately trying to stay out of jail. Terri is a hard-edged woman who can’t leave her cheating boyfriend. And lastly, there’s Dinka, a barber who is madly in love with Terri but she doesn’t even acknowledge his existence.
2. Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Writers: Don D. Scott
Runtime: 1h 46 min
Synopsis: The adventures of the barbers at Calvin’s Barbershop continue. This time around, the threat to the barbershop is Gina, a stylist at the beauty shop next door who is trying to cut in on his business. To make things more complicated there are urban developers looking to replace mom-and-pop establishments with name-brand chains, and that makes Calvin’s efforts to keep his father’s shop and traditions alive even harder. The world has to change, but some things will never go out of style-from politics to relationships and love, there is nothing off-topic at the barbershop.
3. Beauty Shop (2005)
Director: Bille Woodruff
Writers: Kate Lanier, Norman Vance Jr.
Runtime: 1h 45 min
Synopsis: We aren’t in Chicago anymore. Gina, from Barbershop 2: Back in Business, has moved to Atlanta, and now she is working in a beauty shop run by a nightmare boss Jorge. Nevertheless, Gina is happy to work at Jorge’s, but her real dream is to own her own beauty shop. One day, after Jorge takes credit for her work, Gina decides to quit the salon and finally opens up her dream beauty shop with her friend and colleague from Jorge’s Lynn. Gina’s beauty shop becomes a place where you can get great hair and speak your mind freely. But, not everything is perfect, because Jorge is out for revenge. Can Gina and her coworkers outsmart Jorge?
4. Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Writers: Kenya Barris, Tracy Oliver
Runtime: 1h 51 min
Synopsis: After 10 years it is time for a new appointment at Calvin’s Barbershop. Calvin and his longtime crew are all still there, but the barbershop has undergone some big changes. The biggest change is that this once male-dominated spot is now co-ed. The ladies bring their own flavor, drama, and gossip to the barbershop, and they challenge the fellas at every turn. In the barbershop, there are good times and camaraderie within the crew, but the surrounding community has taken a turn for the worse. Will Calvin and his crew be able to come together to save the barbershop and their neighborhood?
Where to watch Barbershop movies?
You can watch all three Barbershop movies, and the spin-off movie by renting or purchasing them on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Do you need to watch Barbershop movies in order?
Yes, it is best to watch all the movies in their release order. Only the spin-off movie, Beauty Shop, can be watched separately. Even though, it makes the most sense to watch Beauty Shop after Barbershop 2: Back in Business, because Queen Latifah appears in both.
Are Barbershop movies connected?
All the movies in the Barbershop franchise are connected. Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, and Barbershop: The Next Cut are connected with the plot and characters, and they take place in the same barbershop. On the other hand, the Beauty Shop movie shares only Queen Latifah’s character with the main story movie. But, the movie still follows the same premise, only that the plot takes place in a beauty shop, not a barbershop.
Will there be more Barbershop movies?
It looks like there will be no more Barbershop movies. Ice Cube has talked many times about Barbershop 5 in the press, but we still have no concrete information about the project. The last movie in the franchise was released 15 years ago, so it is not likely that there will be a Barbershop 5. But to end on a positive note, Barbershop: The Next Cut was announced almost 10 years after Barbershop 2: Back in Business, so who knows maybe there is still a chance for Barbershop 5 in the coming years.
