White Chicks

White Chicks is a 2004 American buddy cop comedy film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and starring Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans.

White Chicks is a 2004 American buddy cop comedy directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans as FBI agents who go undercover as white women. Despite negative reviews, it became a cult hit and grossed over US$113 million worldwide.

What it is

The film follows FBI agents Kevin and Marcus Copeland (played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans) who, after a failed operation, disguise themselves as wealthy white socialites to protect two hotel heiresses from a kidnapping plot. The comedy relies heavily on mistaken identity and prosthetic makeup, with Greg Cannom handling the special effects.

Why it matters

Though panned by critics and nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture, White Chicks was a commercial success, earning US$113.1 million on a US$37 million budget. It later developed a cult following and remains one of the Wayans family's most recognizable films. Notably, it was partially shot in British Columbia, including Vancouver, giving it a Canadian production connection.

Key details

Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, who co-wrote the screenplay with Andy McElfresh and Michael Anthony Snowden, with contributions from the Wayans brothers. The film runs 109 minutes, is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, and stars Jaime King, Frankie Faison, Lochlyn Munro, and John Heard alongside the leads.