In the imaginative teen comedy House Party, Kid (Christopher Reid) decides to go to his friend Play’s (Christopher Martin) house party, but neither of them can predict what’s in store for them on what could be the wildest night of their lives. The debut film by writer-director Reginald Hudlin features hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play bringing their star power to the big screen as aspiring rappers preparing for the neighborhood party of the year. When Kid’s father (Robin Harris) forbids him from attending Play’s party, Kid sneaks out anyway, kicking off a wild night full of dance-offs, rap battles, run-ins with bullies & the police, and a bit of romance.

House Party also stars Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, A.J. Johnson, Paul Anthony, Bowlegged Lou, B-Fine, Edith Fields, Kelly Jo Minter, Clifton Powell, Verda Bridges, Desi Arnez Hines II, Ludie C. Washington, Kimi-Sung, Barry Diamond, Mike Pniewski, Randy Harris, Diana Mendoza, George Clinton, Ellaraino and J. Jay Saunders.

Release Dates

• Original Release Date: March 9, 1990
• Criterion Blu-ray and 4K UHD Release: November 11, 2025

Criterion Special Edition Release Features

• 4K digital restoration, supervised by director of photography Peter Deming and approved by writer-director Reginald Hudlin, with 4.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Audio commentary featuring Hudlin
• Conversation featuring Hudlin, producer Warrington Hudlin, and film scholar Racquel Gates
• Cast reunion featuring actors B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, and the Legend Paul Anthony of Full Force; Tisha Campbell; AJ Johnson; Christopher “Play” Martin; Daryl “Chill” Mitchell; and Christopher “Kid” Reid
• House Party (1983), the student short by Reginald Hudlin on which his feature is based
• Theatrical Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• An essay by author Michael Harriot
• Disc cover art by Gabe Tiberino