Movie
In the Heat of the Night
They got a murder on their hands. They don’t know what to do with it.
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
In the Heat of the Night is available to stream on Fawesome, Hoopla, Kanopy, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and YouTube in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Google Play. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
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Synopsis
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
More about In the Heat of the Night
Cast
Sidney PoitierVirgil Tibbs
Rod SteigerPolice Chief Bill Gillespie
Warren OatesDeputy Sam Wood
Peter WhitneyDeputy Courtney
Lee GrantMrs. Leslie Colbert
Anthony JamesRalph
William SchallertMayor Schubert
Scott WilsonHarvey OberstCredits
- Directed by
- Norman Jewison
- Written by
- Stirling Silliphant, John Ball
Production details
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- English
- Collection
- Virgil Tibbs Trilogy
- Budget
- $2M
- Box office
- $27.4M
Production
United ArtistsUnited States- The Mirisch CompanyUnited States
Themes
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