Trailer

The Fight

Runtime
1hr 36mins
Directed by
Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, Eli Despres
Featuring
Brigitte Amiri, Joshua Block, Chase Strangio
Body

Through our Virtual Screening Room, you can rent films curated by the Coolidge team, while helping to support the Coolidge during this unprecedented time.

Only days after the 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump, furious Americans gathered at airports across the country in protest of the Muslim ban. But it was the efforts of the American Civil Liberties Union, waging the fight in federal court, that turned the tide, staying the executive order on grounds of unconstitutionality. The ACLU has never granted access to its offices, even as its battles—on the fronts of abortion rights, immigration rights, LGBTQ rights, and voting rights—have become more timely and momentous than ever.

With The Fight, access has finally been granted to the filmmaking team of Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, and Elyse Steinberg, makers of 2016’s award-winning Weiner. Rousing, inspiring, and slyly humorous, their latest documentary follows four seismically important cases and a handful of magnetic attorneys. These lawyers may not know how to charge a cell phone or operate a stand-up desk but have persuaded Supreme Court Justices, beating back serious encroachments upon our freedoms. An antidote to endless news cycles filled with tweet tantrums, The Fight inspires with the story of front-line warriors in the battle for the American soul.

watch now

Plus, on Sunday, August 2 at 7:00pm ET, join Magnolia Pictures for a special live Q&A with the filmmakers (Elyse Steinberg, Eli Despres, and Josh Kreigman) and the five ACLU lawyers featured in the film (Brigitte Amiri, Lee Gelernt, Dale Ho, Joshua Block and Chase Strangio) moderated by Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post. Learn more here.

Every new release we offer will be available through the individual distributor's websites and streaming services. You'll be taken to their websites to purchase and watch the film, but a portion of your ticket will help support the Coolidge. Having technical issues? Visit our FAQ page here.

This Week

  • From filmmaker Mona Fastvold (The Brutalist) comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, starring Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried. 

    Showtimes
  • The new film from Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World), starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning.

    Showtimes
  • From Academy Award winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley, and Paul Mescal. 

    Showtimes
  • Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards.

    Showtimes
  • A frisky, feminine, film noir about psychoanalysis and many other things… 

    Showtimes
  • The new film from director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Decision to Leave) and based on Donald E. Westlake's novel The Ax

    Showtimes
  • Winner, Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, 2025 Venice Film Festival

    Showtimes
  • From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers.

    Showtimes
  • Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. 

    Showtimes
  • A rising pop star navigates the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut.

    Showtimes
  • Stanley Kramer's ground-breaking film starring Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier... 

    Showtimes
  • Screenwriter Owen Egerton will join us in-person to introduce the Saturday, February 7 screening.

    Showtimes
  • Conjure up your deepest, darkest fear... now call that fear to life.

    Showtimes
  • sholay

    Conceived as the biggest action-adventure film ever made in India, Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 “Curry Western” remains a towering landmark in film history. 

    Showtimes
  • A one-person illusion show that features unique theatrical and visual magic and comedy to a custom-edited musical soundtrack.

    Showtimes
  • Featuring guests from the Huntington's production of We Had a World, playing from February 12 to March 15, 2026.

    Showtimes
  • The debut feature from filmmaker Harry Lighton, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling.

    Showtimes
  • Boston's one and only open mic night for filmmakers!

    Showtimes
  • In this course, we’ll sweep through the history of American journalists on film, as taught by Judi Freeman.

    Showtimes
  • It's either love or war between Sam and Tess...and they're good at both!

    Showtimes
  • Pre-film seminar by Sarah Keller, professor of art and director of cinema studies at UMass Boston.

    Showtimes
  • LOVE DOESN'T ASK QUESTIONS... it takes what it wants!

    Showtimes