The 1995 Comedy 50 Cent Calls His All-Time Favorite—and the Duo That “Cracks Me Up” Every Time

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has worn many hats over his two-decade career: rapper, songwriter, television producer, actor, and entrepreneur. From his early days in South Jamaica, Queens, to becoming a global entertainment force, he’s seen — and starred in — his fair share of movies. But when it comes to naming his all-time favourite film, the Grammy-winning artist doesn’t hesitate.

Nearly 20 years after making his screen debut in Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent has appeared in 28 films, most often in action-packed thrillers. You might expect his personal tastes to lean toward high-octane shootouts or tense crime dramas. Even his recent appearance in the gory comedy-horror Skill House might suggest a taste for the darker side of cinema. But 50 Cent’s choice is far from violent — and firmly in the realm of laughter.

Speaking in Cindy Pearlman’s 2007 book You Gotta See This, 50 Cent declared, “If I had to pick my favourite one, I love Friday.”

The 1995 cult classic, directed by F. Gary Gray, stars Ice Cube and Chris Tucker as two friends navigating an unexpectedly chaotic day in South Central Los Angeles. Known for its laid-back stoner humour, sharp one-liners, and slice-of-life authenticity, Friday has long been beloved by fans for capturing the everyday absurdities of neighbourhood life.

“I could sit down and watch it right now. I could watch it anytime,” 50 Cent said. “That movie makes me laugh.”

For him, the magic lies in the effortless chemistry between Ice Cube’s straight-man cool and Chris Tucker’s fast-talking eccentricity. “I just love how Ice Cube and Chris Tucker get themselves in and out of so much trouble,” he explained. The pair’s misadventures — from scrambling to pay a $200 debt to dodging gang members and eccentric neighbours — are, to 50 Cent, comedic gold.

“It cracks me up to watch them interact,” he added, singling out Tucker for special praise: “No disrespect to Cube, but Chris Tucker is my man. He’s such an incredible comedian. Just the looks on his face — I’m gonna laugh just thinking about it.”

While Friday spawned two sequels, Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002), neither captured the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of the original, especially without Tucker’s return. Still, for 50 Cent, the first film remains untouchable — a timeless comedy he’ll gladly revisit any day of the week.

If you want, I can also prepare a punchier, entertainment-magazine style version with a more conversational hook to make it pop for digital audiences.