Questions
Is Cocaine Bear based on a true story?
Yes, reportedly. It is inspired by a real 1985 incident in which an American black bear consumed cocaine that had been dropped from a smuggler’s plane, though the movie invents the bloody rampage.
Who directed Cocaine Bear?
Elizabeth Banks directed the 2023 black comedy horror film. She described it as "that bear’s revenge story."
When did the movie come out?
Cocaine Bear was released on February 24, 2023.
What actually happened to the real bear?
Reportedly the real black bear ate cocaine from a duffel bag dropped by a smuggler and died of an overdose, and it was found months later. Unlike the film, it never went on any rampage.
How much cocaine did the real bear get into?
The bag reportedly held about 75 pounds (34 kg) of cocaine, and the bear was found roughly three months later alongside 40 opened plastic containers.
Who was the smuggler who dropped the drugs?
Reportedly the cocaine was dropped from a plane by pilot Andrew C. Thornton II, who himself died after his parachute failed.
Is the real bear nicknamed Pablo Escobear?
The taxidermied bear is displayed at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, Kentucky, where it was formally named "Cocaine Bear" in 2015. The "Pablo Escobear" nickname is a modern creation, not part of the historical record.
Who starred in Cocaine Bear?
The cast includes Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ray Liotta, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Kristofer Hivju.
Was this one of Ray Liotta’s last films?
Yes. Liotta played the villain Syd and died on May 26, 2022, after finishing his role. The film is dedicated to him.
Where was the movie filmed?
Although set in Georgia, it was filmed in County Wicklow, Ireland, between August and October 2021.
How was the bear brought to life on screen?
The visual effects studio Wētā FX created the CGI bear. Reportedly, performer Allan Henry acted out the bear on set using meter-long aluminum limb extensions.
How much did Cocaine Bear make at the box office?
Against a budget of about $30 to 35 million, it grossed roughly $90 million worldwide, including a $23.1 million opening weekend that finished second.
Who wrote the movie and who produced it?
The screenplay was written by Jimmy Warden, and producers included Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Brian Duffield, and Aditya Sood.
Did Cocaine Bear inspire any copycat movies?
Yes. Its success reportedly inspired mockbusters such as Meth Gator and Crackcoon, and a Japanese film was retitled Cocaine Shark to cash in on the buzz.
How did critics react to it?
Reception was mixed to positive, with a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic. Critic Richard Roeper called it a "wildly entertaining" B-movie.
