Blue Collar_
""Blue Collar" is the American Dream. If you're rich, you can buy it. If you're anything else, you gotta fight for it."
Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Filmin
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Blue Collar earned $6.5M worldwide on a $1.7M budget — a 284% return on investment.
Paul Schrader →
Year context
Blue Collar was released 48 years ago in 1978.
CAST (20)
Richard Pryor
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Harvey Keitel
Jerry Bartowski
Yaphet Kotto
Sam 'Smokey' James
Ed Begley Jr.
Bobby Joe
Harry Bellaver
Eddie Johnson
George Memmoli
Jenkins
Lucy Saroyan
Arlene Bartowski
Lane Smith
Clarence Hill
Cliff DeYoung
John Burrows
BS
Borah Silver
Dogshit Miller
Chip Fields
Caroline Brown
Harry Northup
Hank
Leonard Gaines
I.R.S. Man
Milton Selzer
Sumabitch
SW
Sammy Warren
Barney
JM
Jimmy Martinez
Charlie T. Hernandez
JD
Jerry Dahlmann
Superintendent
DA
Denny Arnold
Unshaven Thug
Rock Riddle
Blond Thug
SB
Stacey Baldwin
Debby Bartowski
CREW
BOX OFFICE
$1.7M
Budget
$6.5M
Revenue
+284%
ROI
BLOCKBUSTER
Verdict
STUDIOS (2)
TAT Communications Company
Universal Pictures
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
114 min (1h 54m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.3/10 (190 votes)
Popularity
4
Budget
$1,700,000
Box Office
$6,521,083
Profit
+$4,821,083
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Blue Collar about?
Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.
How long is Blue Collar?
Blue Collar has a runtime of 114 minutes (1h 54m).
Who directed Blue Collar?
Blue Collar was directed by Paul Schrader.
Who stars in Blue Collar?
The cast of Blue Collar includes Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Bellaver.
How much did Blue Collar make at the box office?
Blue Collar earned $6,521,083 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $1,700,000.
What is the rating of Blue Collar?
Blue Collar has a rating of 7.3 out of 10 based on 190 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Drama
Crime
KEYWORDS (10)
factory worker
robbery
blackmail
drinking
union
detroit, michigan
blue collar worker
vending machine
car factory
assembly line