Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Madea's Witness Protection

Madea's Witness Protection is a comedy film written, produced, and directed by , who stars in multiple roles including the tough-talking grandmother Mabel "Madea" . The story follows George Needleman (), a mild-mannered at a firm, who discovers his company's involvement in a mob-backed and is framed as the fall guy, leading him and his to enter federal witness protection at Madea's rural home under the watch of prosecutor Brian Simmons (). Released theatrically by on June 29, , the film features a diverse cast including as Kate Needleman, as Barbara, as Jake, Tom Arnold, , and , blending culture-clash humor with themes of family redemption and survival. Produced by with a budget of $20 million, it grossed $65.7 million domestically and $66.9 million worldwide, marking another commercial success in Perry's franchise despite mixed critical reception, with a 19% approval rating on based on 36 reviews.

Production

Development

Madea's Witness Protection marked a departure in the Madea franchise as the first installment with an original written directly for the screen by , rather than being adapted from one of his stage plays. Perry, who created the character in his 1999 stage play I Can Do Bad All by Myself, crafted this story to explore new narrative possibilities within the series. Production on the film was officially announced on January 31, 2012, signaling the start of under Perry's ongoing with . This partnership, which had already yielded multiple successful releases for the studio, facilitated the project's swift greenlighting. The movie was produced by and , combining Perry's independent production infrastructure with the distributor's resources. With an estimated of $20 million, exemplified Perry's efficient approach to low-to-mid-range comedies aimed at broad audiences. himself assumed the multifaceted roles of , , and , maintaining creative control throughout the phase. This hands-on involvement allowed for rapid development, aligning with Perry's track record of turning concepts into completed films within tight timelines.

Filming

Principal photography for Madea's Witness Protection commenced on January 30, 2012, and continued through March in Atlanta, Georgia, utilizing as the primary filming location. Specific sites included 1197 Avon Avenue SW for exterior shots of Madea's house and the Old National Discount Mall at 2660 Godby Road for additional scenes. The production employed digital cameras paired with Primo Anamorphic lenses, providing a 1.85:1 under cinematographer . This setup contributed to the film's visual style, consistent with Perry's directorial approach in prior entries. portrayed three distinct characters—matriarch , her brother Joe, and federal prosecutor Brian Simmons—requiring meticulous scheduling for scenes involving interactions among them, often filmed using split-screen techniques or sequential takes. The final running time of 114 minutes was established during .

Plot

George Needleman, a mild-mannered at a New York investment firm, discovers that his company is involved in a backed by the . When his boss frames him as the mastermind, federal prosecutor Brian Simmons relocates George and his dysfunctional family—wife Kate, rebellious daughter Cindy, tech-obsessed son Howie, and demanding mother Barbara—into at the rural home of Brian's aunt, Mabel "" Simmons, and uncle Joe. Initially clashing due to cultural differences, and help the Needlemans adjust. takes Cindy under her wing, teaching her self-respect, while encourages Kate to stand up to . bonds with 's grandson , who is struggling after losing funds invested in 's scheme. Inspired by a and the film , , , and devise a plan to recover 10% of the stolen funds for . Disguised as "Precious Jackson," travels to to transfer the money, secretly keeping a portion for herself. With 's testimony, the authorities dismantle the scheme, clearing his name. The family reunites stronger, paying off the church's mortgage with the recovered funds. They celebrate with Madea and the community, as Madea relaxes on her porch with her newfound wealth.

Cast

Release

Theatrical release

Madea's Witness Protection was released theatrically in the United States on June 29, 2012, by . The film received an MPAA rating of PG-13 for some crude sexual remarks and brief drug references. With a of $20 million, it was distributed widely across 2,161 theaters, capitalizing on expectations for strong opening weekend performance driven by Tyler Perry's established audience. The film's premiere took place in New York City on June 25, 2012, featuring red carpet arrivals of cast members including , , and . Initial marketing efforts emphasized Perry's signature humor and the culture-clash premise, with launching TV spots highlighting Madea's no-nonsense persona and promotional contests to engage fans. BET provided live coverage of the premiere, underscoring the campaign's focus on Perry's core demographic of African American viewers and loyal Madea enthusiasts. This release marked another collaboration under Perry's ongoing with , which had previously distributed successful entries in the franchise and built a reliable for Perry's theatrical projects. The studio's strategy targeted urban markets and multiplexes, leveraging Perry's track record to ensure broad accessibility for his fanbase.

Home media

Madea's Witness Protection was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Home Entertainment on October 23, 2012. The home video editions included various special features, such as the featurettes "Tyler Perry: Multi Hats & Costumes," "Thank yer, Heller: Impersonating the Maid," "The World of ," "The Needlemans," and "A Salute to ," along with bloopers, deleted scenes, and an audio commentary track by director . As of November 2025, the film is available for rent or purchase on platforms including , , and at Home, and for subscription streaming on services such as MGM+ and .

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Madea's Witness Protection received predominantly negative reviews from critics, who often highlighted its reliance on familiar tropes and uneven execution. On , the film holds a 19% approval rating based on 36 critic reviews, with an average score of 3.3/10. The site's consensus describes it as a "broad and predictable comedy that relies too heavily on Tyler Perry's Madea persona at the expense of fresh ideas." Similarly, assigns it a score of 42 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reception. Critics frequently criticized the film's formulaic plot and over-reliance on Perry's drag performance as , viewing it as a tired extension of his established formula. For instance, Alison Willmore of Movieline noted the "fatigued reluctance" in Perry's portrayal, suggesting the character and narrative had grown stale. Reviews also pointed to racial stereotypes in the fish-out-of-water setup, where a white family integrates into 's world, with of calling it a "tired routine" that leaned on outdated clownish imagery and race-based humor without innovation. of acknowledged a few amusing lines, such as 's /waffle , but ultimately graded it a D+, faulting the overall lack of sustained laughs. On a more positive note, some reviewers praised the film's family-friendly comedy and the comedic chemistry involving supporting performances, particularly Eugene Levy's role as the hapless banker George Needleman. S. Jhoanna Robledo of highlighted Levy as "predictably hilarious," especially in scenes riffing on -style romance tropes with . Despite these elements, the blend of , sermons, and topical references to financial scandals was often seen as poorly integrated, with Calum of offering faint praise for its "open-hearted appeal" amid the chaos but still rating it low overall. Audience reception was more favorable, earning an A− grade from polls conducted in theaters. This contrast underscores the film's polarizing nature, appealing to fans of Perry's broad humor while alienating those seeking more sophisticated execution.

Box office

Madea's Witness Protection debuted at the top of the North American , grossing $25.39 million in its opening weekend across 2,161 theaters. The film earned a total of $65.65 million domestically and $66.9 million worldwide, surpassing its $20 million . International earnings were minimal at approximately $1.25 million, making the performance predominantly domestic-driven. This strong debut was fueled by director and star Tyler Perry's dedicated fanbase, especially among , though attendance dropped sharply thereafter, with a 59.9% decline in the second weekend.

Accolades

Madea's Witness Protection received five nominations at the , held on February 23, 2013, which satirically recognize the worst achievements in film from the previous year. The nominations were for Worst Remake, Rip-off or Sequel; Worst Actress ( as ); Worst Screen Couple ( and his drag persona as ); Worst Screen Ensemble; and Worst Director (, shared with ). The film did not win any , with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 taking the majority of the "honors," including Worst Picture. In addition to these satirical nods, the film's score earned a positive recognition when composer won the Film & TV Award for his work on the soundtrack.

References

  1. [1]
    Madea's Witness Protection - Tyler Perry Studios
    Facing criminal charges and death threats from the mob, George and his entire family are put under witness protection in the safest place that Brian, a federal ...
  2. [2]
    Madea's Witness Protection - Box Office Mojo
    Grosses ; Jul 3 · Tuesday, 5, $2,640,963, +11.4% ; Jul 4. Independence Day. Wednesday, 4, $3,123,348, +18.3% ...
  3. [3]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 19% (36) Original Language: English. Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 2012, Wide. Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2014. Box Office (Gross USA): $65.6M. Runtime: 1h 54m.
  4. [4]
    Exclusive: Tyler Perry Talks Madea's Witness Protection
    Jun 27, 2012 · Madea's Witness Protection is your first Madea film that is not based on a stage play but written originally for the screen. What was it ...
  5. [5]
    Tyler Perry's Madea Series - Lionsgate
    TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL Official Trailer. TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION Official Trailer #1. TYLER PERRY'S A MADEA CHRISTMAS Official ...
  6. [6]
    “Madea's Witness Protection” Goes Into Production
    Jan 31, 2012 · ... Tyler Perry, today announced the commencement of production of MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION. The film marks the prolific filmmaker and multi ...Missing: original | Show results with:original
  7. [7]
    LIONSGATE ENTERS WITNESS PROTECTION WITH TYLER PERRY
    Jan 30, 2012 · Perry wrote the script, is directing and producing the film, and will reprise three of his best loved roles – as tough talking grandma Madea, as ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection (2012) - The Numbers
    Magic Mike and Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection were close behind with $13,354 and $11,749. ... All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay ...
  9. [9]
    Tyler Perry Plans Madea's Witness Protection - ComingSoon.net
    Jan 31, 2012 · Perry wrote the script and will again direct, produce and star as Madea, Madea's indelicate cousin Joe, and as plain-spoken attorney Brian, who ...
  10. [10]
    Tyler Perry, Lionsgate Partner on Another Madea Movie - Variety
    Nov 3, 2016 · A Madea Halloween,” which has made $56.5 million domestically on a $20 million budget. Perry has been a staple of Lionsgate's slates, with the ...
  11. [11]
    Madea's Witness Protection (2012) - Filming & production - IMDb
    Filming locations · 1197 Avon Avenue SW, Atlanta, Georgia, USA · Old National Discount Mall, 2660 Godby Road, Atlanta, Georgia, USA · Manhattan, New York City, New ...
  12. [12]
    Madea's Witness Protection (2012) - ShotOnWhat
    Jun 14, 2019 · Madea's Witness Protection was shot on digital using ARRI ALEXA cameras and Panavision Primo Anamorphic Lenses, with Alexander Gruszynski as ...
  13. [13]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Variety
    Jun 29, 2012 · MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 114 MIN. With: Madea/Joe/Brian - Tyler Perry George Needleman - Eugene Levy Kate Needleman - Denise Richards ...
  14. [14]
    Lionsgate Enters WITNESS PROTECTION With Tyler Perry
    Jan 31, 2012 · Lionsgate and Tyler Perry have announced the commencement of production of MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION. The film marks the prolific filmmaker ...Missing: original | Show results with:original
  15. [15]
  16. [16]
    Premiere of 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection'
    Tyler Perry attends the premiere of "Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection" on Monday, June 25, 2012, in New York.
  17. [17]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection (2012) - 'Protect' TV Spot #1
    Jun 12, 2012 · Get Tickets for Tyler Perry's Acrimony Now: http://lions.gt/acrimonytixat Tyler Perry returns as America's favorite brash, no-holds-barred ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  18. [18]
    BET.com to Air Live Coverage of Madea's Witness Protection Premiere
    Jun 22, 2012 · We'll have all the celebrity arrivals, including the film's director and star, Tyler Perry, along with his supporting cast mates Eugene Levy, ...Missing: campaign | Show results with:campaign
  19. [19]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Blu-ray.com
    Rating 2/10 Oct 28, 2012 · Madea's Witness Protection Blu-ray Release Date October 23, 2012 ... Lionsgate Home Entertainment is releasing Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness ...
  20. [20]
    TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION
    Tyler Perry ("Madea") and Eugene Levy ("George") star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION.<|control11|><|separator|>
  21. [21]
    Tyler Perry's 'Madea's Witness Protection' On Blu-ray, DVD, VOD ...
    Tyler Perry's 'Madea's Witness Protection' On Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, Digital Download On October 23. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has announced that release Tyler ...
  22. [22]
    Amazon.com: Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - DVD
    This edition contains great special features, including a look at how Perry ``does'' Madea; the world of Madea; a look at the Needlemans; and a salute to Madea ...
  23. [23]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Prime Video
    A witness to a mafia scheme seeks refuge at Madea's house, where she gets entangled with his troubled family. 8,650. 1 h 54 min2012PG-13.
  24. [24]
  25. [25]
  26. [26]
  27. [27]
    Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection Movie Review
    Rating 2.0 · Review by S. Jhoanna RobledoGenre : Comedy; Topics : Cooking , Family Stories; Run time : 114 minutes; MPAA rating : PG-13; MPAA explanation : some crude sexual remarks and brief drug ...
  28. [28]
    BOX OFFICE: Hobbit Opens Weak, Tyler Perry Has Worst Madea ...
    [Audiences] awarded the movie an “A-” CinemaScore, which is off from the first movie's “A” score. ... Madea's Witness Protection opened to $25.4 ... CinemaScore ...
  29. [29]
    Madea's Witness Protection (2012) - IMDb
    Rating 5/10 (11,832) Madea's Witness Protection: Directed by Tyler Perry. With Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards, Doris Roberts. A Wall Street investment banker who has ...
  30. [30]
    'Madea's Witness Protection' is Tyler Perry's first stab at summer
    Jun 28, 2012 · The question for Tyler Perry and Lionsgate is whether “Madea” and her newly diverse supporting cast will be a draw for those casual moviegoers.
  31. [31]
    Tyler Perry scores multiple nominations for worst movie 'Razzies'
    Jan 9, 2013 · Tyler Perry scores multiple nominations for worst movie 'Razzies' ... Madea's Witness Protection was nominated in five different categories:.
  32. [32]
    'Twilight,' 'That's My Boy,' Tyler Perry Lead Razzie Nominations
    Jan 9, 2013 · Madea's Witness Protection was also noted for Worst Screen Ensemble, Worst Director (a nomination that also included Perry's work on Good Deeds) ...
  33. [33]
    Razzies: 'Breaking Dawn Part 2' Is the Big 'Winner' - People.com
    Feb 23, 2013 · Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Adam Sandler and Rihanna are among the “winners” of the 33rd annual Golden Raspberry Awards – the Razzies.
  34. [34]
    Cliff Martinez and Top Composers Honored at the 2013 BMI Film ...
    May 16, 2013 · Madea's Witness Protection. STEVE ... Clint Black to be Honored with BMI Icon Award at the 73rd Annual BMI Country Awards on November 18 ...