Problem Child (1990)

A young boy is just short of a monster. He is adopted by a loving man and his wacky wife. The laughs keep coming as the boy pushes them to the limits.

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers:

Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski

Stars:

John Ritter, Jack Warden, Michael Oliver

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ritter	...	Ben
Jack Warden	...	Big Ben
Michael Oliver	...	Junior
Gilbert Gottfried	...	Mr. Peabody
Amy Yasbeck	...	Flo
Michael Richards	...	Martin Beck
Peter Jurasik	...	Roy
Charlotte Akin	...	Lorraine
Anna Marie Allred	...	Kid #3
Adam Anderly	...	Catcher
Robert A. Anderson	...	Boy in Chair
Cody Beard	...	2nd Baseman
Jordan Burton	...	Kid #1
Eli Cummins	...	Umpire
John S. Davies	...	Paramedic

Storyline

A young boy is just short of a monster. He is adopted by a loving man and his wacky wife. The laughs keep coming as the boy pushes them to the limits.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | serial killer | camping | camping trip | bow tie | 

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Taglines:

He's So Bad, Even The Nuns Refused To Keep Him!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 July 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Adorable criatura

Filming Locations:

955 N Galloway Ave, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$53,470,900 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The doll that Junior takes the bow-tie from in the orphanage is a "My Buddy" doll that is missing its striped shirt and tennis shoes. When sold in stores, the doll never originally came with a bow-tie.

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Goofs

At the last scene on the bridge, after Ben got shot, you can see the wheel of the overturned car turning in some frames and then be completely still the next, and then moving again a few seconds later.

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Quotes

Junior: Hey, Martin! Let's go see the bearded lady.
Martin: No, I've seen too many of them in prison.

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Connections

Spoofs The Exorcist (1973)

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Soundtracks

"BAD TO THE BONE"
Written and Performed by George Thorogood
Courtesy of Capitol Records
By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

Yeah, it's horrible, but what are you gonna do?

Problem Child is one of those movies that you feel bad about liking. I first saw this movie when I was 8 and thought it was hilarious back then, and every now and then I catch it on TV and it still cracks me up. The beauty of this movie is that it wallows in it's wretchedness and awfulness. The humor is so low-brow and tasteless. I have absolutely no respect for this movie. But it's funny! There are so many classic, hilarious scenes that have been ripped off by other films. Michael Oliver was great in the first two Problem Child flicks, I wonder what ever became of him. He is truly the center of this film. He's not a cute kid -- He's ugly. He's foul mouthed and he's a brat (did I mention he hates clowns?). You can't help but watch this movie with a grin on your face. Some movies can't be held up to such high-standards. You cannot compare a Big-Mac to Filet-Mignon. They are both tasty, but they are of two different worlds. Just enjoy Problem Child for what it is: a good way to kill a Sunday afternoon.

P.S. Does anyone else see some odd resemblances between Junior and Chucky the killer doll from the Child's Play flicks?