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IMDbPro

Ruthless People

  • 19861986
  • RR
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
29K
YOUR RATING
Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, and Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)
A couple, cheated by a vile businessman, kidnap his wife in retaliation, without knowing that their enemy is delighted they did.
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
81 Photos
ComedyCrime
A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
29K
YOUR RATING
    • Jim Abrahams
    • David Zucker
    • Jerry Zucker
    • Dale Launer
    • O. Henry(story "The Ransom of Red Chief")
  • Stars
    • Bette Midler
    • Danny DeVito
    • Judge Reinhold
    • Jim Abrahams
    • David Zucker
    • Jerry Zucker
    • Dale Launer
    • O. Henry(story "The Ransom of Red Chief")
  • Stars
    • Bette Midler
    • Danny DeVito
    • Judge Reinhold
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 95User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos81

    Richard Dreyfuss, Bette Midler, and Nick Nolte in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
    Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Helen Slater, Judge Reinhold, and Anita Morris in Ruthless People (1986)
    Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)
    Frank Sivero in Ruthless People (1986)
    Judge Reinhold in Ruthless People (1986)
    Judge Reinhold in Ruthless People (1986)
    Ruthless People (1986)
    Judge Reinhold in Ruthless People (1986)
    Bill Pullman in Ruthless People (1986)
    Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)
    Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)
    Danny DeVito and Anita Morris in Ruthless People (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bette Midler
    Bette Midler
    • Barbara Stone
    Danny DeVito
    Danny DeVito
    • Sam Stone
    Judge Reinhold
    Judge Reinhold
    • Ken Kessler
    Helen Slater
    Helen Slater
    • Sandy Kessler
    Anita Morris
    Anita Morris
    • Carol
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Earl
    William G. Schilling
    William G. Schilling
    • Police Commissioner
    Art Evans
    Art Evans
    • Lt. Bender
    Clarence Felder
    • Lt. Walters
    J.E. Freeman
    J.E. Freeman
    • Bedroom Killer
    Gary Riley
    Gary Riley
    • Heavy Metal Kid
    Phyllis Applegate
    Phyllis Applegate
    • Loan Officer
    Jeannine Bisignano
    Jeannine Bisignano
    • Hooker in Car
    J.P. Bumstead
    • Technician
    Jon Cutler
    • Stereo Store Customer
    Susan Marie Snyder
    Susan Marie Snyder
    • Stereo Store Customer
    Jim Doughan
    • Cop at Sam's House
    Christopher J. Keene
    • Cop at Jail
      • Jim Abrahams
      • David Zucker
      • Jerry Zucker
      • Dale Launer
      • O. Henry(story "The Ransom of Red Chief") (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bette Midler claims that Danny DeVito called her twice after the premiere of this film: once to congratulate her, and a second time, 20 minutes later, during which he and Midler both broke down in a nervous frenzy over how terrible the movie was, and how their careers were over. The film went on to become a box-office smash.
    • Goofs
      When Barbara tries to escape, she throws a coffee mug at Ken, hitting his nose. You can see the plexiglass in front of Ken reflecting light on his shirt. Also, slowing down the frames, before the mug hits Ken, you can clearly see the cut mark already painted on his nose before the mug hits him.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Bender: [over a bullhorn] GIVE THE BAG TO BOZO, DROP THE GUN, AND PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR.

      Earl Mott: Who said that?

      Lt. Walters: [to Lt. Bender] This could very well be the stupidest person on the face of the earth. Perhaps we should shoot him.

      Lt. Bender: [over the bullhorn] IT'S THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

      Earl Mott: Really?

      Lt. Bender: NO! WE'RE THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION!

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits are shown in neon colors and shapes, in split screen, with the other part of the screen depicting various methods of knocking someone off.
    • Connections
      Edited into Funny or Die Presents...: Fifty Shades of DeVito (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Ruthless People Theme
      Performed by Mick Jagger
      Written by Daryl Hall, David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart) and Mick Jagger

    User reviews95

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Great comedy!
    Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater all mixed and matched perfectly in this film about one loud and obnoxious woman. Hilarious in its implementation, the way the lives of the characters unfold in a funny and unpredictable manner. If you haven't seen this classic comedy, then get a whiff of this film, just to see the genius of DeVito and Midler in their primes. While the humor may be a little dated, it still offers some fairly clean fun for all to enjoy.
    helpful•20
    5
    • Agent10
    • Aug 13, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 1986 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 10690 Somma Way - Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Films
      • Silver Screen Partners II
      • Zucker Brothers Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 33 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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    Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, and Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)
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