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Drop Dead Fred

  • 1991
  • AL
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
32K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,853
116
Phoebe Cates and Rik Mayall in Drop Dead Fred (1991)
Dark ComedySlapstickComedyDramaFantasy

A young woman finds her already unstable life rocked by the presence of a rambunctious imaginary friend from childhood.A young woman finds her already unstable life rocked by the presence of a rambunctious imaginary friend from childhood.A young woman finds her already unstable life rocked by the presence of a rambunctious imaginary friend from childhood.

  • Director
    • Ate de Jong
  • Writers
    • Elizabeth Livingston
    • Carlos Davis
    • Anthony Fingleton
  • Stars
    • Phoebe Cates
    • Rik Mayall
    • Marsha Mason
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    32K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,853
    116
    • Director
      • Ate de Jong
    • Writers
      • Elizabeth Livingston
      • Carlos Davis
      • Anthony Fingleton
    • Stars
      • Phoebe Cates
      • Rik Mayall
      • Marsha Mason
    • 226User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 25Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Drop Dead Fred
    Trailer 0:31
    Drop Dead Fred

    Photos147

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Phoebe Cates
    Phoebe Cates
    • Elizabeth
    Rik Mayall
    Rik Mayall
    • Drop Dead Fred
    Marsha Mason
    Marsha Mason
    • Polly
    Tim Matheson
    Tim Matheson
    • Charles
    Carrie Fisher
    Carrie Fisher
    • Janie
    Keith Charles
    • Murray
    Ashley Peldon
    Ashley Peldon
    • Young Elizabeth
    Daniel Gerroll
    Daniel Gerroll
    • Nigel
    Ron Eldard
    Ron Eldard
    • Mickey Bunce
    Eleanor Mondale
    Eleanor Mondale
    • Attractive Customer
    Bob Reid
    • Judge Dubben
    Peter Thoemke
    Peter Thoemke
    • Arsonist
    Sjoukje De Jong Douma
    • Grandma Bunce
    Paul Holmes
    Paul Holmes
    • Man in Speedboat
    Steve Cochran
    Steve Cochran
    • Waiter #1
    Robert Meyzen
    • Waiter #2
    Daniel Buchen
    • Doctor Ryland
    Marie Mathay
    • Concerned Mom
    • Director
      • Ate de Jong
    • Writers
      • Elizabeth Livingston
      • Carlos Davis
      • Anthony Fingleton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene where Polly tapes up the jack in the box containing Fred was based off an actual incident that happened to a friend of co-writer/executive producer Carlos Davis named Steve Burnette. Burnette's mother Gloria had an imaginary friend when she was a little girl. But the girl's mother couldn't stand the fact that her daughter had an imaginary friend. It finally got to the point to where the Gloria's mother took her imaginary friend and flushed it down the toilet. This incident traumatized her for three years.
    • Goofs
      When Elizabeth and Fred are on the boat she asks Fred, "What is that water doing there?" He replies, "I don't know," but his mouth is saying something else.
    • Quotes

      Fred: [Looking up Polly's skirt] Wow.

      [Looks at Elizabeth and points up]

      Fred: Cobwebs.

    • Connections
      Featured in Motormouth: Episode #4.7 (1991)

    User reviews226

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    An Excellent Film

    I'm mystified at why some people consider this film "mediocre". Yes, Fred is an annoying ass, but the story requires him to be this way. I think those who "get" this film understand the complexities of the film's premise, retreat into fantasy isn't healthy but sometimes it's the only refuge a person has, Fred is as destructive as he is supportive but every annoying action requires the Phoebe Cates character to strengthen her own boundaries and sense of purpose.

    Okay, I don't want to sound like Doctor Joyce Brothers, just find it ironic that what some people don't like about this film is what distinguishes it from the usual Hollywood bull***t, Fred isn't cute and cuddly, that would have been false, imagine Robin Williams as Fred...that film would be a complete waste of time.
    • sparky-76
    • Aug 28, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1991 (Netherlands)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fred ¡Esfúmate!
    • Filming locations
      • Paisley Park Studios - 7801 Audubon Road, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA
    • Production companies
      • PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,788,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,878,334
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,625,648
      • May 27, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,884,358
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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