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Ernest Scared Stupid

  • 1991
  • PG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Jim Varney in Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer0:30
1 Video
99+ Photos
FarceComedyFamilyFantasyHorror

Ernest accidentally unleashes an ugly troll that plots to transform children into wooden dolls in the town of Briarville, Missouri.Ernest accidentally unleashes an ugly troll that plots to transform children into wooden dolls in the town of Briarville, Missouri.Ernest accidentally unleashes an ugly troll that plots to transform children into wooden dolls in the town of Briarville, Missouri.

  • Director
    • John R. Cherry III
  • Writers
    • John R. Cherry III
    • Coke Sams
    • Charles Gale
  • Stars
    • Jim Varney
    • Eartha Kitt
    • Austin Nagler
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John R. Cherry III
    • Writers
      • John R. Cherry III
      • Coke Sams
      • Charles Gale
    • Stars
      • Jim Varney
      • Eartha Kitt
      • Austin Nagler
    • 75User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
    • 38Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:30
    Trailer

    Photos140

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    Top cast72

    Edit
    Jim Varney
    Jim Varney
    • Ernest P. Worrell
    Eartha Kitt
    Eartha Kitt
    • Old Lady Hackmore
    Austin Nagler
    • Kenny Binder
    Shay Astar
    Shay Astar
    • Elizabeth
    Jonas Moscartolo
    Jonas Moscartolo
    • Trantor
    John Cadenhead
    • Tom Tulip
    Bill Byrge
    • Bobby Tulip
    Richard Woolf
    • Matt Murdock
    Nick Victory
    • Mike Murdock
    Alec Klapper
    • Joey
    Steven Moriyon
    • Gregg
    Daniel Butler
    • Sheriff Cliff Binder
    Esther Huston
    • Amanda
    Larry Black
    • Mayor Murdock
    Denice Hicks
    • Elizabeth's Mother
    Melanie Wheeler
    • Crying Woman
    Jackie Welch
    Jackie Welch
    • Teacher
    Mark Delabarre
    Mark Delabarre
    • Jimmy
    • Director
      • John R. Cherry III
    • Writers
      • John R. Cherry III
      • Coke Sams
      • Charles Gale
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews75

    5.813.4K
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    Featured reviews

    Op_Prime

    Best Ernest movie

    This was the best Ernest movie of all. Jim Varney shines as the bumbling fool Ernest P. Worrell. The story basically has Ernest waking up a troll, who kidnaps and turns children to wood for his evil plans. Ernest must catch what he let out. Of course that ensures much mayhem and laughter (especially that giant bear trap). The plot resembles an old horror film but it works for Ernest. My opinion on the kids is, they help the plot work and make sense but got kind of annoying. The real reason to see this movie is to see what foolish thing Ernest does next. Overall a good film.
    9Iammymothersdaughter2

    Ernest P. fights off "booger-lipped" bad guys. . .

    O.K. so this movie probably wasn't nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay. Or best of anything else for that matter. And the film is what most folks would term "stupid" humor. So I like "stupid" humor, so sue me. Jim Varney's creation of characters like Ernest and the myriad others he pulled out of seeming thin air, in my opinion speak volumes of his talent and creativity. Sometimes it's enough just to be entertained with belly laughs and not stop and analyze every single line of dialog. If you're the intellectual type, don't bother with this movie, it'll go way over your head, or under your radar screen one. But if you're an otherwise intelligent and reasonably good humored person, and especially if you're looking for something that is decidedly NOT a gut-yanking, eyeball popping, gorey screamfest to watch with your kids on Halloween, this is a fun and easy on the brain flick.
    9antimarcc

    pure ernest

    Okay, I'll be the first to admit that the Ernest films aren't exactly Oscar-caliber movies... okay, they aren't even good movies by most peoples standards. BUT, the Ernest P. Worrell movies sure are fun, something that you can just let go and laugh at.

    Ernest Scared Stupid is my favorite of these movies. It may be just because I used to watch it all the time when I was like 12 years old, but either way, I still like it. Right from the credits you can tell it is going to be hilarious. The troll makeup and costumes are very well done for an Ernest movie, and it keeps you entertained all the way through. I'm 20 years old and I can still watch this one until the very end. The real question is, when is somebody going to get off of their ass and put the late, great Jim Varney's entire Ernest collection out on DVD?

    We're waiting... I know I'm not alone here... right?
    8pmtelefon

    I watch this one every year.

    "Ernest Scared Stupid" has been a part of my Halloween movie rotation for many years. I saw this movie in the theater (Fresh Meadows, NY). I liked it then and I still like it now. It has a lot of laughs. It has a nice story with characters you care about. Its monsters are pretty scary/pretty gross. Jim Varney was one of kind. I wouldn't call him a comic genius but he comes pretty close. He created a character that is as warm as he is funny. Ernest P. Worrell is always a welcome watch in my house.
    7JakeRfilmfreak

    I didn't have four fathers! I only had one father and I didn't know him that well

    Ernest Scared stupid is my second favorite film in the Ernest series. Right behind Goes To Camp, Scared Stupid is an absolute comedy classic from my childhood. Jim Varney is a comedic legend and with director John Cherry created some of the most entertaining movies that are not only hilarious, but fun for the whole family.

    The plot revolves around Ernest awakening an evil troll who goes after the neighborhood children, and it's up to Ernest and the kids to stop him.

    The story is a little darker than most Ernest movies but packs just as much laughter as the rest in the series. It's a nice horror movie for kids and If you're a fan of Jim and the Ernest character, then you'll love this film.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The pizzas seen being thrown at the bullies who try to attack the kids' tree house are re-used props from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991). Both movies had the same prop master, Doug White.
    • Goofs
      The little girl that Trantor the troll is chasing at the beginning of the movie, smiles even though she's supposed to be screaming in terror.
    • Quotes

      Ernest P. Worrell: How 'bout a bumper sandwich, Boogerlips?

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits feature public domain horror movies with Ernest reacting to them.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Other People's Money/Ernest Scared Stupid/City of Hope/Life Is Sweet (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Hallelujah Chorus
      from "The Messiah"

      Composed by George Frideric Handel

      Arranged by Louis Knatchbull

      Courtesy of Associated Production Music

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Ernest Scared Stupid?Powered by Alexa
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    • What film is the castle clip seen during the intro from?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 11, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ernest contra los trolls
    • Filming locations
      • East Nashville, Tennessee, USA(downtown Briarville)
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Touchwood Pacific Partners 1
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,600,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,143,280
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,453,132
      • Oct 14, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,143,280
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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