The Happytime Murders (2018)

When the puppet cast of a '90s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.

Director:

Brian Henson

Writers:

Todd Berger (screenplay by), Todd Berger (story by)

Stars:

Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph

2 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melissa McCarthy	...	Detective Connie Edwards
Elizabeth Banks	...	Jenny
Maya Rudolph	...	Bubbles
Leslie David Baker	...	Lt. Banning
Joel McHale	...	Agent Campbell
Cynthy Wu	...	Brittenie Marlowe
Michael McDonald	...	Ronovan Scargle
Mitch Silpa	...	Tommy
Hemky Madera	...	Tito
Benjamin Cole Royer	...	Rick
Brekkan Spens	...	Dick
Ryan Tran	...	Phil
Fortune Feimster	...	Robin
Brian Palermo	...	Paramedic (as Brian Joseph Palermo)
Damon Jones	...	Police Station Guard John / Puppet Doctor

Storyline

A murder mystery set in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, but puppets are viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an '90s children's TV show begins to get murdered one by one, a former cop, who has since become a private eye, takes on the case.

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Plot Keywords:

wisecrack humor | fictional drug | innocent bystander killed | married interspecies couple | reference to stevie ray vaughan | 

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Taglines:

Sex. Murder. Puppets.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong crude and sexual content and language throughout, and some drug material

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the puppets in the film are from past Henson productions, like Animal Show (1994) and Kermit's Swamp Years (2002).

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Goofs

When Edwards goes to speak to Phil after he was arrested, she states that the incident between Phil and Sandra's father happened 20 years ago. Later, during the scene at the airport, Phil states to Jenny that the incident was 12 years ago.

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Quotes

Phil Philips: If shit gets crazy I'm gonna go crazy as shit.

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Crazy Credits

A series of DVD covers scroll behind the end credits. Promotion stills for "The Happytime gang" Puppet Porn: Happytime playground, Puppet Pussy Playtime, Felt on Felt, etc. Advertising for Signage and photos for the cousins' BBQ Adam's Ribs Puppet Rights protest posters: Felt is Beautiful, etc news Clippings from Phil Phillips' police days PSAs warnings of Sugar Addiction

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Connections

Spoofs Goldfinger (1964)

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Soundtracks

Bring Your Love Back Home
Written by Tom Hirschmann and Scott Lean
Courtesy of BMG Production Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Suckit, Big Bird

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS is a silly buddy-cop, film-noir, puppet-porno. If Jim Henson's son doing naughty things to his father's toys is your thing, this is the comedy for you. The jokes range from mildy funny to "What the Hell did I just"... Not for the squeamish, there are several instances of explicit puppet on puppet/human action that will make you laugh as much as cringe. The mystery is intriguing, yet predictable. At first entertaining, the constant foul language does eventually become tiring. "I get it. Your puppets cuss." You leave having had some chuckles, but maybe in need of a good, hard bath. There is a fun behind-the-scenes, mid-credits blooper reel. The cast appears to have had more fun making it than you might have watching it. I give this a Solid, "Suckit, Big Bird" rating.

#TheHappyTimeMurders #GioseesMovies #RatedR

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Instagram

Country:

USA China Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Happytime Murders

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,532,425, 26 August 2018

Gross USA:

$20,706,452

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,506,452

Company Credits

Production Co:

STX Entertainment, Huayi Brothers Media, Black Bear Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1