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IMDbPro

Ruthless People

  • 1986
  • R
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
32K
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
94 Photos
Dark ComedySatireComedyCrime

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.

  • Directors
    • Jim Abrahams
    • David Zucker
    • Jerry Zucker
  • Writers
    • Dale Launer
    • O. Henry
  • Stars
    • Bette Midler
    • Danny DeVito
    • Judge Reinhold
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    32K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Jim Abrahams
      • David Zucker
      • Jerry Zucker
    • Writers
      • Dale Launer
      • O. Henry
    • Stars
      • Bette Midler
      • Danny DeVito
      • Judge Reinhold
    • 104User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos94

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    + 88
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    Top cast59

    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
    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
    • Directors
      • Jim Abrahams
      • David Zucker
      • Jerry Zucker
    • Writers
      • Dale Launer
      • O. Henry
    • 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 Carol and Earl arrive to video store to watch the tape, Carol inserts it into the VCR, and Police Chief Benton's antics appear on all the screens in store. But the VCR's back is facing the camera, and all the output jacks are empty, meaning the VCR isn't connected to anything but the power outlet.
    • Quotes

      Barbara: So, when do I get out of here?

      Sandy: As soon as Mr. Stone pays the ransom.

      Barbara: Well what's the problem? What is the ransom?

      Sandy: It... it was $500,000.

      Barbara: That shouldn't be a problem.

      Sandy: He complained

      Barbara: He complained?

      Sandy: And then we dropped our price to $50,000.

      Barbara: Yeah?

      Sandy: He didn't pay.

      Barbara: He didn't pay? So now what?

      Sandy: So now we're dropping our price again to $10,000.

      Barbara: Do I understand this correctly? I'm being *marked down*? What is this? The Bargain Basement?

      [Starts crying]

      Barbara: I've been kidnapped by Kmart!

    • Crazy credits
      Near the end of the credits is the line "I Love Wrong Numbers", referring to a scene earlier in the movie where Sam Stone gets a wrong number on the phone and does a vulgar prank to it.
    • 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 reviews104

    Featured review
    7/10

    Quick review

    80's hidden gem. Rude, crude and very funny. Danny DeVito on top form, Bill Pullman is fantastic playing the idiot. Watch it
    • d-shilling-1
    • Sep 14, 2018
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Ruthless People?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die unglaubliche Entführung der verrückten Mrs. Stone
    • Filming locations
      • 10690 Somma Way, Los Angeles, California, USA(Sam Stone's House)
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Films
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Silver Screen Partners II
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $71,624,879
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,274,306
      • Jun 29, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $71,624,879
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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