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The Addams Family (1991)

tomatometer

60

Average Rating: 5.6/10
Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 24 | Rotten: 16

The movie is peppered with amusing sight gags and one-liners, but the disjointed script doesn't cohere into a successful whole.

22

Average Rating: 4.3/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 7

The movie is peppered with amusing sight gags and one-liners, but the disjointed script doesn't cohere into a successful whole.

audience

65

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 289,645

My Rating

Movie Info

Inspired more by the 1960s TV series than by the original Charles Addams New Yorker cartoons, The Addams Family proved to be one of the more successful of the TV shows-turned-movies of the 1990s. The film opens on a recreation of the magazine cartoon wherein the ghoulish Addamses prepare to pour hot oil upon a group of merry Christmas carolers. After a series of vignettes which establish the characters of Gomez (Raul Julia), Morticia (Anjelica Huston), Wednesday (Christina Ricci), Pugsley (Jimmy

Feb 22, 2000

Paramount Pictures

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Cast

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All Critics (40) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (16) | DVD (13)

They're creepy and they're predictable? Mysterious and rather tame?

July 7, 2010 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
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Ooky the Addamses may be, subversive they ain't; it plays like a paean to the nuclear family.

August 16, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
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An extended collection of one-liners and not much more.

May 3, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment (1)
Chicago Reader
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Despite inspired casting and nifty visual trappings, the eagerly awaited Addams Family figures as a major disappointment.

May 3, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
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Ooky the Addamses may be, subversive they ain't; it plays like a paean to the nuclear family.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out New York
Time Out New York
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The film's aimlessness and repetitiveness eventually become draining.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
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Dark comedy with macabre humor for teens.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Deliciously sick and delightfully cast.

July 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine
Empire Magazine

A twisted treat.

July 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Film4
Film4

Cinematographer-turned-director Barry Sonnenfeld and screenwriters Larry Wilson and Caroline Thompson haven't solved the problem of how to construct a film around a one-joke concept.

May 3, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Funny feature film version of the classic TV show, and just as ghoulishly hilarious.

December 23, 2006
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

The plot is a threadbare thing indeed.

October 25, 2006 Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com
DVDTalk.com

All of the actors are spot-on perfect in their roles, particularly Ricci, whose performance as Wednesday helped cement her status as the queen of dark, offbeat films.

September 1, 2006
Reel.com

Basically plotless, this big-screen transfer of the cult TV series has some good vignettes and some good performances by Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci and others.

June 12, 2005 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

creepy and funny

April 29, 2005
Shadows on the Wall

Great translation of the classic television series.

April 22, 2005

Audience Reviews for The Addams Family

Of course we all know what this is based on, the excellent cartoons of one Charles Addams, his macabre little sketches were visually simple yet highly imaginative (for the time) and in my opinion ahead of their time.

Many incarnations of Addams creation have come and gone, most of which have all turned out pretty well and this film from Rudin is no exception in my view.

With a perfect cast of character actors just shy of being oddballs themselves this film is brought to life in a sweeping gothic spooky style that compliments the original source material to a tee. In my view Julia IS 'Gomez' and will always be, his ball eyed lunacy and sharp pin stripe suits are spot on as is his pencil thin moustache giving him that great suave caddish style.

'They say that a man who represents himself in court has a fool for a client. And, with God as my witness, I am that fool!'

All the family are correct and present with outstanding performances from Lloyd as 'Fester', Huston as 'Morticia', Workman as 'Pugsley' and newly discovered Ricci as the chilling emotionless 'Wednesday'. Add to that great backup from the rest of the cast including some neat effects to create 'Thing' which really does look quite good even today. Some nice hands on makeup/effects to bring 'Cousin Itt' to life without the use of CGI. In fact this old film is a testament to how good effects can be with good hard work and craftsmanship. The Addams Mansion is clearly a model in some shots but they seemed to build a huge set also! its gorgeous! really really makes a difference instead of relying on the dreaded CGI monster.

I really do love this film as, in my opinion, its a great adaptation of the source material and sticks to what works, its fun for all the family whilst retaining a nice balance of kooky, spooky ghoulish looks and humour alongside some lovely set work, character makeup and costume.

If you like 'The Addams Family' then I'm confident you would enjoy this version, the plot is simple and works well as Rudin doesn't go over the top. A lovely musical score and some quirky visual moments all add to a fun filled halloween creepy comedy. The 'Addams rap' song in the closing credits is also surprisingly cool.

'Don't torture yourself Gomez...that's my job'
August 8, 2007
phubbs1

Super Reviewer

This is a fun little comedy horror film that should appeal comedy fans as much as horror fans alike. Barry Sonnenfeld has had a hit and miss career as a director, but with The Addams Family, he delivers something very amusing based on the cartoon. The success of the film lies with its terrific cast of talented actors, add to that a funny, horror themed script and you have a perfect film to watch during the Halloween season. There are some really good performances here, especially from Anjelica Houston and Raul Julia. This is really a good film that could introduce potential new fans to the genre of horror as the film's script balances both comedy and horror. This is an entertaining ride from start to finish. I really enjoyed the humor in the film, and along with other comedy horror films, it has a secured place in the genre. I really enjoyed the fact that the film relied on the macabre tones of the cartoons and kept the insanity that the Addams Family such a hit. This is one of those films that deliver as much laughs as spooks, and it really delivers something truly fun and original. I would say that The Addams Family is in the same league as Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. The morbid, darkly humorous bits are the best aspect of the film, and Barry Sonnenfeld has crafted one of his greatest works with this one. I think it's too bad that he's fairly hit and miss nowadays. Although it has its fair share of imperfections, The Addams Family is a demented treat to watch and with a great cast that really shine, you're sure to enjoy this if you're a fan of comedic horror.
October 10, 2012
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

    1. Pugsley Addams: [about to bury two people] Are they dead?
    2. Wednesday Addams: Does it matter?
    – Submitted by Bria M (11 months ago)
    1. Morticia Addams: I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny.
    2. Morticia Addams: But we can have lots of good fun... that is funny.
    3. Morticia Addams: Oh no, he lives.
    – Submitted by Isabella M (11 months ago)
    1. Wednesday Addams: I have decided to scalp you and burn your village to the ground.
    – Submitted by Isabella M (11 months ago)
    1. Girl Scout: Is this made from real lemons?
    2. Wednesday Addams: Yes.
    3. Girl Scout: I only like all-natural foods and beverages, organically grown, with no preservatives. Are you sure they're real lemons?
    4. Wednesday Addams: Yes.
    5. Gordon Craven: Well, I'll tell you what. I'll buy a cup if you buy a box of my delicious Girl Scout cookies. Do we have a deal?
    6. Gordon Craven: Are they made from real Girl Scouts?
    – Submitted by Filipe M (20 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • La Famille Addams (FR)
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