Do you want to see ‘Howard the Duck’?

Howard the Duck (1986)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 2.5/10
Reviews Counted: 32
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 27

While it has its moments, Howard the Duck suffers from an uneven tone and mediocre performances.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

While it has its moments, Howard the Duck suffers from an uneven tone and mediocre performances.

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Average Rating: 2.6/5
User Ratings: 52,366

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Movie Info

In this sci-fi comedy from executive producer George Lucas, Howard the Duck is an extra-terrestrial fowl who is accidentally beamed to earth by physicist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones) and his assistant Phil (Tim Robbins). The two go looking for Howard and find him in the home of Beverly Switzer (Lea Thompson), who was rescued by the interstellar duck from some mean-looking thugs. Beverly and Phil are friends, and when the government finds out about Howard, she helps Phil and Dr. Jenning hide him

PG, 1 hr. 41 min.

Action & Adventure, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Directed By: Willard Huyck

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1986 Wide

On DVD: Mar 10, 2009

Universal Pictures

Howard the Duck Trailer & Photos

Cast

Lea Thompson
Beverly Switzler
Jeffrey Jones
Dr. Jenning
Tim Robbins
Phil Blumbertt
Ed Gale
Howard T. Duck
Chip Zien
Howard T. Duck
Paul Guilfoyle
Lt. Welker
Tim Rose
Howard T. Duck
Steve Sleap
Howard T. Duck
Peter Baird
Howard T. Duck
Mary Wells
Howard T. Duck
Lisa Sturz
Howard T. Duck
Jordan Prentice
Howard T. Duck
Tommy Swerdlow
Ginger Mos
Lee Anthony
Grossbach
Virginia Capers
Coramae
Debbie Lee Carrington
Additional Duck
Miles Chapin
Carter
Paul Comi
Dr. Chapin
Dominique Davalos
Cal
Richard Edson
Ritchie
Sheldon Feldner
Hot Tub Spa Owner
Nancy Fish
Bag Lady
John Fleck
Pimples
Monty Hoffman
Club Bouncer
Ed Holmes
TV Duck Hunter
Richard Kiley
the Cosmos
Steve Kravitz
Lover Boy
James Lashly
State Trooper
Gary Littlejohn
Trucker
Kristopher Logan
Punk
Richard McGonagle
Cop
Wood Moy
Chef
David Paymer
Larry Scientist
Holly Robinson Peete
K.C.
Liz Sagal
Ronette
Miguel Sandoval
Cab Driver
Felix Silla
Stunt Duck
Thomas Dolby
Bartender in Rock Club
Marcia Banks
Mama Biker
James Brady
Tour Guide
Maureen Coyne
Teacher
Denny Delk
Sergeant
Margarita Fernandez
Martin Ganapoler
Trucker
Ted Kurtz
Kirby
Jeanne Laruen
Bear
Wanda McCaddon
Hostess
Jorli McClain
Waitress
Carol McElheney
Screaming Woman
Reed Kirk Rahlmann
Bender
Tom Rayhall
Trucker
Michael Sandoval
Club Owner
Anne Tofflemire
Lover Girl
William Hall
Hanson
Tom Parker
TV Reporter
William McCoy
Skin Head

Critic Reviews for Howard the Duck

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (32) | DVD (7)

The duck doesn't fly, but did anyone ever really think it would?

April 25, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Pat Graham

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Daffy Duck will be pleased to hear he didn't miss any career opportunities when he wasn't chosen to star in Howard the Duck, although producers certainly could have benefited from his talents.

April 25, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety

Top Critic

Choose the part that suits your taste, but this is a case where half a movie -- either half -- is apt to be better than the whole.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Caryn James

New York Times

Top Critic

As bad as you've heard. Actually, it's worse.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Slate

| Comment

Keith Phipps

Slate

...a hopelessly uneven and needlessly frenetic piece of work that's unlikely to hold much appeal for viewers over a certain age...

July 13, 2009 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comment

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Superhero spoof is awful -- and edgier than you remember.

May 22, 2009 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Howard the Duck is a turkey all right, no doubt about it.

April 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

| Comment

James O'Ehley

Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

...a genuinely awful movie whose merits no amount of hindsight can repair.

March 30, 2009 Full Review Source: ToddGilchrist.com

| Comment

Todd Gilchrist

ToddGilchrist.com

It really is that bad.

March 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Bill Gibron

Filmcritic.com

Howard the Duck is the first clear sign that George Lucas, who exec produced this mess, ran out of pixie dust after wrapping "Return of the Jedi.

March 4, 2009 Full Review Source: Washington Times

| Comment (1)

Christian Toto

Washington Times Source: Washington Times

Howard the Duck isn't quite the booming nightmare its reputation suggests, but I defy most viewers out there in DVD land to sit through the entire feature without maintaining a sweaty, alert finger on the fast-forward button.

February 22, 2009 Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com

| Comment

Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

Everyone concerned with this should have been seated on a ducking stool and drenched.

April 25, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

[An] aimless movie.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Derek Adams

Time Out

Actually suprisingly underrated for its... Oh, who am I kidding? A goofy disaster of a movie.

September 10, 2005 Comment

Dan Fienberg

Zap2it.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Howard the Duck

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It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Daffy! No, it's Donald! NO, YOU IDIOT IT'S HOWARD! (Just thought I could use humor similar to that of this film to start a review.)Cheerfully dumb urban quest for love (with some monsters and ducks on the way!) is a true waste of George Lucas's talent. Based on the short-lived

August 8, 2011

Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

This is cult stuff haha I loved it as a kid and I love it now, its so cool and the lead character is so original. The story is basic but works in a typically cute fantasy type way, the effects are pretty cool too and hold up well today, probably down to Mr Lucas' influence. Its actually pretty tense here and there with

January 16, 2008

Phil Hubbard

Super Reviewer

Howard the Duck Quotes

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