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Monster-in-Law

Play trailer Poster for Monster-in-Law PG-13 2005 1h 38m Romance Comedy Drama Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
19% Tomatometer 167 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Charlotte (Jennifer Lopez) is smitten when she meets Dr. Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan). So when Kevin pops the question after they start dating, Charlotte happily accepts. But she soon realizes that Kevin's mom, Viola (Jane Fonda), is not quite thrilled to have a new family member. Viola, a newscaster, has just lost her job and is feeling rather attached to Kevin, so she regards Charlotte as her new competition -- and will apparently do anything to make her son call off the wedding.
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Monster-in-Law

Monster-in-Law

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Critics Consensus

While Jane Fonda steals the movie in her return to the screen, a tired script and flimsy performances make this borderline comedy fall flat.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 11/01/2007
The premise, though hardly fresh, has the makings of a ferocious black comedy. But Monster-in-Law is more a sour pastel. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle 05/21/2005
1.5/5
A banal and lukewarm slice of romantic comedy and family histrionics. Go to Full Review Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper 05/16/2005
This really plays a like a really bad sitcom from forty years ago. Go to Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News 11/18/2019
B-
If you are looking for a film with depth and character development, Monster-In-Law is probably not the film for you. Still, I couldnt help but enjoy most of the slapstick situations. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/13/2019
Despite its shortcomings (not the least of which is [Jennifer] Lopez), Monster-in-Law is the first must-see film of the spring and summer thanks to Jane Fonda's Viola. Go to Full Review Joshua Starnes ComingSoon.net 04/08/2011
5/10
Fonda is terrific playing the mess that is Viola. Her introduction tells you everything you need to know about her: after learning she has been fired she attacks a vacuous Britney Spears clone on air. It never reaches that kind of mean-spirited fun again. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Doug L @RT90202007 1d It sucks the big one! See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom Apr 29 Monster-in-Law is one of those comedies that sounds like it should be fun on paper but ends up feeling surprisingly flat in execution. The premise has potential for sharp humor and chaotic family dynamics, but most of the jokes feel predictable and stretched, with very few genuinely memorable moments. The pacing drags in places, making the runtime feel longer than it actually is. Even with a talented cast, the material doesn’t give them much room to do anything fresh or interesting, so a lot of scenes fall into repetitive arguments and familiar rom-com clichés. It’s not completely without entertainment value, but it rarely rises above "background movie" status. If you’re looking for something sharp or consistently funny, this probably won’t deliver. Overall: 3/10 — more dull than disastrous, but still a disappointment for what it could have been. See more Shelisa D @cautiouslyoptimistic Mar 3 When this movie was released, I was a high school senior and rented it 24 times during one summer. It remains one of my favorite movies of all time because the love story is complex and about mutual respect and coexistence rather than rescue and domination, something we didn't see much of at the time. I haven't seen anything like it since. Favorite rom-com of all time. See more Elaine P. @elain7m Nov 4 Hilarious and entertaining for a romantic comedy. The stars give a great performance. See more alan g @agenser Aug 23 Two of the most overratered actresses of all time. Hanoi Jane and J Low. Traitor should have been shot during the Vietnam war. See more Stephen C @bob25009 06/19/2025 Unfunny in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even the stars and crew agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Monster-in-Law

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Luketic

Director

Jennifer Lopez

Charlie

Jane Fonda

Viola Fields

Michael Vartan

Kevin

Wanda Sykes

Ruby

Adam Scott

Remy

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Monster-in-Law

Monster-in-Law (2005) Jane Fonda as Viola in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic drama, Monster-in-Law. Michael Vartan as Kevin in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic drama, Monster-in-Law. left to right) Jane Fonda as Viola and Jennifer Lopez as Charlie in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic drama, Monster-in-Law. Wanda Sykes as Ruby in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic drama, Monster-in-Law. Jennifer Lopez as Charlie in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic drama, Monster-in-Law. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Charlotte (Jennifer Lopez) is smitten when she meets Dr. Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan). So when Kevin pops the question after they start dating, Charlotte happily accepts. But she soon realizes that Kevin's mom, Viola (Jane Fonda), is not quite thrilled to have a new family member. Viola, a newscaster, has just lost her job and is feeling rather attached to Kevin, so she regards Charlotte as her new competition -- and will apparently do anything to make her son call off the wedding.
Director
Robert Luketic
Producer
Chris Bender, J.C. Spink, Paula Weinstein
Screenwriter
Anya Kochoff
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
Benderspink
Rating
PG-13 (Sex References|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama, Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 13, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$82.9M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)