Monster-in-Law

Play trailer

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

David Ansen

Newsweek

Nov 1, 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

May 21, 2005

1.5/5

A banal and lukewarm slice of romantic comedy and family histrionics.

Go to Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

May 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

Nov 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

Nov 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

Apr 8, 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

Doug L

@RT90202007 Jun 28, 2026

It sucks the big one!

See more

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Apr 29, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2025

Hilarious and entertaining for a romantic comedy. The stars give a great performance.

See more

alan g

@agenser Aug 23, 2025

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 Jun 19, 2025

Unfunny in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even the stars and crew agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Robert Luketic

Director

Jennifer Lopez

Charlie

Jane Fonda

Viola Fields

Michael Vartan

Kevin

Wanda Sykes

Ruby

Adam Scott

Remy

Just Friends

43%

71%

Just Friends

Watchlist

Arthur

27%

44%

Arthur

Watchlist

Must Love Dogs

37%

50%

Must Love Dogs

Watchlist

The Baxter

32%

75%

The Baxter

Watchlist

Shall We Dance?

46%

57%

Shall We Dance?

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in August 2022

New on Netflix in April 2022

Box Office Guru Preview: "28 Weeks Later" and "Georgia Rule" To Battle For #2 Spot

View more photos

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)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings