Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Shallow Hal

Play trailer Poster for Shallow Hal PG-13 2001 1h 54m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 134 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
The story revolves around Hal who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Shallow Hal

Shallow Hal

What to Know

Critics Consensus

While surprisingly sweeter and warm-hearted than previous Farrelly outings, Shallow Hal is also less funny and more bland.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Roger Clarke Independent (UK) 11/08/2023
2/5
Unexpectedly rather sweet and underplayed, given that it comes from the gross-out kings. Go to Full Review Telegraph Staff Daily Telegraph (UK) 11/08/2023
The situations become too embarrassing to be funny. Go to Full Review Christy Lemire Associated Press 06/12/2018
A movie that meanders from one sight gag to the next, many of which you've already seen in the commercials. Go to Full Review Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald 04/01/2025
C+
Black does not have the skill to carry an entire movie... Despite that drawback and the film's one-dimensional plot, Shallow Hal has a terrific message. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) 11/08/2023
After a ponderous start, the Farrellys eventually unveil their big dramatic idea rather slowly, but don't know where to take it. Having wandered around in circles for nearly two hours they end up in embarrassment. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/09/2020
5/10
The pervasive, uncomfortable feeling from Hal's confusion distracts from the commendable nature of the themes and the effectiveness of the humor. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Miguel R @RT62569158 3d [2026] Eh, it's not as terrible as the score makes it look. A very interesting concept with some fun, some Jack Black comedy, and some philosophical stands. What is true love, true beauty? Some scenes do feel a bit boring or extended. Overall, I think it's worth a look, and that's definitely higher praise than a ton of awful movies out there. You decide if it's bad, mid, or great. See more Jenny A @JennyHere Jun 30 I have watched this movie so many times! It's entertaining; the screenplay and acting are excellent. It's a great rom-com! See more Anthony C. @acolli92 Jun 11 Shallow Hal is one of those movies that tries to do something decent while tripping over its own sense of humor. See more Steven F. @SteveGotScored Mar 17 This is such a heartwarming comedy! See more Tomato B. @GummyBee Jan 19 As a fat person myself, I wasn’t offended like I thought I’d be See more Cam B. @cambigelow Nov 19 Funny and has aged well See more Read all reviews
Shallow Hal

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Robert Farrelly

Director

Peter Farrelly

Director

Gwyneth Paltrow

Rosemary

Jack Black

Hal

Jason Alexander

Mauricio

Joe Viterelli

Steve Shanahan

More Like This

View All
Someone Like You 41% 56% Someone Like You Watchlist Love Potion No. 9 25% 43% Love Potion No. 9 Watchlist Out to Sea 36% 52% Out to Sea Watchlist Head Over Heels 10% 56% Head Over Heels Watchlist Down With Love 60% 62% Down With Love Watchlist TRAILER for Down With Love Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
Definitive Jack Black Movies Willis Ponders "Die Hard 4" and "Another 16 Blocks" Special Olympians Find No Problem with Knoxville’s "Ringer"
View All

Shallow Hal

Hal (Jack Black) cannot understand why the undergarment of his lithe girlfriend is the size of a small tent. Hal (Jack Black, right) reacts to some questionable advice from his equally shallow friend Mauricio (Jason Alexander). Hal (Jack Black, right) has a life-altering encounter with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Directors Bobby Farrelly (left) and Peter Farrelly flank Jack Black on the set of SHALLOW HAL. Mauricio (Jason Alexander) is a little overwhelmed by his ukulele-strumming acquaintance (Joshua "Li'iboy" Shintani). Lovesick Hal (Black) is literally up in the air during his whirlwind romance with Rosemary (Paltrow), an obese and homely woman he has been hypnotised into percieving as a lithe beauty. Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Hal (Jack Black) share a tender moment over an enormous chocolate shake. JACK BLACK is Hal, the ultimate shallow guy whose views on the nature of real beauty are forever changed after an impromptu hypnosis. An anxious Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow) prepares for a romantic evening with her new boyfriend. GWYNETH PALTROW is Rosemary, a Peace Corps volunteer whose inner beauty is seen as physical splendor by her new - and hypnotized - boyfriend. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The story revolves around Hal who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women.
Director
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Producer
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Bradley Thomas, Charles B. Wessler
Screenwriter
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Sean Moynahan
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Conundrum Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$70.8M
Runtime
1h 54m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings