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The Castle

Play trailer Poster for The Castle R 1997 1h 25m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The quirky Kerrigan family lives together in a makeshift home they built themselves -- with great pride and a bizarre attention to detail -- a few yards from the edge of Melbourne, Australia's busy Tullamarine Airport. When a building inspector condemns the building and reveals that the government plans to use their land for an airport expansion, Darryl Kerrigan and his brood recruit hack attorney Dennis Denuto and prepare themselves for the fight of their lives.
The Castle

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Home is where the heart is in The Castle, a rousing Australian comedy that gives audiences an endearing family to root for.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Nov 10, 2008
While it obviously struck a deep chord in its homeland, here it's not much more than a light tap on the funny bone. The irrepressibly tacky Kerrigans make an amusing first impression, but the movie essentially has only one joke to offer. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
3/4
The Castle, directed by Rob Sitch, is one of those comic treasures like The Full Monty and Waking Ned Devine that shows its characters in the full bloom of glorious eccentricity. Go to Full Review Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Oct 26, 2025
5/5
"The Castle" is a thoroughly entertaining lesson in gratitude and kindness that beautifully celebrates the idea of "home." Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Apr 21, 2020
4.5/5
This timeless comic snapshot of suburban life Down Under remains absolutely un-budgeable from its perch as the most widely adored (and quoted) Australian film of all-time. Go to Full Review Matt Neal ABC Radio (Australia) Feb 4, 2020
5/5
The greatest Australian film of all time. Go to Full Review Keeva Stratton Rescu (Australia) Sep 15, 2017
You can't help but fall in love. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Clinton R @CWRoss48 Aug 8, 2026 In the stellar grouping of 'Waking Ned Devine", "Local Hero' and "The Dish". Delightful in most every regard. See more Michael C @RT09601182 Mar 1, 2026 It's got a good vibe... See more Ed . @RT01276001 Aug 29, 2025 I laughed and I cried. For real. This movie didn't expand my vocabulary except for a couple of Australianisms but it did remind me of the important things in life that I usually take for granted. This family showed more love and happiness than do most families with far more financial wealth (and most families of all income brackets) and did so with grace and loads of humor. A bonus was my surprise to discover that the Queens Counsel, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, is the same actor who portrayed the inspector in the Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies way back in the 1960s. See more Will J @willjohnston216 May 27, 2025 This has got to be one of the funniest movies ever. See more Les N @Vegas628 May 23, 2025 Predictable but worth a watch See more Darcy J @Darcidious May 21, 2025 Boring, cringey, and you hate every character. The story is boring and unentertaining. I wouldn't waste your time on this flat, unfunny mess. See more Read all reviews
The Castle

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Cast & Crew

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Rob Sitch

Director

Michael Caton

Darryl Kerrigan

Anne Tenney

Sal Kerrigan

Stephen Curry

Dale Kerrigan

Sophie Lee

Tracy Kerrigan

Anthony Simcoe

Steve Kerrigan

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The Castle

The Castle (1997) The Castle (1997) The Castle (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The quirky Kerrigan family lives together in a makeshift home they built themselves -- with great pride and a bizarre attention to detail -- a few yards from the edge of Melbourne, Australia's busy Tullamarine Airport. When a building inspector condemns the building and reveals that the government plans to use their land for an airport expansion, Darryl Kerrigan and his brood recruit hack attorney Dennis Denuto and prepare themselves for the fight of their lives.
Director
Rob Sitch
Producer
Debra Choate
Screenwriter
Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Rob Sitch
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 10, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$861.8K
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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