Drop Dead Fred
1991, Fantasy, 1h 43m
37 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Tackling mature themes with an infantile sensibility, Drop Dead Fred is an ill-conceived family comedy that is more likely to stir up a headache than the imagination. Read critic reviews
You might also like
Where to watch
Show all servicesRate And Review
-
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
-
Fandango
-
AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
-
Cinemark Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Regal Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Theater box office or somewhere else
Drop Dead Fred Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Elizabeth
Drop Dead Fred
Polly
Charles
Janie
Murray
Critic Reviews for Drop Dead Fred
All Critics (37) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (33)
-
Drop Dead Fred is an erratic stab at making madness sensible, a slapstick nightmare that goes too sane, that tries too hard to be both good and rotten.
May 5, 2014 | Full Review… -
This is easily one of the worst films I've ever seen.
May 5, 2014 | Rating: 0/4 | Full Review… -
The episodic flashbacks are cast in an unfunny Freudian light -- domineering mother, helpless hubby, the tragically withdrawn child. What a laugh riot!
May 5, 2014 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review… -
That any of it, however, should suddenly, melodramatically lead to Elizabeth learning to assert herself is, to say the least, unpersuasive.
May 5, 2014 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
The movie is no comic masterpiece, but it is consistently amusing in a way that sometimes reminded me of a kiddie picture and at other times of a more sophisticated comedy.
May 5, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
It tries too hard to mimic Beetlejuice, especially in British comic Rik Mayall's frantic performance as the title character -- Mayall is no Michael Keaton -- but it has a whimsical comic energy.
May 5, 2014 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Drop Dead Fred
-
Oct 01, 2010Besides a few moments where the writers stumbled upon a lucky line that happened to work, "Drop Dead Fred" is easily the most brainless film I have ever seen in my entire life. As a childhood imaginary friend comes back to haunt her and her new job, along with her relationship, everything goes to hell as she seems to be insane. This film is just one annoying scene after another and it is solely the most painful experience I have ever had, trying to get through a movie. "Drop Dead Fred" is easily THE worst movie I have ever seen, hands down!KJ P Super Reviewer
-
Jul 29, 2010This quirky comedy from Dutch director Ate de Jong shares psychiatric themes dealing with abuse, madness, imaginary friends, and mental illness. Of course, all of these themes, however interesting and sparse in most comedies, are not well represented and are used to exploit bad jokes and queer physical comedy. Actually, what bothers and annoys most in this film is the performance from one person in particular, and that is comedian Rik Mayall as the eponymous Drop Dead Fred. Famous in England for his over-the-top stand-up comedy routines, here Mayall plays an imaginary friend to Elizabeth, played by Phoebe Cates. She is in an emotionally abusive relationship with her husband, Charles, played by Tim Matheson, and controlled by her domineering mother, played by Marsha Mason. Cates plays her role very quietly and in a distinguished way, which is odd in comparison to that of Rik Mayall, who is a loudmouthed, thoughtless, relentlessly irritating nincompoop. His performance is beyond comparison, because it doesn't make any sense in context with the rest of the situations presented during the film. If he exists to work through Elizabeth's inner turmoil, and does so throughout the film, than why does he have her commit crimes, or basically ruin her own life in the process of leaving her husband and finding her own strength? While the basic story is not terrible or anything resembling clichéd, the characters do these baffling and always misguided things that infuriate you as the viewer. This ranges from people throwing pasta in restaurants and calling it impulsive fun, to friends being okay with getting her home totaled and then she beats up a figurative man that she can't see. Everyone in this film is just unfortunate and misguided at every turn. There are some decidedly funny laughs to be had once in a while, but the overall view of this film is trashy and gross.Spencer S Super Reviewer
-
Jul 18, 2010Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Probably why Phoebe Cates retired from acting.Tony G Super Reviewer
-
Oct 25, 2009Liked this movie ever since I was little & still do todayBrody M Super Reviewer
Drop Dead Fred Quotes
| Drop Dead Fred: | Wow! Cobwebs. |
| Drop Dead Fred: | No panties! No panties!! |
| Drop Dead Fred: | No panties! No panties! |
| Drop Dead Fred: | Ah! My head! The Mega-Bitch squashed my head! The bitch! She squashed my head! The evil one reigns supreme! |
| Drop Dead Fred: | Oh, you wanted me to go away? Fine, just say the magic words & I'll piss off. |
| Drop Dead Fred: | Oh, you wanted me to go away? Fine, just say the magic words and I'll piss off. |
| Elizabeth Cronin: | Piss off! |
| Drop Dead Fred: | Gotcha! You just said the magic words! |
Verified