
Problem Child
1990, Comedy, 1h 21m
29 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Mean-spirited and hopelessly short on comic invention, Problem Child is a particularly unpleasant comedy, one that's loaded with manic scenery chewing and juvenile pranks. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Ben
Junior
Big Ben
Mr. Peabody
Flo
Martin Beck
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Critic Reviews for Problem Child
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (9) | Rotten (29)
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Sound funny? The filmmakers here think so. They've jacked this loud, lame shrieker of a movie up to the highest decibels, both aural and visual, and rammed it in our faces with almost numbing aplomb.
July 14, 2014 | Full Review… -
Some kids are born bad. Others achieve badness. And some have badness thrust upon them. The same can be said of movies.
May 21, 2013 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Inside Dennis Dugan's uncertainly staged, awkwardly sentimental Problem Child is another movie fighting to get out-one that's much meaner and probably more interesting.
May 21, 2013 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Pipsqueak comedy that does not have the courage of its own convictions.
May 21, 2013 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
The rest of the kid's tricks are too unimaginative to be much fun -- though with jokes this lame you won't have to worry as much about your children getting any bad ideas.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: D- | Full Review… -
Universal took a step in the right direction by whittling Problem Child down to just 81 minutes but didn't go far enough. The studio should have excised another 75 minutes and released this unbelievable mess as a short.
March 26, 2009 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Problem Child
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Jul 01, 2012Awful, uninspired comedy about a brat, this is one of the worst comedies I had the misfortune of seeing. Poorly written, acted and directed, this is a film that never was funny to begin with. I never understood why this film was a hit, as it is painful to watch. I found the film to be very unfunny, and the lead child actor was really annoying and unfunny. The film tries too hat delivering effective gags, and it fails because the material just doesn't cut it. In terms of a good comedy, this film doesn't even come close as being a funny film. The cast make it a horrible film, and the directing is unfocused and sloppy, that's to be expected from a Dennis Dugan film. This is comedy at its lowest form. A tiresome, boring film that is just painful to watch, Problem Child is a misfire of a film, one that never should have been made in the first place. The script has its limitations, and it constantly shows on-screen. If you're looking for a funny film with this one, you'll be sadly disappointed. I despised everything about this film, and I thought it was bad from start to finish. The film didn't even have potential of being a good comedy. This is one of those films that just has nothing good going for it. You should definitely avoid it, and watch a funnier film than this. This one scraps the bottom of the barrel, and it's too flawed to work. Avoid it like the plague. Annoying and never funny, this has got to be one of the worst films in the genre. I think it's a shame that celluloid was wasted on trash like this.Alex r Super Reviewer
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May 06, 2011Fun. But, the real problem is the screenplay.Lucas M Super Reviewer
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Apr 11, 2011Not as good as I remember it being when I was younger. John Ritter was still the man though.Christopher H Super Reviewer
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Apr 08, 2011This was one of those movies which I thought was funny for the type of movie it was. I probably wouldn't watch it again but it was worthwhile to see once.Sarah P Super Reviewer
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