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Problem Child
1990 81 min United States of America PG 6+
★4.9
Comedy, Family
Director: Dennis Dugan
Trailers
Description
Ben Healy and his social climbing wife Flo adopt fun-loving seven year old Junior. But they soon discover he's a little monster as he turns a camping trip, a birthday party and even a baseball game into comic nightmares.
Budget:
$10M
US Gross:
$53.47M
Worldwide:
$72M
Starring
Michael Oliver
Actor
John Ritter
Actor
Jack Warden
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Problem Child is widely regarded as a polarizing cult classic that blends slapstick humor with darker, sometimes unsettling, themes of childhood trauma and parental neglect. While modern critics and some viewers find the film dated and emotionally flat, it remains a source of significant nostalgia for 90s audiences who value the heartfelt performances of John Ritter and Michael Oliver.
| Acting | John Ritter and Michael Oliver deliver standout, memorable performances that anchor the film's chaotic energy. | |
| Humor | The humor is subject to intense debate, with supporters finding it funny and mood-lifting, while detractors dismiss the jokes as stale, crude, or harmful. | |
| Emotion | The film's emotional impact is divisive; some viewers find the depiction of a father-son bond touching, while others feel the movie lacks genuine warmth and treats serious trauma with indifference. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are split between those who view it as an original, entertaining family story and those who find the plot banal, contrived, or overly reliant on cheap slapstick. | |
| Direction | The direction by Dennis Dugan is seen as a formative, nostalgic debut by some, yet criticized by others as mediocre and lacking the polish of similar 90s hits like Home Alone. |