Is Dinner at Eight Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Dinner at Eight is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 111 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Dinner at Eight Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1933, Dinner at Eight emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of An ambitious New York socialite plans an extravagant dinner party as her businessman husband, Oliver, contends with financial woes, causing a lot of tension between the couple. Unlike standard genre fare, Dinner at Eight attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dinner at Eight features a noteworthy lineup led by Marie Dressler . Supported by the likes of John Barrymore and Wallace Beery , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Dinner at Eight (1933) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Dinner at Eight Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Dinner at Eight is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Dinner at Eight Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Dinner at Eight concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dinner at Eight reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dinner at Eight?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Dinner at Eight Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $435.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Dinner at Eight Budget
The estimated production budget for Dinner at Eight is $435.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Dinner at Eight
- Marie Dressler – Carlotta Vance
- John Barrymore – Larry Renault
- Wallace Beery – Dan Packard
- Jean Harlow – Kitty Packard
- Lionel Barrymore – Oliver Jordan
Top Highlights
Marie DresslerCarlotta Vance
John BarrymoreLarry Renault
Wallace BeeryDan Packard
Jean HarlowKitty Packard
Lionel BarrymoreOliver Jordan
Lee TracyMax Kane
Edmund LoweDr. Wayne Talbot
Billie BurkeMillicent Jordan
Madge EvansPaula Jordan
Jean HersholtJo Stengel
Where to Watch Dinner at Eight Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Dinner at Eight is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, Dinner at Eight stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1933 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dinner at Eight movie hit or flop?
Dinner at Eight has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Dinner at Eight worth watching?
Dinner at Eight is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Dinner at Eight online?
Dinner at Eight may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for Dinner at Eight
Excellent. Part of my TCM Jean Harlow 4-pack, and the bonus feature-length doc on Harlow's short life and career is exemplary. Highly recommended to any Pre-Code connoisseurs--and I know you're out there...
One of great director George Cukor's best films, Dinner at Eight is a prime example of a Pre-Code era classic, and an excellent star vehicle for the combined multifarious talents of Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery, Brothers Barrymore (Lionel and John), Jean Harlow, and Billie Burke, among others. Coupled with the great acting is the offbeat and alternately dramatic and humorous story line of the flighty hostess who plans an extravagant dinner party for a wealthy and highly-esteemed British couple who never do show up. The audience is introduced one by one to the various guests, as well as the host and hostess, and by the conclusion of the film, the viewer knows how and why each of them has chosen whether or not to accept the invitation, with each character's situation shown in an intimate, behind-the-scenes manner. Would I recommend? Yes, but please, don't go into this thinking you're in for a hyper, all-out screwball comedy. It's not. It's a comedy/drama leaning more toward the latter, and it's very...different. That's all.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
