Is Flubber Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Flubber is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 93 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Flubber Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1997, Flubber emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Family, Science Fiction domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Professor Phillip Brainard, an absent minded professor, works with his assistant Weebo, trying to create a substance that's a new source of energy and that will save Medfield College where his sweetheart Sara is the president. Unlike standard genre fare, Flubber 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 Flubber features a noteworthy lineup led by Robin Williams . Supported by the likes of Marcia Gay Harden and Christopher McDonald , 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 Flubber (1997) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Flubber Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Flubber is a Comedy, Family, Science Fiction 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.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Professor Phillip Brainard, an absent minded professor, works with his assistant Weebo, trying to create a substance that's a new source of energy and that will save Medfield College where his sweetheart Sara is the president. He has missed his wedding twice, and on the afternoon of his third wedding, Professor Brainard creates flubber, which allows objects to fly through the air. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Flubber Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Flubber attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 Flubber reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Flubber?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Flubber Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $80.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $178.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Flubber Budget
The estimated production budget for Flubber is $80.0M. 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 Flubber
- Robin Williams – Professor Philip Brainard
- Marcia Gay Harden – Dr. Sara Jean Reynolds
- Christopher McDonald – Wilson Croft
- Raymond J. Barry – Chester Hoenicker
- Clancy Brown – Smith
Top Highlights
Robin WilliamsProfessor Philip Brainard
Marcia Gay HardenDr. Sara Jean Reynolds
Christopher McDonaldWilson Croft
Raymond J. BarryChester Hoenicker
Clancy BrownSmith
Nancy OlsonSecretary at Ford Motor Company
Ted LevineWesson
Wil WheatonBennett Hoenicker
Edie McClurgMartha George
Jodi BensonWeebo (voice)
Where to Watch Flubber Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
VI movies and tv🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Flubber is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, Flubber stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1997 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flubber movie hit or flop?
Flubber has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Flubber worth watching?
Flubber is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Family, Science Fiction movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Flubber online?
Flubber is currently available for streaming on VI movies and tv. You can also check for it on platforms like VI movies and tv depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Flubber
It's kind of fitting as I decided to decline Disney's kind invitation to pay 33% more for my Disney+ that this is the last of their films that I watched. It sums up the mediocrity of this once innovative source of vibrant and creative animation - and presents us with a derivative version of a film that Jerry Lewis might have made in the 1960s if he'd owned "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" - and no, "Flubber" isn't even a dolphin! It all relies on the rather annoying performance of Robin Williams in the role of the madcap scientist "Prof. Brainard" who is determined to save his college from closure by coming up with a miracle invention. His woes don't just stop there, though. His fiancée "Sara" (Marcia Gay Harden) might just be seeing another man! Anyway, what he does manage to create is the eponymous, extremely independently elastic, green gunge that can be everything from load bearing to ultra-stretchy. Needless to say, this attracts the attention of rivals and so he must now focus on a two pronged offensive to protect his sludge and keep his gal. There's only so much the talented Williams can do here before the whole thing just sinks into it's own green goo. The script is borderline puerile and even a flying car can't really rescue this from a rather disappointing predictability. At least it's short and sweet, but really hasn't an original bone in it's flexi-body!
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
