Harry and the Hendersons
Performance & Direction: Harry and the Hendersons Review
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Harry and the Hendersons (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Harry and the Hendersons features a noteworthy lineup led by John Lithgow . Supported by the likes of Melinda Dillon and Don Ameche , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: Harry and the Hendersons
Quick Plot Summary: Harry and the Hendersons is a Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Drama film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. 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. Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. At first they fear it was a man, but when they examine the "body" they find it's a "bigfoot". They think it's dead so they decide to take it home (there could be some money in this). As you guessed, it isn't dead. Far from being the ferocious monster they fear "Harry" to be, he's a friendly giant. 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: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Harry and the Hendersons
Ending Breakdown: Harry and the Hendersons 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 Harry and the Hendersons reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Harry and the Hendersons?
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
Box Office Collection: Harry and the Hendersons
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $50.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Harry and the Hendersons Budget
The estimated production budget for Harry and the Hendersons is $10.0M. 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.
Top Cast: Harry and the Hendersons
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Where to Watch Harry and the Hendersons Online?
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Amazon VideoHarry and the Hendersons Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about Harry and the Hendersons age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Harry and the Hendersons is 110 minutes (1h 50m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Harry and the Hendersons is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harry and the Hendersons worth watching?
Harry and the Hendersons is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Harry and the Hendersons parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Harry and the Hendersons identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Harry and the Hendersons?
The total duration of Harry and the Hendersons is 110 minutes, which is approximately 1h 50m long.
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Critic Reviews for Harry and the Hendersons
Great watch, will watch again, and do recommend. While the movie is quite dated at this point, it really isn't that noticeable. The biggest difference is that the information would travel much faster today, and probably the kids would be jerks and lend to the problem. In 30+ years, I can't believe there hasn't been another Bigfoot movie that comes anywhere close to this, and none that I know of that paint Bigfoot in a positive light. Kevin Peter Hall, as the guy in the Harry costume, is amazing in this. Granted, there is an animatronics team to perform the detailed facial moments that really make the movie, but "Harry" carries the movie. John Lithgow is right behind him as the human "every man", but it is probably the entire family cast interaction that really makes this movie as charming as it is. And it completely is. It is really the reason to watch this movie. It's funny, it's touching, there is even some action in it. Give this a watch, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
