The Three Stooges

  • 2012
  • PG
  • 92m
movieMx RATING
5.8/10623
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Three Stooges Review

Last updated: January 25, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 25, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Three Stooges (2012) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. 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 The Three Stooges features a noteworthy lineup led by Sean Hayes . Supported by the likes of Will Sasso and Chris Diamantopoulos , 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 The Three Stooges (2012) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Three Stooges stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Three Stooges

Quick Plot Summary: The Three Stooges is a Comedy 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. Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, three newborn knuckleheads grow up to be finger-poking, nyuk-nyuking janitors named Larry, Curly and Moe. When they learn that financial problems will soon force the only home they've ever known to close, the trio sets out to raise $830,000 in one month. Out in the world for the very first time, the three innocent bumblers become embroiled in a murder plot and find stardom on a TV reality show. 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 recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: The Three Stooges

Ending Breakdown: The Three Stooges 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 The Three Stooges reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Three Stooges?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Comedy films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Three Stooges

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $30.0M
Worldwide Gross $54.8M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Three Stooges Budget

The estimated production budget for The Three Stooges is $30.0M. 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.

Advertisement

Top Cast: The Three Stooges

All Cast & Crew →
Jane Lynch
Jane LynchMother Superior
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer HudsonSister Rosemary
Stephen Collins
Stephen CollinsMr. Harter
Larry David
Larry DavidSister Mary-Mengele
Carly Craig
Carly CraigMrs. Harter
Kate Upton
Kate UptonSister Bernice
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Three Stooges Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

🏷️ Buy on

Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

The Three Stooges Parents Guide & Age Rating

2012 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Three Stooges age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Three Stooges is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Three Stooges is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Three Stooges is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Three Stooges. Rating: 5.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Three Stooges worth watching?

The Three Stooges is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Three Stooges parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Three Stooges identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Three Stooges?

The total duration of The Three Stooges is 92 minutes, which is approximately 1h 32m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Three Stooges

How The Three Stooges Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Three Stooges

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

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.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.8
The Three Stooges
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-three-stooges-76489" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 5.8</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Three Stooges</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Sean Hayes

View full filmography