There's Something About Mary
Performance & Direction: There's Something About Mary Review
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is There's Something About Mary (1998) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Romance is often anchored by its ensemble, and There's Something About Mary features a noteworthy lineup led by Cameron Diaz . Supported by the likes of Matt Dillon and Ben Stiller , 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: There's Something About Mary
Quick Plot Summary: There's Something About Mary is a Romance, Comedy film that explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. For Ted, prom night went about as bad as it’s possible for any night to go. Thirteen years later, he finally gets another chance with his old prom date, only to run up against other suitors including the sleazy detective he hired to find her. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- 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 climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: There's Something About Mary
Ending Breakdown: There's Something About Mary concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to romance 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 romance themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of There's Something About Mary reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch There's Something About Mary?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Romance films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: There's Something About Mary
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $23.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $369.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
There's Something About Mary Budget
The estimated production budget for There's Something About Mary is $23.0M. 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: There's Something About Mary
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch There's Something About Mary Online?
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YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeThere's Something About Mary Parents Guide & Age Rating
1998 AdvisoryWondering about There's Something About Mary age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of There's Something About Mary is 120 minutes (2h 0m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, There's Something About Mary is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1998 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There's Something About Mary worth watching?
There's Something About Mary is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find There's Something About Mary parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for There's Something About Mary identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of There's Something About Mary?
The total duration of There's Something About Mary is 120 minutes, which is approximately 2h 0m long.
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Critic Reviews for There's Something About Mary
There's "nothing" about Mary that is entertaining. Stiller and Diaz are the main characters. It's a bit of romance, allegedly, but if you're looking for inspiration or chemistry or charm, forget it. Still, there's nothing wrong with the story. It's just dull. The guy goes on a bit of an odyssey, and the only funny part of the movie is a bit where he stumbles at a rest stop where the police turn on their lights and see a hoard of men engaging in sexual activity with each other. That was pretty funny. Not hilarious, but funny. The rest of the movie is not even dry humor. It's weak romance. But, since it's about ordinary people, I guess it passes for someone who doesn't have any attention deficit disorder at all.
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.
