*batteries not Included

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*batteries not Included

PG

1987

1h 46m

Kids & Family

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Frank (Hume Cronyn) and Faye Riley (Jessica Tandy) are an elderly New York City couple living in a depressed part of town. There, they run a diner as well as an apartment building, which is home to a poor but friendly group of people. One day, Frank and Faye learn that a property developer wants them to sell the apartment. When they refuse, their diner is vandalized. However, Frank, Faye and their tenants are aided by mysterious flying saucers, which help them repair the diner and fight back.

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Henry Sheehan

Chicago Reader

Within that ugly image, the symbol for the enlightened middle class is one of submission and collaboration.

Rated: 3/4

May 10, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

This film is so harmless it`s boring.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Batteries Not Included is a sweet, cheerful and funny family entertainment.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Kids in the cinema had lots of fun…tolerable overall. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 15, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an earnest and exceedingly well-acted endeavor that isnt, for the most part, as compelling or absorbing as one mightve hoped...

Rated: 2/4

Feb 10, 2022

Full Review

Alex Orner

Common Sense Media

A good film the whole family can enjoy.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2011

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Topher S

it has annoying 80s movie stuff in it, but the alien robots are friggin' adorbs! there is a scene where the old guy flips a hamburger, but that ain't no burger, that is an adorable burger shaped flying robot alien

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

Brendon E

I loved it not sure why so many bad reviews. Well acted funny and good natured film one for the whole family.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

Full Review

Tam W

Great "feel good" wholesome movie that anyone in the family can enjoy. Especially around Christmas time. Worth watching at least once.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

David W

Loved this movie as a kid. I think it still holds up today. The special effects are top notch and the story still brings a tear to my eye.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Allan C

Such a cute, very family friendly, movie. In the same sort of vein as Cocoon, in which you get elderly stars as your main characters. Jessica Tandy, as always, is phenomenal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/24

Full Review

Michael Antony A

Mikey's Movie Review: *Batteries Not Included (1987) Essentially an extended episode of Steven Spielberg/Matthew Robbins' anthology series 'Amazing Stories', this sweet family fantasy still stands up 30+ years on. Long standing tenants of a broken down building in New York are being forced out but an unscrupulous property developer. Just as things look their bleakest, a miracle arrives in a most unexpected form… Real life couple Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn repeat their familiar schtick and banter (used to more emotional effect in 1985's ‘Cocoon'), supported by an able cast that includes Frank McRea, Michael Carmine and the lovely Elizabeth Peña. But just as one might expect, the true stars of the movie belong to ILM's technical stop-motion marvels ‘The Fix-Its', who provide the real heart and soul. James Horner's score hits just the right notes and although the film never outstays its welcome, a 10 minute edit might have secured a better movie. As it is, it's not your typical Christmas film, but an easy diversion for the whole family delivering a sweet message and a few fun and touching moments. Director Robbins also worked on Disney's Dragonslayer (1981), Mimic (1997) and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022). Mikey's Movie Rating: 3/5*

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

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Matthew Robbins

Director

Hume Cronyn

Frank Riley

Jessica Tandy

Faye Riley

Frank McRae

Harry Noble

Elizabeth Peña

Marisa Esteval

Michael Carmine

Carlos

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Synopsis

Frank (Hume Cronyn) and Faye Riley (Jessica Tandy) are an elderly New York City couple living in a depressed part of town. There, they run a diner as well as an apartment building, which is home to a poor but friendly group of people. One day, Frank and Faye learn that a property developer wants them to sell the apartment. When they refuse, their diner is vandalized. However, Frank, Faye and their tenants are aided by mysterious flying saucers, which help them repair the diner and fight back.

Director: Matthew Robbins
Producer: Ronald L. Schwary
Screenwriter: Brad Bird, Matthew Robbins, Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.9M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround

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