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*batteries not Included

Play trailer Poster for *batteries not Included PG 1987 1h 46m Kids & Family Sci-Fi Fantasy Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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*batteries not Included

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Joel S One of the best sci-fi movies ever! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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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