*batteries not Included

PG

1987

1 hr. 46 min.

Kids & Family

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Comedy

List

65%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Elvis D

El productor Steven Spielberg siempre nos trae distintas historias de distintos tipos, con un cierto encanto y una esencia que logra generar muchos sentimientos. Esta película tiene ese encanto y dulzura que Spielberg nos ha traído en otras de sus producciones. Esta vez con una historia creada por Mick Garris (creador de Masters Of Horror) y con Brad Bird (director de The Iron Giant) como uno de los guionistas. Se trata de una dulce historia para toda la familia bastante común, pero entretenida con momentos cómicos y dramáticos. Los efectos especiales llaman la atención, ya que nos ofrecen unas naves con un muy buen diseño. Dichas naves son de cierta manera tierna porque son como pequeñas criaturas a las que uno acaba cogiéndoles cariño. De entre los protagonistas se puede destacar a la pareja Riley, ya que se puede ver como el esposo, aparte de tener que lidiar que los intentos de desalojo, debe lidiar con su esposa Faye que sufre de demencia. Faye al ser una anciana con demencia, puede llegar quizás a desagradar, pero genera cierta empatía hacia ella y su esposo por la relación que hay entre ellos. Batteries Not Incluide es otra de las películas de la filmografía de Steven Spielberg a las que vale la pena echarles un vistazo. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/23

Full Review

Allen H

Feel good and fairly unique.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/23

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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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

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
Executive Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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