Bowfinger

Play trailer

Bowfinger

PG-13

Released Aug 13, 1999

1h 37m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

114 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue (Heather Graham), a has-been diva (Christine Baranski) and a film studio gofer (Jamie Kennedy), he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

A witty commentary on modern film-making, with enough jokes to keep it entertaining throughout.

Read Critics Reviews

Xan Brooks

Independent (UK)

Breathless and breakneck, Bowfinger marks a rousing return to form for writer-star Martin.

Dec 20, 2024

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Entertaining, great actors but not a home run.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

The best thing about Bowfinger is the way the script by Steve Martin is tooled to his own and Murphy's comic strengths.

Feb 2, 2009

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

The film relies heavily on the chemistry Murphy and Martin have together, and the former’s uncanny ability to disappear into multiple roles blended well with the Hollywood shenanigans.

Jul 8, 2024

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

Bowfinger is a terrifically witty movie that skewers all the right targets. It's self-referential and geared toward movie buffs, but it's not so insular that you need an in-depth knowledge of the industry to get the jokes.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 26, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Steve Martin's tribute to shoestring filmmaking and big-screen dreams is a loving lampoon that gamely straddles the chasm between cynical con-artistry and benign innocence.

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sarfaraz A

This satirical comedy film was written by Steve Martin and directed by Frank Oz. Terence Stamp, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Steve Martin, and Robert Downy Jr. (in cameos) are among the cast members. In the film, Steve Martin plays a mediocre filmmaker who is captivated by an extraterrestrial invasion plot. To finance his film, he has saved almost two thousand dollars. He hopes to work with Eddie Murphy, a well-known Hollywood actor who will not be aware that he is being filmed, while having fleeting and incidental interactions with Martin's quirky crew, which includes illegal Mexican migrants and a gorgeous aspiring actress who sleeps with anyone she thinks is involved in the filming. The movie seemed to be fast-paced and joyous, but it lacked the humorous bits that Steve Martin is known for. I have no clue why the movie has garnered so many favorable reviews, other than the fact that the film's plot revolves on filmmaking and other film industry-related narratives that generally please cinema critics. I'd want to be educated on the opposite to my assumptions about the film. Eddie Murphy was unfunny, despite portraying two roles as twin brothers. Perhaps the part was not intended for a comedic performer, since Martin had the character developed for Keanu Reeves. It's watchable, but not so much that you'd regret not seeing it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

wally r

An extremely funny, witty and clean movie proving that comedies don't have to be vulgar. A family favorite now for 25 years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Rishi M

a very funny comedy must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

Diger 4

The movie was good funny action packed and loved the actors robert Downey jr also Eddie Murphy great see NOW

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

Daniel M

Somehow I missed this one when it released and I was surprised how fun and original the story was. Great concept and the characters were great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Josh D

Underrated film. Heavenly God!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Frank Oz

Director

Steve Martin

Bobby Bowfinger

Eddie Murphy

Kit Ramsey

Heather Graham

Daisy

Christine Baranski

Carol

Jamie Kennedy

Dave

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Buck the Wonder Slave

2:59

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Gotcha Suckers!

2:57

Bowfinger: Official Clip - A Go Picture

2:21

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Crossing the Freeway

3:08

Bowfinger: Official Clip - My Gonads

1:40

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Guerrilla Filmmaking

3:00

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Spearchucker Says Hello!

2:16

Bowfinger: Official Clip - High-Heel Wearing Dog

2:37

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Daisy's Topless Scene

2:02

Bowfinger: Official Clip - Chubby Rain Movie Premiere

1:51

View more videos

Liar Liar

83%

75%

Liar Liar

Watchlist

The Nutty Professor

65%

44%

The Nutty Professor

Watchlist

Problem Child 2

7%

42%

Problem Child 2

Watchlist

Undercover Brother

78%

64%

Undercover Brother

Watchlist

EDtv

63%

30%

EDtv

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New Certified Fresh Films on Netflix: The Shawshank Redemption, Boogie Nights, 2001, and More

Five Favourite Films with Bill Nighy

Brand New Composer to Score Potter 5

View more photos

Synopsis

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue (Heather Graham), a has-been diva (Christine Baranski) and a film studio gofer (Jamie Kennedy), he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

Director: Frank Oz
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Steve Martin
Distributor: United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], CIC-Taft Home Video, Filmes Lusomundo, Argentina Video Home
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $66.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

Most Popular at Home Now