Bringing Up Baby

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2:18

Bringing Up Baby

Released Feb 18, 1938

1h 42m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

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72 Reviews

89%

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25,000+ Ratings

Harried paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) has to make a good impression on society matron Mrs. Random (May Robson), who is considering donating one million dollars to his museum. On the day before his wedding, Huxley meets Mrs. Random's high-spirited young niece, Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), a madcap adventuress who immediately falls for the straitlaced scientist. The ever-growing chaos -- including a missing dinosaur bone and a pet leopard -- threatens to swallow him whole.

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Critics Consensus

With Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant at their effervescent best, Bringing Up Baby is a seamlessly assembled comedy with enduring appeal.

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Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

It’s a wild ride, with Cary Grant as a paleontologist, Hepburn as a zany heiress—and a leopard, the baby of the film’s title. Does it necessarily make sense? No. Is it brilliant in spite of that? Indeed.

Feb 13, 2025

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

I am happy to report that Bringing Up Baby is funny from the word go, that it has no other meaning to recommend it, nor therapeutic qualities, and that I wouldn’t swap it for practically any three things of the current season.

Dec 26, 2023

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

Unfortunately the narrative is too heavy with action. Movement and dialogue are so incessantly rapid that they occasionally become overwhelming. But the clean, fast fun of the film cannot be denied.

Jul 26, 2023

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

The funniest movie I've ever seen

Apr 7, 2025

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

Howard Hawks directs with his usual zip, leading us effortlessly through every silly set piece.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 7, 2024

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David Pountain

Vague Visages

Bringing Up Baby delves joyfully beyond the stiff pretences of modern life to reveal the wild and lustful animal that still lies beneath the surface.

Dec 12, 2023

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David H

Dumb. Silly. Hepburn acting excellent.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

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Rodrigo C

I really love the chemestry between Grand and Hepburn right from the start. Hepburn's character is so witty and clever, and I liked how Grant always had the patience to keep up with her. From the moment they met, it felt like their characters instantly clicked. What surprised me the most was the humor. Since this is a film from the 1938, I honestrly expected it to be old-fashined or boring, but it wasn't at all, it was sharp, fun, and genuinely hilarious. Yes, you can cleverly tell the movie's age in the obvious things like being black and white or the sound quality, but for me, that only made it more charlind and enjoyable. The humor still works perfectly today, and it's the kind of comedy you rarely find in modern movies. This is definitely one of those films you can rewatch after some time, and even when you already know what's going to happen, its charm never fades.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

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Chase R.

One of my favorites from the era.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!! Starring Katharine Hepburn as Susan Vance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Steve M.

Great acting and the humor holds 90 years later.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Christian K

Starts off with incredible flow and chemistry between the leads. The energy is one of a kind. Unfortunately, the last act is a considerable step down as the plot becomes overloaded with additional characters you don't want to spend time with.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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Howard Hawks

Director

Katharine Hepburn

Susan Vance

Cary Grant

Dr. David Huxley

Charlie Ruggles

Major Horace Applegate

May Robson

Aunt Elizabeth Random

Barry Fitzgerald

Mr. Gogarty

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65%

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Bringing Up Baby: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

Harried paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) has to make a good impression on society matron Mrs. Random (May Robson), who is considering donating one million dollars to his museum. On the day before his wedding, Huxley meets Mrs. Random's high-spirited young niece, Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), a madcap adventuress who immediately falls for the straitlaced scientist. The ever-growing chaos -- including a missing dinosaur bone and a pet leopard -- threatens to swallow him whole.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: Hagar Wilde, Dudley Nichols, Hagar Wilde
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1938, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono

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