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Captain Ron

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Captain Ron

PG-13

Released Sep 18, 1992

1h 40m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When mild-mannered Martin Harvey (Martin Short) finds out that he has inherited a vintage yacht, he decides to take his family on a Caribbean vacation to retrieve the vessel. Upon arriving on a small island and realizing that the ship is in rough shape, Martin and his family end up with more than they bargained for as the roguish Captain Ron (Kurt Russell) signs on to sail the boat to Miami. It doesn't take long before Ron's anything-goes antics get the Harveys into plenty of trouble.

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Critics Consensus

Despite the swashbuckling charms of Kurt Russell's seafaring antics, Captain Ron capsizes in its hackneyed narrative waters.

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Russell puts in a worthy performance as the irrepressible Ron and Martin Short is typically neurotic as the father.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 22, 2016

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Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Captain Ron is a movie about trapped suburbanites who break out into romantic seas, but it never really leaves suburbia... Like the Cap'n himself, this movie guzzles up its dreams and ignores the busted engine.

Nov 22, 2016

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Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Queasy ocean-going comedy, not helped by Kurt's Robert Newton impersonation.

Jun 24, 2006

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...watchable yet entirely forgettable...

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 11, 2022

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Owen McNally

Hartford Courant

Aside from Russell's shameless performance, the movie is also afflicted with easily anticipated sight gags.

Apr 18, 2018

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TV Guide

A bland, seagoing, feature-length sitcom which recycles the displaced-dad theme from the studio's recent hit What About Bob? to little effect.

Rated: 1.5/5

Nov 22, 2016

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ser t

I really don't understand why this movie is ranked so low. It is fun family entertainment that is a little rough around the edges to keep it from being ranked a G. The role swap between Short and Russell with Short being the straight family man and Russell being the goofball is very well played. I think Short could've added to his career the way Robin Williams did when he did serious roles if he'd continued down this path. The shenanigans are hilarious and there are life lessons about family togetherness, the joys and perils of travel, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is one of my top five favorite movies and I keep coming back to it to raise my spirits when I need a good laugh. I also wonder if when Kurt's son Wyatt referenced someone as "swab" in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, it was a tip of the the hat to his father in this film. If you haven't seen this movie, give it a try, especially if you are a Kurt Russell or Martin Short fan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Richard W

Captain Ron is the perfect family adventure film! It’s a fish out-of-water, comedy-of-errors storyline. It’s charming. It’s goofy. It’s kid friendly but entertaining for adults. If you’ve ever dreamed of buying a boat and taking off for high seas, then this is the film for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Christopher J

great movie funny and adventurous

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

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Reid T

Captain Ron perfectly captures owning a boat. It imagines the best parts and makes boat owners live through the worst parts. I watch this movie at least once a year and it never disappoints.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/24

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ka p

It took me three days to watch it. Sailing is actually more horrific than you can imagine. The antics were a tad silly but they were bad experiences which is what characterizes sailing. I can't believe people do it. My next sail will have to be at least 60' and have a great washer and dryer and ac.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/24

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Audience Member

Fun adventure movie. Always been one I watched growing up by catching it on tv.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/24

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Thom Eberhardt

Director

Kurt Russell

Captain Ron

Martin Short

Martin Harvey

Mary Kay Place

Katherine Harvey

Benjamin Salisbury

Benjamin Harvey

Meadow Sisto

Caroline Harvey

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Synopsis

When mild-mannered Martin Harvey (Martin Short) finds out that he has inherited a vintage yacht, he decides to take his family on a Caribbean vacation to retrieve the vessel. Upon arriving on a small island and realizing that the ship is in rough shape, Martin and his family end up with more than they bargained for as the roguish Captain Ron (Kurt Russell) signs on to sail the boat to Miami. It doesn't take long before Ron's anything-goes antics get the Harveys into plenty of trouble.

Director: Thom Eberhardt
Producer: David Permut, Paige Simpson
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1, Permut Presentations
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1992, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.5M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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