Dinner for Schmucks

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Dinner for Schmucks

PG-13

2010

1h 54m

Comedy

Adventure

Action

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

185 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Tim (Paul Rudd) a rising executive, works for a boss who hosts a monthly event in which the guest who brings the biggest buffoon gets a career boost. Though he declines the invitation at first, he changes his mind when he meets Barry (Steve Carell), a man who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. The scheme backfires when Barry's blundering good intentions send Tim's life into a downward spiral, threatening a major business deal and possibly scuttling Tim's romantic relationship.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't honor its source material -- or its immensely likable leads -- as well as it should, but Dinner for Schmucks offers fitfully nourishing comedy.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Sep 30, 2010

2/5

It cost around $70 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, which is about $5 million per laugh if I'm generous.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Sep 29, 2010

1/5

When scene after scene falls flat, and the film seems a lot longer than it actually is, you know that this is a comedy that just isn't working.

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Jim Schembri

The Age (Australia)

Sep 28, 2010

1/5

Steve Carell and Paul Rudd fizzle in this dire, painfully overlong comedy bomb.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 9, 2023

2.5/4

Though filled with notable stars and plenty of hilarious bit roles, the movie as a whole drags and annoys, and ultimately proves a little two-faced.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jul 18, 2022

It's worth staying until the end. [Full review in Spanish]

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 29, 2020

6/10

The majority of comedy comes from Carell, who singlehandedly serves up a combination of slapstick, contorted facial expressions, immaturity, and introverted conversations.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 8, 2026

This movie is only worthy of 2 stars!

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Aug 5, 2026

I found this to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. It also had a great ending. I haven't any idea why there are so many low ratings.

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Daniel M

@RT26891675 Jul 19, 2026

I don't get the low ratings for this. The scenes with Zach Galifianakis are some of the funniest stuff I've ever seen. One thing I have is a total aversion to is watching people get embarrassed. It's like a phobia for me but I didn't get that from this movie. One of my favorite comedies.

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James H

@RT22708432 May 12, 2026

If you come in with an open mind and not as a critic picking it apart, it’s fun. It’s not perfect far from it but cute and fun no violence no gratuitous breast shot no nonsense just clean fun.

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Shawan L

@ShawanLLibang Jan 22, 2026

Dinner for Schmucks leans on awkward, mean‑spirited humor that rarely lands. The jokes feel repetitive, the pacing drags, and even the talented cast can’t elevate a script that mistakes chaos for comedy. By the time the big dinner arrives, the movie has already run out of charm.

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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. Jan 21, 2026

When I saw this at the theater I didn't like it. However, after seeing it on cable a few times, I have changed my opinion. Strong cast, many laughs and some heartwarming stuff. No, not perfect and some stuff that ain't great. However, as a whole, pretty good.

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Jay Roach

Director

Steve Carell

Barry

Paul Rudd

Tim

Bruce Greenwood

Lance Fender

Ron Livingston

Caldwell

Jemaine Clement

Kieran

Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - Meeting Barry

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - I Need to Be Spanked

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - An Awkward Proposal

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - The Lion and the Penguin

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - From Beyond the Plate

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - Mind Control vs. Brain Control

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - Therman's Laugh

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - A Naughty Little Penguin

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - Idiots Attack

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Dinner for Schmucks: Official Clip - In Her Naughty Purse

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Critics Consensus: Dinner for Schmucks Serves Up An OK Time

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Synopsis

Tim (Paul Rudd) a rising executive, works for a boss who hosts a monthly event in which the guest who brings the biggest buffoon gets a career boost. Though he declines the invitation at first, he changes his mind when he meets Barry (Steve Carell), a man who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. The scheme backfires when Barry's blundering good intentions send Tim's life into a downward spiral, threatening a major business deal and possibly scuttling Tim's romantic relationship.

Director: Jay Roach
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Jay Roach
Screenwriter: David Guion, Michael Handelman
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Everyman Pictures, Parkes/MacDonald
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Crude and Sexual Content|Some Partial Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $73.0M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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