Drop Dead Fred

Play trailer

2:08

Drop Dead Fred

PG-13

Released Apr 19, 1991

1h 43m

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

An unhappy housewife (Phoebe Cates) gets a lift from the return of her imaginary childhood friend, Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Tackling mature themes with an infantile sensibility, Drop Dead Fred is an ill-conceived family comedy that is more likely to stir up a headache than the imagination.

Read Critics Reviews

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

Drop Dead Fred is an erratic stab at making madness sensible, a slapstick nightmare that goes too sane, that tries too hard to be both good and rotten.

May 5, 2014

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

This is easily one of the worst films I've ever seen.

Rated: 0/4

May 5, 2014

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

The episodic flashbacks are cast in an unfunny Freudian light -- domineering mother, helpless hubby, the tragically withdrawn child. What a laugh riot!

Rated: 1.5/4

May 5, 2014

Full Review

Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

The crucial problem of course is that for a comedy, it's not really very funny.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Fred is a particularly crass, unappealing imaginary friend, going out of his way to stir up trouble more than engaging in fun activities.

Rated: 5/10

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Jorge Loser

Espinof

A fantastic cult comedy. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Connie T

Sadly, you never quite know what you've got until it's gone, and that goes for Rik. This is such an underrated movie, in which he was brilliant. It is funny, heart warming and subtly deals with trauma and mental health. I watched it when I was much younger and didn't think much of it. 30 odd years later I can appreciate the storyline.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

Full Review

Marlene D

GREAT FUNNY FILM, Especially with children but funny as an adult as well. The Fact that it was at 11% Before my rating PROVES THAT ROTTEN TOMATOES IS USED MOSTLY BY PEDOCRATS WITH NO SENSE OF HUMOR!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

Full Review

Audience Member

One of a kind. Absolute classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

S B

Guess it's not for everyone. I loved it as a kid and love it as an adult, and my kids love it. It's a staple for this wacky family. Rik Mayall eats.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Gorptholemew T

🍀 5.3/10 I’ve been shitting out these reviews left and right I don’t even know what to say anymore. yes it was semi endearing semi homicidal. Is chuckle worthy but idk I didn’t fuck with it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

Full Review

Candis S

This is such a good movie! Rik Mayall nailed this performance. The entire cast, Phoebe Cates, Marsha Mason, Tim Matheson, Carrie Fisher, are all fantastic and perfect! It's not a campy kids movie, it's comedy brilliance, pure gold!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ate de Jong

Director

Phoebe Cates

Elizabeth

Rik Mayall

Drop Dead Fred

Marsha Mason

Polly

Tim Matheson

Charles

Carrie Fisher

Janie

Paperhouse

100%

71%

Paperhouse

Watchlist

Radio Flyer

35%

72%

Radio Flyer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Radio Flyer

Dream a Little Dream

9%

67%

Dream a Little Dream

Watchlist

Prelude to a Kiss

63%

39%

Prelude to a Kiss

Watchlist

Mr. Destiny

35%

56%

Mr. Destiny

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Drop Dead Fred: Trailer 1

2:08

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

An unhappy housewife (Phoebe Cates) gets a lift from the return of her imaginary childhood friend, Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall).

Director: Ate de Jong
Producer: Paul Webster
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Livingston, Carlos Davis, Anthony Fingleton
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.9M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Most Popular at Home Now