Encino Man

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Encino Man

PG

1992

1h 29m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

17%

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36 Reviews

56%

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100,000+ Ratings

California teen Dave Morgan (Sean Astin) is digging a pit for a pool in his backyard when he happens upon a caveman frozen in a block of ice. Aided by his goofy friend Stoney (Pauly Shore), Dave transports their discovery to his garage, where the Neanderthal thaws and is revived. When Dave and Stoney find the living and thoroughly bewildered caveman, they attempt to pass him off as a foreign exchange student named Link (Brendan Fraser), resulting in many misadventures.

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Critics Consensus

Encino Man isn't the first unabashedly silly comedy to embrace its stupidity and amass a cult following, but whether or not it works for you will largely be determined by your tolerance for Pauly Shore.

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Hugo Davenport

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The warp factor of Shore's customized Californian dialect goes well beyond Wayne's World. In fact I found it as inscrutable as the reason why anyone at all should go see this movie, save for Brendan Fraser's lumbering enthusiasm as Link.

Jun 6, 2023

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

The film, school of Bob and Ted and Wayne and Garth, but inferior in all regards, illustrates the Theory of Reverse Evolution.

Nov 13, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

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Branyan Towe

Loud and Clear Reviews

The plot is nonsensical, with more telling the audience rather than showing, especially when it comes to the arcs of the characters. With that said, I had quite a bit of fun with this nonsense

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2024

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...watchable yet somewhat disappointing...

Rated: 2.5/4

May 9, 2021

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

The strongest contender imaginable for the worst picture of the summer.

Apr 10, 2018

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Fawn J

This is one of those movies that take you back. It makes me laugh every time. You can actually see the genuine joy that Brendan Fraser had playing this role. Also, that cast is full of faces we all recognize in many other projects and films. As for Pauly Shore, people tend it hate on him, just to hate on him. It is all for fun and if you are not in for fun, don't watch this film. It is not for the serious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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David D

I thought this would be one of those so-bad-it's-good films. NOPE!! This film is so dull and lifeless. No funny lines, no good punchlines, just a caveman making a goofy face at something modern. On top of that, its so dated and bizzare and it just falls very flat. This is one of the worst pictures ive ever seen!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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Henry J

This movie is very goofy and you get laughs from this movie this movie changed my life for a good cause It made me smile so much I can’t stop laughing at this film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Jessica D

This film is just so freaking dull!! It’s just the caveman being introduced to something and making a funny face! That’s it! No comic potential what so ever.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

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Cork B

I mean, I can't really give this 5 stars or anything - the plot, premise and acting are BEYOND stupid. But it has an undeniable charm to its goofiness... maybe not as well done as Bill and Ted, but it is light and breezy and has a positive message about friendship as a backdrop.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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AnnMarie T

I LOVED it when I was an adolescent/ teenager. Haven’t seen it since then. Not sure what I’d think about it now but I have fond memories of it. It may be just for teenagers & nostalgic/ silly movie appreciators like me!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

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Les Mayfield

Director

Sean Astin

Dave

Brendan Fraser

Link

Pauly Shore

Stoney Brown

Megan Ward

Robyn Sweeney

Robin Tunney

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Synopsis

California teen Dave Morgan (Sean Astin) is digging a pit for a pool in his backyard when he happens upon a caveman frozen in a block of ice. Aided by his goofy friend Stoney (Pauly Shore), Dave transports their discovery to his garage, where the Neanderthal thaws and is revived. When Dave and Stoney find the living and thoroughly bewildered caveman, they attempt to pass him off as a foreign exchange student named Link (Brendan Fraser), resulting in many misadventures.

Director: Les Mayfield
Producer: George Zaloom
Screenwriter: Shawn Schepps
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Encino Man Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 22, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.0M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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