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Encino Man

Play trailer Poster for Encino Man PG 1992 1h 29m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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17% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 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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Encino Man

Encino Man

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: D+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review 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 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...watchable yet somewhat disappointing... Rated: 2.5/4 May 9, 2021 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant The strongest contender imaginable for the worst picture of the summer. Apr 10, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $40,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Encino Man

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Cast & Crew

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Les Mayfield

Director

Sean Astin

Dave

Brendan Fraser

Link

Pauly Shore

Stoney Brown

Megan Ward

Robyn Sweeney

Robin Tunney

Ella

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Encino Man

Encino Man (1992) Encino Man (1992) View more photos

Movie Info

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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