Ernest Scared Stupid

Play trailer

Ernest Scared Stupid

PG

Released Oct 11, 1991

1h 31m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is working as a garbage collector in a small Missouri town. Despite the warnings of superstitious local Old Lady Hackmore (Eartha Kitt), he accidentally unleashes devious troll Trantor (Jonas Moscartolo), a slimy creature confined under a tree for 200 years. Trantor changes some kids into wooden dolls and turns Ernest's dog, Rimshot, into a log. Ernest then teams up with Old Lady Hackmore to get rid of the beast and bring the victims back to life.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

This farcical kids versus gloopy monster comedy-horror adventure might please nostalgic parents but Ernest is unlikely to find any new fans with this outing.

Nov 4, 2024

Full Review

Avaryl Halley

Movie Bitches

The best of the Ernest Movies. The practical FX are amazing!

Apr 24, 2024

Full Review

Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

Is this the inspiration for Hocus Pocus?

Rated: 6.5/10

Apr 24, 2024

Full Review

Austin Kennedy

Sin Magazine

In a perfect world, the kids from THE MONSTER SQUAD would've teams up with Ernest to battle the trolls. Now THAT would be a fun movie!

Rated: 2/4

May 21, 2012

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 1/5

Jan 27, 2005

Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 1/5

Jan 30, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

Brad R.

As a kid this movie was everything! By far the best one out of the Ernest movies and still holds up now!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Guy M

I cant help but give this movie love it was always my favorite of the Ernest besides "Goes To Jail"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the scariest creatures put in a children's movie, but once you get past that the movie has a fun atmosphere that only an Ernest movie can provide.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

Full Review

Anton H

Arguably just as fondly remembered as “Hocus Pocus”, this was a ‘90s kids’ must-see for Halloween season. Young kids today will also get a real kick out of it. Innocent, harmless, silly fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

Full Review

Max M

This has always been my favorite Halloween movie to pull out to watch with my kids. The humor is easy to get, Trantor is scary enough for the kids without needing gore (just snot), and it has a satisfying beginning, middle and end. The child actors are the weakest part but who cares? They're kids, and the main attraction is Ernest vs Trolls.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

DennisFeinsteinCEO

Every family should watch this movie together during the Halloween season. It's such a fun watch 🎃🦇👻🕸️🕷️

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John R. Cherry III

Director

Jim Varney

Ernest

Eartha Kitt

Old Lady Hackmore

Austin Nagler

Kenny

Shay Astar

Elizabeth

Jonas Moscartolo

Trantor

3 Ninjas

35%

53%

3 Ninjas

Watchlist

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid

38%

24%

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid

Watchlist

Life With Mikey

25%

39%

Life With Mikey

Watchlist

Ernest Saves Christmas

40%

43%

Ernest Saves Christmas

Watchlist

Big Top Pee-wee

36%

31%

Big Top Pee-wee

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is working as a garbage collector in a small Missouri town. Despite the warnings of superstitious local Old Lady Hackmore (Eartha Kitt), he accidentally unleashes devious troll Trantor (Jonas Moscartolo), a slimy creature confined under a tree for 200 years. Trantor changes some kids into wooden dolls and turns Ernest's dog, Rimshot, into a log. Ernest then teams up with Old Lady Hackmore to get rid of the beast and bring the victims back to life.

Director: John R. Cherry III
Producer: Stacy Williams, Coke Sams
Screenwriter: Charles Gale, Coke Sams
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 1991, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.1M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now