Ernest Goes to Jail

PG

Released Apr 6, 1990

1h 21m

Comedy

List

11%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

49%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Dim-witted Ernest (Jim Varney) is a janitor at a bank who gets called for jury duty. It turns out that the murder defendant, Felix Nash (also Varney), is a dead ringer for Ernest. Nash's lawyer (Jeffrey Buckner Ford) arranges a switch, and Ernest finds himself on death row while Nash goes to work at the bank, scheming up a way to rob it. Ernest then sets in motion a plan to escape jail, foil Nash's plot, snag the bank clerk job he covets and rescue his favorite teller, Charlotte (Barbara Bush).

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Ryan Murphy

Miami Herald

The arrival of any film featuring the character of Ernest P. Worrell is a perfect occasion to brush up one's Dorothy Parker chestnuts and scream what' is perhaps her most famous phrase: "What fresh hell is this?"

Rated: 1/4

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 2/5

Mar 7, 2003

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 12, 2005

Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

Jim Varney at the peak of his comedic powers, playing two instantly distinctive roles. If you only ever see one Ernest movie, make it this one.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 24, 2004

Full Review

Greg Maki

Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Rated: 1/5

Jan 5, 2004

Full Review

Frank Ochieng

TheWorldJournal.com

Here's one fictitious Ernest sequel that fits my sentiments exactly: "Ernest Gets on my Last Nerve". "Nuff said...

Rated: 2/5

May 31, 2003

Full Review

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John T. H

this is the best one! know what I mean?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

Mark B

This movie is an absolute classic one of the best Ernest movies out there. This film really shows off Jim varney's acting chops. The fact that he plays two of the main characters is amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

enderman p

This movie was funny and very creative

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

Full Review

Jackie S

I enjoyed this a lot, very entertaining, I recommended

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/05/23

Full Review

daniel m

I hate giving this movie two stars because I loved it as a child, but as an adult it didn't age well and I didn't enjoy it at all. Ernest was annoying and not really funny. Even though I loved it when I was younger, it didn't bring back that much nostalgia.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Timmy S

Awesome!!! It's a crime this movie got snubbed at the 1991 Oscars:

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/22

Full Review

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John R. Cherry III

Director

Jim Varney

Ernest P. Worrell

Gailard Sartain

Chuck

Bill Byrge

Bobby

Barbara Tyson

Charlotte Sparrow

Barry Scott

Rubin Bartlett

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Synopsis

Dim-witted Ernest (Jim Varney) is a janitor at a bank who gets called for jury duty. It turns out that the murder defendant, Felix Nash (also Varney), is a dead ringer for Ernest. Nash's lawyer (Jeffrey Buckner Ford) arranges a switch, and Ernest finds himself on death row while Nash goes to work at the bank, scheming up a way to rob it. Ernest then sets in motion a plan to escape jail, foil Nash's plot, snag the bank clerk job he covets and rescue his favorite teller, Charlotte (Barbara Bush).

Director: John R. Cherry III
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 6, 1990, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.0M
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Surround

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