Flubber

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Flubber

PG

Released Nov 26, 1997

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

24%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

33%

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250,000+ Ratings

Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) is experimenting with new kinds of energy, and he thinks this project will save struggling Medfield College, where his girlfriend, Sara (Marcia Gay Harden), is president. But when he discovers a lively, rubber-like substance dubbed flubber, he gets so excited, he absent-mindedly misses his own wedding. Sara dumps him, so he tries to use his discovery to win her back; unfortunately, the mischievous flubber seems to have a mind of its own.

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Critics Consensus

With its overactive focus on special effects and tiresome slapstick, Flubber squanders the immense talent of its cast and crew.

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Robert Philpot

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Replaces the original's audience-pleasing sweetness with an audiences-are-suckers cynicism.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

A cute, well-meaning, but ultimately disappointing movie. Williams, an enormously busy actor these days, seems tired here--and so does a lot of the slapstick.

Mar 5, 2018

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Robin Williams is given no room to stretch. He's stuck mooning over a romance that will bore youngsters.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 9, 2018

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Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Kids should take to it like Jell-O pudding.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 6, 2024

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Christine Dolen

Miami Herald

How you could have a proven script, a star with the kinetic improvisational genius of Robin Williams and the best computer-generated effects money can buy and still have created a movie this dull is mind-boggling.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Kids may be amused, but there is nothing here for an adult. Just another example of how special effects have ruined Hollywood.

Rated: D

Jan 10, 2023

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K G

Flubber is both fun & really nonsensical. There were some crazy parts, like when Weebo lifted her lid of GIFs from other media's to reflect her thoughts, like there was Simpsons which is creepy of what we know now - then it was exciting that we were represented her in human form as her goodbye. Robin Williams encouraged me to see this - I was afraid to see this because it could be gross looking but with him as the main role so I could believe that it would be a really fun movie. Well, just because a movie stars a beloved actor, does not mean it will always be a masterpiece. Robin Williams was the hero of the story when inventing flubber, it came onto other people & made people go high & bouncing back. There was a dilemma, to either be with Sara, stay with his inventions or save the college. There are movies depicting Robin Williams in a struggling relationship like this & Mrs Doubtfire. The best part would be all the Flubber figures dance number which was lovely & cute. I only look at this because I was more aware of this than the origional (like I saw it as a trailer on a Disney VHS I had).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Stephen C

The worst of Robin Williams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $93,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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Ed R

Not as good as I once remembered

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Filippos S

Robin's worst movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Tyler C

I don't understand the hate this movie gets. Its funny and entertaining for all ages. Robin williams is great in it along with a perfectly casted crew. 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Deeds F

oooooooooouuuugghhhhhh Im flubbing oooooughhh flubber

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

Full Review

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Les Mayfield

Director

Robin Williams

Professor Philip Brainard

Marcia Gay Harden

Dr. Sara Jean Reynolds

Christopher McDonald

Wilson Croft

Raymond J. Barry

Chester Hoenicker

Clancy Brown

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Synopsis

Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) is experimenting with new kinds of energy, and he thinks this project will save struggling Medfield College, where his girlfriend, Sara (Marcia Gay Harden), is president. But when he discovers a lively, rubber-like substance dubbed flubber, he gets so excited, he absent-mindedly misses his own wedding. Sara dumps him, so he tries to use his discovery to win her back; unfortunately, the mischievous flubber seems to have a mind of its own.

Director: Les Mayfield
Producer: Ricardo Mestres, John Hughes
Screenwriter: Samuel W. Taylor, John Hughes, Bill Walsh
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Great Oaks Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 26, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $93.0M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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