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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Play trailer Poster for Honey, I Shrunk the Kids PG 1989 1h 30m Kids & Family Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. When Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device -- which he thinks is a failure -- and dumps it in the trash, throwing out the kids along with it. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants.
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

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Critics Consensus

Even as its special effects take center stage, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids still offers a charming, high-spirited sense of adventure for the whole family.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
[It's] in the best tradition of Disney -- and even better than that, because it is not so juvenile that adults won't be thoroughly entertained. Go to Full Review
Derek Adams Time Out 02/09/2006
Sterling entertainment... Go to Full Review
Caryn James New York Times 05/20/2003
An old-fashioned romp that conveys a sense of wonder simply by placing young actors next to fantastic oversized props. Go to Full Review
Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania 06/17/2024
4/5
A kid-friendly version that pays homage to the 1957 sci-fi classic The Incredible Shrinking Man [with] the still-impressive special effects, thanks to Joe Johnston’s extensive VFX background in the original Star Wars trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Go to Full Review
Bill Brownstein Montreal Gazette 07/25/2023
2.5/5
No matter what kind of consciousness-raising posture its makers may take, "Honey" is more a triumph of special effects than a social statement. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 06/22/2022
Very enjoyable to watch…a providential solution to taking the kids to the movie, without parental sacrifice. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 29 Revisiting Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a reminder of just how timeless and inventive a Disney classic can be. The film remains an undeniably charming piece of family entertainment, blending adventure, humor, and groundbreaking creativity in a way that still resonates decades later. Rick Moranis delivers a wonderfully engaging performance as Wayne Szalinski, the well-meaning inventor whose experimental device accidentally shrinks his own children, setting the stage for one of Disney’s most imaginative stories. The ensemble cast works beautifully together, with each young actor bringing personality and charm to their role. Their chemistry is evident in every scene, and the way they play off one another gives the film a warmth that elevates the high-concept premise. The direction capitalizes on that dynamic, allowing each character’s quirks, fears, and strengths to shine while building a world that feels alive, oversized, and endlessly inventive. The screenplay is one of the film’s greatest strengths. It balances humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments in a way that feels effortless. While there are minor moments that might feel slightly dated or could have been refined, the majority of the writing remains sharp, engaging, and incredibly fun. It’s a script that knows how to keep audiences invested while exploring the imaginative possibilities of a shrunken-down world. What truly sets the movie apart is its creativity. The production design and effects—especially for their time—are astonishing. The oversized landscapes, giant insects, and imaginative set pieces create a sense of wonder that makes the audience feel just as small and vulnerable as the characters. Seeing the kids interact with an ant larger than themselves remains one of the most memorable and endearing parts of the film. The film’s sense of adventure is matched by its emotional core. There’s a genuine sweetness that runs throughout the story, particularly in the way the kids rely on one another and rediscover their relationships while navigating the dangers of their now-enormous backyard. That balance of heart and spectacle is what gives the film its lasting appeal. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is absolutely worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time. It delivers on creativity, character, and adventure, offering a fun and imaginative escape that still feels fresh. From the iconic "giant ant" moment to the simple chaos caused by a baseball, it remains one of Disney’s most inventive achievements and a true family classic. See more Noel L Nov 11 What an adventure with a bit of The Goonies vibe. The special effects might've been slightly dated but the sets were incredible See more Chief B Oct 18 Loved this movie as a kid and I kinda still like it See more Shaun R @Shaun666 Sep 23 Discounting the nostalgia, there’s enough here to pass as a half decent family film. See more GotRizz237 Sep 9 Really funny movie. A really great classic comedy. See more M B Aug 22 Terrible movie, I walked out of the cinema when it was originally released. See more Read all reviews
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

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Movie Info

Synopsis When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. When Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device -- which he thinks is a failure -- and dumps it in the trash, throwing out the kids along with it. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants.
Director
Joe Johnston
Producer
Penney Finkelman Cox
Screenwriter
Ed Naha, Tom Schulman
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 23, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$130.2M
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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