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Houseboat

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Houseboat

Released Jan 1, 1958

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Tom Winston (Cary Grant) is struggling to raise his three children on his own after his wife's death. After meeting the charming and beautiful Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren) at a concert, he hires her as a live-in nanny. Unbeknown to Tom, Cinzia is actually a European socialite on the run from her domineering father (Harry Guardino) and has absolutely no experience with cooking, cleaning or raising children. She does, however, have an interest in Tom.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Warm romance classic has realistic kid behavior.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

This is a warm romantic comedy that is exceptionally perceptive and sensitive about the feelings of the children.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 13, 2002

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It goes without saying that Grant and Loren make a handsome couple, but the script doesn’t always proceed smoothly.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 10, 2025

Full Review

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Innocent romantic comedy isn't one of Grant's best, but he and Loren make for interesting watching in close quarters.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 6, 2005

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Tony Medley

tonymedley.com

Rated: 2/5

May 29, 2005

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2004

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Farah R

Cary Grant is amazing as always, but Sophia Lauren really can't act. Luckily, she's gorgeous, so it's easy to overlook what she lacks. As a whole, Houseboat isn't a great movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Audience Member

Houseboat is a sweet and warm romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren who share wonderful chemistry on the big screen. The performances from Grant and Loren are charming, the costume designs were pretty spectacular, and it was pretty funny. Overall, Houseboat is a sweet, pleasant, and enjoyable film with a lot of charm for everyone.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've only seen Sophia Loren in two films - this one and Arabesque with Gregory Peck. Legend has it Arabesque was intended for Cary Grant, following Charade. This is a challenging premise: a widowed father with estranged children that can't stand him. Instead of being split up; the daughter living with grandparents and the sons living with their aunt, Grant keeps the family together. One thing after another, they end up on a houseboat. Wackiness and reconciliation ensue.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Boring and unrealistic.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/09/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Blobbo saw this long time ago. Remember not like. (Also remember hate hate song Sofia sing.)(Hate hate hate, even, maybe.) (Plus, Grant 30 years older than Loren. Could almost be grandfather.)

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

steve d

Both stars have been in better but it is still a lot of fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Melville Shavelson

Director

Cary Grant

Tom Winters

Sophia Loren

Cinzia Zaccardi

Martha Hyer

Carolyn Gibson

Harry Guardino

Angelo Donatello

Eduardo Ciannelli

Arturo Zaccardi, Cinzia's father

Houseboat: Official Clip - The Houseboat

1:41

Houseboat: Official Clip - You Can't Lose Anything

2:04

Houseboat: Official Clip - Cinzia Stays

2:13

Houseboat: Official Clip - A Parent, Not a Policeman

2:13

Houseboat: Official Clip - Angelo Gets Cold Feet

2:08

Houseboat: Official Clip - Goodnight Ladies and Gentlemen

1:43

Houseboat: Official Clip - Perhaps I Will Get a Job

0:52

Houseboat: Official Clip - Cheating the Ring Toss

2:11

Houseboat: Official Clip - Home Wreck

2:07

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Synopsis

Tom Winston (Cary Grant) is struggling to raise his three children on his own after his wife's death. After meeting the charming and beautiful Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren) at a concert, he hires her as a live-in nanny. Unbeknown to Tom, Cinzia is actually a European socialite on the run from her domineering father (Harry Guardino) and has absolutely no experience with cooking, cleaning or raising children. She does, however, have an interest in Tom.

Director: Melville Shavelson
Producer: Jack Rose
Screenwriter: Jack Rose, Melville Shavelson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1958, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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