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Howard the Duck

Play trailer Poster for Howard the Duck PG 1986 1h 51m Sci-Fi Action Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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13% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 38% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In this film based on the comic book character, Howard the Duck is suddenly beamed from Duckworld, a planet of intelligent ducks with arms and legs, to Earth, where he lands in Cleveland. There he saves rocker Beverly (Lea Thompson) from thugs and forms a friendship with her. She introduces him to Phil (Tim Robbins), who works at a lab with scientist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones). When the doctor attempts to return Howard to his world, Jenning instead transfers an evil spirit into his own body.
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Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck

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Critics Consensus

While it has its moments, Howard the Duck suffers from an uneven tone and mediocre performances.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton Sydney Morning Herald There are a few good jokes along the way, but the final effect is that we've been here rather too many times before. Dec 15, 2020 Full Review Michael Shmith The Age (Australia) This creature with a mobile bill, scrawny body, and with a voice like Humphrey Bogart proves irritating beyond belief. Also, Howard has the glassy eyes of a doll and an artificiality that even his brusque, wise-quacking manner cannot quite conceal. Dec 15, 2020 Full Review David Robinson The Times (UK) There must have been a terrible moment, many millions of collars into the production of Howard, when everyone realised it was not going to work either as comedy or thriller, as kid's stuff or sophisticated fore. Dec 15, 2020 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews This was a bad movie when it was released. It is a bad movie today. And it will continue to be a bad movie long after this planet ceases to exist. Rated: 1/4 May 6, 2024 Full Review Avaryl Halley Movie Bitches I like this better than the Prequels. The choices are strong and wrong…I mean they storyboarded duck tits!! Rated: 6/10 Apr 24, 2024 Full Review Andrew Galdi Movie Bitches I honestly think if you rescored this movie you could improve it by 50% Rated: 4.5/10 Apr 24, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alberto R i like this movie Howard the duck i never watch this before but i like thank You for make this movie i like it so much Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/25 Full Review Petros T The first part isn't horrible: it's formulaic, sure, but it runs on the novelty factor of the character and premise. Much has been said about the duck costume, and though its lack of expressiveness doesn't help, it's a quirk you accept and go along with. What's tougher to swallow is the unconvincing Thompson, overblown plot, janky effects and insistence on cringey humour undermining every potential semblance of suspense, as well as the sense that they're biting off a lot more than they can chew. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/25 Full Review Gregory S This movie is absolutely terrible. What makes it worse, is that this was the first theatrically released Marvel movie ever made. A truly terrible and embarrassing start. Glad they improved. Whoever chose this as the first should be in some type of psych ward. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/25 Full Review peanutbutter m HELL NO!!!!!! one of the worst movies ever. What was Tom Robins thinking? Oh yeah. I need money and will do every- and anything. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/21/25 Full Review Charlie R I watched it 20 years ago and hated it. I watched it again and love it. I need the guardians. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Chris W. Great film. I don’t understand the hate. It’s silly and fun. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Howard the Duck

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Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck: Official Clip - The Dark Overlord Howard the Duck: Official Clip - The Dark Overlord 3:02 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Taking Flight Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Taking Flight 1:37 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Howard's Wallet Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Howard's Wallet 2:30 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Intense Animal Magnetism Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Intense Animal Magnetism 2:32 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - A Brewski at Beverly's Howard the Duck: Official Clip - A Brewski at Beverly's 2:15 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - No More Mr. Nice Duck Howard the Duck: Official Clip - No More Mr. Nice Duck 2:21 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - I'm a Freak Howard the Duck: Official Clip - I'm a Freak 1:48 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Me Phil, You Howard Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Me Phil, You Howard 1:45 Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Smog Inspection Howard the Duck: Official Clip - Smog Inspection 1:35 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this film based on the comic book character, Howard the Duck is suddenly beamed from Duckworld, a planet of intelligent ducks with arms and legs, to Earth, where he lands in Cleveland. There he saves rocker Beverly (Lea Thompson) from thugs and forms a friendship with her. She introduces him to Phil (Tim Robbins), who works at a lab with scientist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones). When the doctor attempts to return Howard to his world, Jenning instead transfers an evil spirit into his own body.
Director
Willard Huyck
Producer
Gloria Katz, Robert Latham Brown
Screenwriter
Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz
Production Co
Lucasfilm Ltd., Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.0M
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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