It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

G

Released Nov 7, 1963

2h 55m

Comedy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.

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Critics Consensus

It's long, frantic, and stuffed to the gills with comic actors and set pieces -- and that's exactly its charm.

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

Stanley Kramer strikes out again with this elephantine 1963 attempt at uproarious comedy.

Nov 7, 2007

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Variety Staff

Variety

The comic competition is so keen that it is impossible to single out any one participant as outstanding.

Nov 7, 2007

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Time Out

Kramer's 'comedy to end all comedy' stretches its material to snapping point but offers happy hours of star-spotting.

Feb 9, 2006

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

So many funny scenes. Ethel Merman steals the movie

Mar 23, 2025

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

This is a grim new variant of the old knockabout form, a comedy that deliberately brutalises every convention that makes people laugh. What it be comes, not surprisingly, is a comedy hat makes people feel battered and bleak.

Mar 6, 2024

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Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

It's a comic's field day. We haven't seen such a salute to the gift of lunacy for decades.

Aug 8, 2022

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Robert L

It is one of my all time favorite movies. Definitely my favorite comedy. Great group of actors and non-stop action. I saw it for the first time with my Dad when it came out in 1963.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

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Honnest Jonn

The original comedy epic, containing the ultimate all-star cast of comedy legends! Non-stop laughs, historic locations all around Southern California, and some heart stopping stunts and car chases!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/23

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Andrew W.

The number one needy comedy of all time. Full stop.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Alejandro E

Whether or not it's a classic from the 1960s, the fact is that watching a motley crew of men and women go in pursuit of treasure for nearly three hours is a rather amusing, jocular exercise. To watch and relax.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Stephen C

2 hours and 55 minutes is too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Clark J

Possibly a bit over hyped, and definitely over analyzed by those who live by being negative, it’s a fun, chaotic movie with many laughs and zero subtlety . Worth seeing again every 10 years. The ending was a major disappointment, so enjoy the journey.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Spencer Tracy

Capt. T.G. Culpeper

Edie Adams

Monica Crump

Milton Berle

J. Russell Finch

Jimmy Durante

Smiler Grogan

Jonathan Winters

Lennie Pike

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Synopsis

The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Tania Rose, William Rose
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Casey Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 19, 2016
Runtime: 2h 55m
Aspect Ratio: Cinerama (2.59:1), Scope (2.35:1)

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