Meatballs

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Meatballs

PG

Released Jun 28, 1979

1h 32m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Tripper (Bill Murray) is the head counselor at a budget summer camp called Camp Northstar. In truth, he's young at heart and only marginally more mature than the campers themselves. Tripper befriends Rudy (Chris Makepeace), a loner camper who has trouble fitting in. As Tripper inspires his young charges to defeat rival Camp Mohawk in the annual Olympiad competition, Rudy plays matchmaker between Tripper and Roxanne (Kate Lynch), a female counselor at Northstar.

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Critics Consensus

Meatballs is a summer camp comedy with few surprises, but Bill Murray's riffing adds a spark that sets it apart from numerous subpar entries in a frequently uninspired genre.

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James Jackson

Times (UK)

Along with the set pieces of comic disaster there’s also a touching (sort of) subplot as Tripper brings the shy boy Rudy (Chris Makepeace) out of his shell and makes him realise his true worth.

Nov 18, 2022

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Yardena Arar

Associated Press

If one or two fall flat, so what. The next probably will hit your funnybone.

Sep 20, 2019

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Frank Rich

TIME Magazine

Through it all, Murray smiles and forges ahead, but his big riffs have been edited down to frantic bursts of mugging.

Oct 5, 2008

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Ed Travis

Hollywood Jesus

...while Meatballs is not a very good movie, you still kind of wish you could have gone to Camp North Star as a camper.

Mar 31, 2020

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Nathanael Hood

Nate Hood Reviews

Amusing in an antiquated way? Perhaps. But funny? No.

Rated: 5/10

Feb 2, 2020

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Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

I can't really say Meatballs is a great film, it's a silly, stupid summer movie, and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

Aug 22, 2017

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Mary-Ann K

Bill Murray makes this movie the timeless masterpiece it is. ANY one who's ever been to summer camp will connect with this fun ride. It's one of my favorite go-to comedies when I need silliness, fun gags and a lot of heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

Full Review

Chris G

Propped up by Murray in a scene stealing performance, it's a pretty standard summer camp teen flick but the future icon just *nails* his debut with charm, charisma, and comedic timing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

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Charles M

My favorite Bill Murray movie by far.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

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B Rad

Great summer comedy! Bill Murray at his finest, must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/23

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Rachel S

It's a classic! It is a must see in our house every year! The cast is pretty funny!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/23

Full Review

Alex C

Because it just doesn't matter!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/23

Full Review

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Ivan Reitman

Director

Bill Murray

Tripper

Chris Makepeace

Rudy

Kate Lynch

Roxanne

Harvey Atkin

Morty

Kristine DeBell

A.L.

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Meatballs: Official Clip - We Are the North Star C.I.T.s

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Meatballs: Official Clip - Losing With Self-Respect

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Synopsis

Tripper (Bill Murray) is the head counselor at a budget summer camp called Camp Northstar. In truth, he's young at heart and only marginally more mature than the campers themselves. Tripper befriends Rudy (Chris Makepeace), a loner camper who has trouble fitting in. As Tripper inspires his young charges to defeat rival Camp Mohawk in the annual Olympiad competition, Rudy plays matchmaker between Tripper and Roxanne (Kate Lynch), a female counselor at Northstar.

Director: Ivan Reitman
Producer: Daniel Goldberg
Screenwriter: Len Blum, Daniel Goldberg, Harold Ramis, Janis Allen
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, CFDC, Famous Players
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 13, 2015
Runtime: 1h 32m

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