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Meet the Parents

Play trailer Poster for Meet the Parents PG-13 Released Oct 6, 2000 1h 48m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 148 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Everything that can possibly go wrong for groom-to-be Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) does. The problems begin with Greg's disastrous first meeting with his girlfriend's family -- most notably her intimidating father Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) and it's all downhill from there.
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Meet the Parents

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Critics Consensus

Despite sometimes sitcom-like execution, Meet the Parents is a hilarious look at familial relationships that works mostly because the chemistry between its two leads is so effective.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) It’s just that it’s the kind of comedy that’s as likely to have you gnawing your fist in an agony of embarrassment as it is to make you laugh. Feb 9, 2024 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press Meet the Parents isn't as funny as There's Something About Mary, nor as outrageous. But it confirms that Ben Stiller is the best of today's young practitioners of frustration comedy. Jul 17, 2019 Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader Scenes that should have been uproarious are weaker than many of the movie's smaller moments, whose everyday humor isn't specific to the plot or characters. Apr 9, 2012 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Meet the Parents may not demand repeat viewings—a number of the jokes are based in shock humor, therefore don’t last beyond their first exposure—but that first time, it’s an incredibly funny studio comedy. Rated: 3/4 Aug 3, 2023 Full Review Michael Kleinschrodt Times-Picayune Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller seem evenly matched, making effective foils. Rated: 3/4 May 30, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...large swaths of the proceedings feel as though they'd be more at home within a garden-variety sitcom. Rated: 2/4 Dec 20, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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tommy J A great movie that led to more fun movies. I have nipples Gerg, can you milk me? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Ed R Very forced humor with an A-List cast of stars. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Nic S “Meet the Parents” is a lighthearted, fun watch about the universal experience of meeting your soon-to-be in-laws, readily equipped with a skeptical mindset, whilst they highly judge everything little thing you do juxtaposing their own all-mighty expectations of what they think their kid deserves. The premise is uber relatable and has not really been touched upon in film, which gives “Meet the Parents” the unique position of trend-setting into this foray. Robert de Niro is highly acclaimed for gritty, serious performances for decades, yet his turn to being the reluctant and protective father in this light comedy is quite brilliant. The film also plays around with the former aspect creating a great mix, speaking to a new side of the actor. Ben Stiller’s character is a regular dude who sadly gets made fun of for trivial things with a trail of bad luck close behind, but manages to keep moving forward for his partner. The comedy is grounded in reality alongside scenarios that happen in life. The understated and subtle direction this film opts for only further creates the bundle of laughs and even more investment into the story, as we can see ourselves planted in these happenings so clearly. The filmmakers could have gone so over the top with wacky, one-note characters or out of this world scenarios. The fact that the film takes itself seriously and keeps it real, the stakes feel high. With every misstep or sorry occurrence, we, as the audience, are simultaneously at the edge of our seat for what’s coming next. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Stephen C The best of the trilogy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Language, Drug References and Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $166,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Jacopo D Pensavo facesse ridere nel senso di "fare ridere" non nel senso di "essere stupido" oltre tutto le battute sono scontate e fanno giusto scappare un piccolo sorriso... Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Max W Meet the Parents follows a familiar comedic formula, but it's elevated by the natural comedic talents and undeniable chemistry between Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, turning it into a genuinely enjoyable good-time comedy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/11/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Meet the Parents

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Movie Info

Synopsis Everything that can possibly go wrong for groom-to-be Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) does. The problems begin with Greg's disastrous first meeting with his girlfriend's family -- most notably her intimidating father Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) and it's all downhill from there.
Director
Jay Roach
Producer
Robert De Niro, Jay Roach, Jane Rosenthal, Nancy Tenenbaum
Screenwriter
John Hamburg, Jim Herzfeld, Greg Glienna, Mary Ruth Clarke
Distributor
Universal Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
Nancy Tenenbaum Productions, Universal Pictures, Tribeca Productions, DreamWorks Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Drug References|Sexual Content)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 6, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$166.2M
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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