Meet the Parents

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Meet the Parents

PG-13

Released Oct 6, 2000

1h 48m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

85%

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148 Reviews

79%

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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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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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Wendy Ide

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

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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

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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

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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

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Michael Kleinschrodt

Times-Picayune

Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller seem evenly matched, making effective foils.

Rated: 3/4

May 30, 2019

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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

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Audience Member

This is my favorite comedy ever. Greg is such a relatable character

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Blu B

A Classic Comedy. Never seen the original National Lampoon one but I can't imagine it being as good as this one. It's solidly made all around. The plot is clever, and does a great job balancing laughs with heartfelt moments as well. It can be dumb and over the top at certain points but the biggest asset this has is it's suprisingly very funny! It doesn't move at blitzkrieg like speed with jokes like Airplane! but can actually go a bit slow and takes it's time setting up the jokes and funny plot points down the line for a lot of running gags. It relies a lot at first on just doing very awkward moments right after a line that actually really work and get chuckles every time. Than it turns into all out chaos in th second half with a great ending to boot. The setting isn't that memorable and a good chunk of the jokes aren't visually based but just good comedic delivery especially by DeNiro who is really good in this. Some of the jokes again are gross out humor and over the top dumb but it sets it up in very clever ways and isn't obnoxious with it. It suprised me how good this was! Anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, RomComs or straight comedies will like this a lot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Jace E

I am a big sucker for Ben Stiller movies, probably more than the average movie-goer. Of all his films, I think that Meet the Parents might be at the top of my list. I'm not usually a fan of movies where things go from bad to worse (i.e., Christmas Vacation), but this movie does it so incredibly well. Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro has an amazing rapport, the supporting cast is stellar, and the jokes hit one after another. There is no dry spot in the movie, with every scene adding to the completely picture. Comedy is subjective, but this movie is hilarious. Best Character: Jack Byrnes Best Quote: "I have nipples, Greg, could you milk me?" - Jack Best Scene: The First Dinner (Honorable mention to the volleyball scene) Best Piece of Score: "Together Again"

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Audience Member

This is a classic and is certifiably great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

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Ciaran S

Meet the Parents is a surprisingly good romantic comedy film that doesn't take itself too seriously, it has a lot of heart, whit, a lot of charm & laughs, but had no idea it was based on the 1992 film of the same name.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

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Dionisis T

An amazing comedy with a plot that I would definitely never want to experience in my life...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

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Jay Roach

Director

Robert De Niro

Jack Byrnes

Ben Stiller

Greg Focker

Blythe Danner

Dina Byrnes

Teri Polo

Pam Byrnes

James Rebhorn

Larry Banks

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Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Greg Says Grace

2:21

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Greg Has to Wait

1:11

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Milking Cats

2:58

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Kevin the Ex

2:44

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Racing Home

2:51

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Will You Be My Son-In-Law?

2:38

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Up In Flames

2:34

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - Lie Detector Test

2:39

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - The Circle of Trust

1:56

Meet the Parents: Official Clip - It's Only a Game, Focker!

2:03

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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: DreamWorks SKG, Universal Pictures
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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