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

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

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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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Janet D

This was probably really funny back in 2000, but it hasn't aged well. The humor is overdone to the point of almost being slapstick.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Alycia M.

Not my kind of comedy. If they all told the truth a tiny bit more and were proud of who they are as a person…

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

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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

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Ed R

Very forced humor with an A-List cast of stars.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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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

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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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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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