Mouse Hunt

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Mouse Hunt

PG

Released Dec 19, 1997

1h 37m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When their string magnate father, Rudolf Smuntz, dies, brothers Ernie (Nathan Lane) and Lars (Lee Evans) move into his decrepit mansion. Struggling to keep a promise to never sell the now unprofitable string factory, the brothers decide that restoring the house, the last built by a famous architect, could bring them a great deal of money. But during their restoration attempts, Ernie and Lars are continually frustrated by a malicious mouse that keeps destroying their efforts.

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Critics Consensus

Even with some vivaciously archaic mugging from its two leads, Mouse Hunt gets trapped under the weight of its excessive slapstick antics.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Mouse Hunt mostly squeaks by thanks to the considerable mugging prowess of its leads players, Lee Evans and Nathan Lane.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 30, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Mouse Hunt is not very funny, and maybe couldn't have been very funny no matter what, because the pieces for comedy are not in place.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Adrian Martin

Film Critic: Adrian Martin

Debut feature director Gore Verbinski skilfully employs a high-energy, expressionistic style.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Here’s a slapstick comedy that bests the Home Alone series when it comes to mayhem movies aimed at family audiences.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 6, 2025

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

At once a raucous Rube Goldberg rondelay, a modern-day Marx Brothers comedy, a sweet story of sibling bonds, a stunning movie-magic mixture of effects work, and a successful challenge to find new levels of weird even for a guy like Christopher Walken.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 29, 2025

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Fans of '90s Home Alone will feel right at home with Mouse Hunt — the remastered 1997 comedy delivers a similar tone, physical gags, and charm.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 23, 2025

Full Review

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Obi-wan K

I dont how this is bad like its alr

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

Full Review

Jeffery P

I like the unpredictable nature of good slapstick comedy. Yes, there's plenty of overacting. The story arc is entertaining with an oddball, but entertaining suporting performance from Christopher Walken. This is good family fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Aidan M

One of the fondest memories growing up. Mouse Hunt is the type of movie I haven't continually watched over the years but it's something I have retuned to every 5 or so years. Still to this day it's filled with laughs and good to see an old school comedy movie that breaks the normals of reality and gives a bit of fantasy to watch along to. Love the movie and a absolute classic

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Barry A

If want to see a live action film that’s like a cartoon this is the one. Well made and funny.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $61,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolute banger and a really funny movie...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

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Gore Verbinski

Director

Nathan Lane

Ernie Smuntz

Lee Evans

Lars Smuntz

Vicki Lewis

April Smuntz (Lars' Wife)

Maury Chaykin

Alexander Falko (Mr. Falko)

Eric Christmas

Ernie and Lars' Lawyer

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Caesar the Exterminator

1:06

Mousehunt: Official Clip - The House Floods

2:09

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Sleeping Mouse

1:21

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Find a Blunt Object!

1:36

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Mouse Traps

2:08

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Auction Awkwardness

2:12

Mousehunt: Official Clip - The Bug Bomb Goes Off

2:13

Mousehunt: Official Clip - String Cheese

2:05

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Smells Like Gas

1:45

Mousehunt: Official Clip - Cockroach Dinner

0:45

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Synopsis

When their string magnate father, Rudolf Smuntz, dies, brothers Ernie (Nathan Lane) and Lars (Lee Evans) move into his decrepit mansion. Struggling to keep a promise to never sell the now unprofitable string factory, the brothers decide that restoring the house, the last built by a famous architect, could bring them a great deal of money. But during their restoration attempts, Ernie and Lars are continually frustrated by a malicious mouse that keeps destroying their efforts.

Director: Gore Verbinski
Producer: Bruce Cohen, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Screenwriter: Adam Rifkin
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Red Feather Photoplays
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.8M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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