My Stepmother Is an Alien

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My Stepmother Is an Alien

PG-13

1988

1h 48m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

20%

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25 Reviews

31%

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25,000+ Ratings

Trying to rescue her home planet from destruction, a gorgeous extraterrestrial named Celeste (Kim Basinger) arrives on Earth and begins her scientific research. She woos quirky scientist Dr. Steve Mills (Dan Aykroyd), a widower with a young daughter (Alyson Hannigan). Before long, Celeste finds herself in love with Steve and her new life on Earth, where she experiences true intimacy for the first time. But when she loses sight of her mission, she begins to question where she belongs.

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Critics Consensus

Kim Basinger is otherworldly funny in this harebrained sci-fi rom com, but she still can't save My Stepmother is an Alien from alienating intelligent earthlings.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

interesting as a time capsule of a rather conservative brand of '80s excess, and as a gender-switched companion piece to Earth Girls Are Easy. But on its own merits, it is what it is: a committee-written, dumb-assed mess, less amusing than alienating

Dec 13, 2021

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Variety Staff

Variety

A failed attempt to mix many of the film genres associated with the 'alien' idea into a sprightly romp.

Mar 26, 2009

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Colette Maude

Time Out

The film offers several entertaining sequences, but Splash it ain't, for while that film took a similar scenario and beautifully conveyed romantic notions of innocence, this is marred by cruel and juvenile gags.

Jun 24, 2006

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an exceedingly hit-and-miss comedy that fares best in its affable and easygoing opening stretch...

Rated: 2/4

Apr 28, 2022

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

The science in the film may be imaginary, the premise ridiculous, the escalation toward the conclusion absurdly exponential, yet it's difficult to not be charmed by it. In the parlance of the modern era, the film understood the assignment.

Jan 3, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A limp comedy that could easily have been tagged E.T. The Extremely Tedious.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 26, 2021

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Glenn

Solid 3 stars. The daughter discovered her father's girlfriend doing strange things and Kim Bassiner had a one-eyed companion, from her plamet, in her purse to give her advice.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Massoud H

I remembered this movie just scrolling on Instagram. I had seen it on TV as a child and remembered it was fun. I do know Kim Basinger is a deeply talented actress capable of much more serious work. And the film moves too fast for me; it all happens over less than two days. But this was a fun time and a time capsule. I certainly don't regret renting it. I think the poor ratings it receives calls into question how we review films. Is there some sort of standard for good cinema to which we hold every movie that comes out? This movie is meant to be a goofy good time, and it is exactly that. Five out of five stars for a mission accomplished. If I were to view this film through the serious cinematic lens many reviewers seem to take to every single film they encounter, this film is fascinating insofar as it shows us what visions of futurism and technological advancement were like not so long ago. Also, the aesthetics of the 80s -- and in particular that 80s vision of space and the future -- are so interesting, daring, and pleasing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

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Vítor Pimentel de Oliveira V

Wha a terrible, terrible picture. The first 15 minutes, in particular, may be the most unfunny ever put in a comedy movie. Kim Basinger is charming, but still it's not nearly enough to warrant this movie a recommendation.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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TOO M

My Stepmother is an Alien" is an absolute gem of a film—hilariously entertaining and charmingly sexy. It's a fantastic watch that I wholeheartedly recommend. I'd love to see a sequel made to continue the delightful experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

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N.A.

As you can read here, there're so many s*itty reviewers here! The movie is amazing! The 80's were AMAZING !!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

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Diana M

I saw this movie first when I was a teenager and still like watching it when I need something lighthearted. It's silly but a fun movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

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Richard Benjamin

Director

Dan Aykroyd

Steven Mills

Kim Basinger

Celeste Martin

Jon Lovitz

Ron Mills

Alyson Hannigan

Jessie Mills

Joseph Maher

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Synopsis

Trying to rescue her home planet from destruction, a gorgeous extraterrestrial named Celeste (Kim Basinger) arrives on Earth and begins her scientific research. She woos quirky scientist Dr. Steve Mills (Dan Aykroyd), a widower with a young daughter (Alyson Hannigan). Before long, Celeste finds herself in love with Steve and her new life on Earth, where she experiences true intimacy for the first time. But when she loses sight of her mission, she begins to question where she belongs.

Director: Richard Benjamin
Producer: Franklin R. Levy, Ronald Parker
Screenwriter: Herschel Weingrod, Timothy Hyde Harris, Jonathan Reynolds
Production Co: Weintraub Entertainment Group
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.9M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround

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