Throw Momma From the Train

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Throw Momma From the Train

PG-13

1987

1h 26m

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Larry (Billy Crystal), an author with a cruel ex-wife, Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), teaches a writing workshop where Owen (Danny DeVito), one of his students, is fed up with his domineering mother (Anne Ramsey). When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Margaret, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already sealed Margaret's fate.

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Critics Consensus

Danny DeVito's direction is too broad to offer the kind of nastiness that would have made Throw Momma from the Train truly special, but DeVito's on-screen chemistry with co-star Billy Crystal makes this a smoothly entertaining comedy.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Very clever and engaging from beginning to end, pic builds on the notion that nearly everyone - at least once in life - has the desire to snuff out a relative or nemesis, even if 99.9% of us let the urge pass without ever acting on it.

Mar 26, 2009

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

If it all gets a little soft-centred towards the end, there's more than enough vitality and invention to be going on with.

Jun 24, 2006

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Mr. Crystal and Mr. DeVito ... make one of the oddest pairs imaginable but have a rapport that's a delight.

May 20, 2003

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Demonstrates more talent laughing at Hitchcock than Mel Brooks in High Society… [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 14, 2022

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Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Throw Momma from the Train is a comic triumph for all involved.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 15, 2019

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Cathy Burke

United Press International

Danny DeVito directs and stars in this funny, offbeat homage to Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, but it's co-star Billy Crystal who brings all the elements together

Nov 8, 2016

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Frans B

A bit slow moving but funny and cleverly written. Whole cast excels in character. Cinematography is good and overall ambiance lends itself to the genre.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/25

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Stephen C

A failure in just 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Kaden D

Very slow. Story, acting, and jokes not great.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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alan g

The malignant dwarf ruins another movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

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Jelisije J

An enjoyable small comedy where one guy believes his writing teacher and him made a secret deal to kill the people who are making there lives miserable......prepare for a ridiculous old fashion comedy to enjoy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

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steve d

I enjoyed it. "Crisscross!!!"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Danny DeVito

Director

Danny DeVito

Owen

Billy Crystal

Larry Donner

Anne Ramsey

Mrs. Lift

Kim Greist

Beth Ryan

Kate Mulgrew

Margaret Donner

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - You're Alive!

2:37

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry Meets Momma

1:36

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Poisoned Pepsi

2:09

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - You Killed My Wife!

2:44

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - He's Trying to Kill Me!

1:37

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Owen's Coin Collection

3:00

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - She's Not a Woman, She's the Terminator

2:07

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Saving Momma

2:14

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry Warns Momma

1:22

Throw Momma from the Train: Official Clip - Larry's Wife on Oprah

2:20

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Synopsis

Larry (Billy Crystal), an author with a cruel ex-wife, Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), teaches a writing workshop where Owen (Danny DeVito), one of his students, is fed up with his domineering mother (Anne Ramsey). When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Margaret, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already sealed Margaret's fate.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: Larry Brezner
Screenwriter: Stu Silver
Distributor: Orion Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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