Throw Momma From the Train

Play trailer

Throw Momma From the Train

PG-13

Released Dec 11, 1987

1h 26m

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 15, 2019

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

Stephen C

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Kaden D

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

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

alan g

The malignant dwarf ruins another movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

steve d

I enjoyed it. "Crisscross!!!"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

Back to School

81%

68%

Back to School

Watchlist

Madhouse

0%

44%

Madhouse

Watchlist

Shadows and Fog

54%

55%

Shadows and Fog

Watchlist

The Woman in Red

32%

39%

The Woman in Red

Watchlist

The Addams Family

68%

67%

The Addams Family

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Addams Family

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now