Why Him?

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2:25

Why Him?

R

Released Dec 23, 2016

1h 51m

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

154 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

During the holidays, loving but overprotective Ned (Bryan Cranston) travels to California to visit his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at Stanford University. While there, he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). Even though Laird is a multimillionaire, Ned disapproves of his freewheeling attitude and unfiltered language. His panic level escalates even further when he learns that Laird plans to ask for Stephanie's hand in marriage.

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Critics Consensus

Solidly cast but overall misconceived, Why Him? offers the odd chuckle, but ultimately adds disappointingly little to its tired father-vs.-fiancé formula.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

If the film drags a little at the end, it's perhaps because the film-makers were enjoying the company of these characters as much as the audience undoubtedly will.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2017

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Why Him? has all the flaws you'd expect, from the non-existent visual style to the shortchanging of the women in the cast.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 28, 2016

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

We do not predict a lifespan to compare with that of Meet the Parents.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 27, 2016

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Why Him? Why me?

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Balances raunchy humour - an awkward electronic toilet sequence rivals anything from the Adam Sandler canon - with actual heartfelt storytelling resulting in an enjoyably bawdy holiday pastime.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Ricardo Gallegos

Pólvora

It consistently makes you laugh throughout the 110 minute duration. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 2, 2020

Full Review

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alan g

Tedious remake of several films. James Panko cannot act and plays like the whole thing is a joke. How did Brian Cranston get involved on this crap?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

Full Review

Mazen A

I always say you can tell a good movie from the first 3 minutes, this movie has been nothing but great! I highly dislike and don't recomend it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

Ben N

This is a standard 'meet the family' rom-com, with some twists. Language is rampantly over the top as a plot point. That said, just when something would go over the top a great acting job or clever line would pull the movie back into line and I laughed out loud often. I also identified with characterizations in the film and had a good time rolling with the punches like the family. Fun, silly, and funny throughout - worthwhile if you want a light rom-com.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

Full Review

Sol B

Why...make this movie?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

donnie m

James Franco character the way walks-talks-moves-can't watch-like a tiny stupid little wimpy baby and way too much sexual talk that wasn't necessary and NO ONE talks that way in real life

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

Rosana B

Muito, muito bobo, mas absolutamente divertido, de tão absurdo... Tem momento família tão fofo, que também soa absurdo considerando o contexto cômico, as cenas divertidas, sempre muito exageradas, mas na maioria das vezes funciona bem, com todo cunho sexual (também exagerado, mas quando na medida soa bem divertido) e as participações especiais de Elon Musk e KISS... Roteiro inteligente, embora depreciativo, ótima execução... Exagerado, engraçadinho, bobo, adorável, família e absurdo...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

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John Hamburg

Director

James Franco

Laird Mayhew

Bryan Cranston

Ned Fleming

Zoey Deutch

Stephanie Fleming

Megan Mullally

Barb Fleming

Griffin Gluck

Scotty Fleming

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Why Him?: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

During the holidays, loving but overprotective Ned (Bryan Cranston) travels to California to visit his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at Stanford University. While there, he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). Even though Laird is a multimillionaire, Ned disapproves of his freewheeling attitude and unfiltered language. His panic level escalates even further when he learns that Laird plans to ask for Stephanie's hand in marriage.

Director: John Hamburg
Producer: Shawn Levy, Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Dan Levine
Screenwriter: John Hamburg, Ian Helfer
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Red Hour Productions, TSG Entertainment, 21 Laps Entertainment
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexual Material Throughout)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.2M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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