Why Him?

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2:25

Why Him?

R

Released Dec 23, 2016

1h 51m

Holiday

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

40%

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154 Reviews

51%

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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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Firstname L

I’m amazed they Bryan Cranston agreed to be in this film. It’s so below him. James Franco is a terrible actor and creepy Keegan Michael-Keys fake whatever accent it is, is just embarrassing. Adam DeVine is terrible in everything he is. Not sure why he keeps trying to be an actor. It’s shameful. Megan Mullalley weird child like voice just grates. This film tries to be funny with gross innuendo and cursing. But it makes for an unpleasant watch.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

Full Review

Louis S

This is mostly um….. a movie. It was ok I guess and it did have some genuinely funny moments, with the first about half an hour actually being very good, but overall it falls, acting isn’t good jokes become brining and overdone Not worth your time

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Sean G

I'm tired of the formulaic Hallmark Christmas movies. This is the answer. James Franco and Bryan Cranston are brilliant. Sure, it subscribes to the father versus fiance formula, but it adds some genuine must see edginess to it. Ignore the score and have a fun romp.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

Emilia R

Really disappointed with this movie, since they advertised it so well! I was looking forward to watching it for ages but never got round to it, now I have and it was awful couldn’t even get to the end, the kind of movie you watch hoping to get better but stays at the same place, literally nothing happens from start to finish and the scenes are way to long and fizzles out yet the camera guy keeps recording( can’t believe they got Elon Musk in for it)!!! GARBAGE

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

OSCAR P

Complete garbage--what a shame Bryon Cranston even agreed to this crap.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

W. Scott S

Wow. I wasn't expecting that. This movie is great! It came on after watching another movie on Hulu and I ended up laughing hysterically at it! It's severely underrated by both the critics and the audience IMO. This is so awkwardly HILARIOUS! As a Dad with 3 daughters, it may have struck my funny bone a little more than others, but I feel there is enough humor in here for many to relate to. How can you not laugh at a movie with Megan Mullally, Keegan-Michael Key and Cedric The Entertainer? Bryan Cranston was great as a Dad who wants only the best for his daughter. If you've seen it before 8 years ago and didn't like it, maybe you need to give it another chance? So many great lines, moments, and situations.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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

2:25

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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: 21 Laps Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Red Hour Productions
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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