Why Him?

R

Released Dec 23, 2016

1 hr. 51 min.

Holiday

Comedy

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List

39%

155 Reviews

Tomatometer

51%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Premiered Apr 02

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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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Mortal

Bad message, minimal humor. 22 year girl having a rebellion against the wishes of her father. F that.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Clever1

Great cast, funny from start to finish. James Franco is adorable, Brian Cranston is exactly how a dad would be and Megan Mullaly is hilarious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Dhanpreet S

The silliest, whackiest and over-the-top thing I've seen in a long while! the characters are too much but in the funniest way and adore all the actors, comedic geniuses most of them! when I thought it couldn't get any weirder, it did haha. will def watch again when I need to have a good laugh!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/11/23

Full Review

Georgan G

This comedy had some touching moments that helped the plot. The relationships grew as the story progressed. Lots of laughs. The film would have been better had it been shorter.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Gareth v

I didn't mind this movie. No masterpiece but a funny story that's essentially about the generation gap.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

Olympia P

Amazing act by the Comedy King James Franco himself. In the last 6 years, I've seen it at least 11 times no joke! Each time, the brilliant plotline never fails to entertain and amuse me. However at the same time, I am humbled and moved by how strong their family tie is. Although it contains highly explicit content, (not recommending it to kids below the age of 18) it still manages to lift my Christmas spirits. I am really excited for my 12th round lets gooo!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/08/23

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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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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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
Executive Producer: Georgia Kacandes
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
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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