Movie review
The Stupids
1996 · Action comedy/Sci-fi · Reviewed Aug 28, 2026
10 / 10
JEFF APPROVED!
Jeff’s final score for The Stupids — one man, one couch, one honest number.
This sci comedy follows a family named the Stupids who display a complete lack of common sense in their lives which eventually lead to a series of mishaps involving law enforcement and destruction of some government buildings as well as the invasion of tv studio during a live broadcast. Eventually the family's complete stupidity leads them to a fight against a team of military officials where their only chance of survival is quick and smart thinking.
Content noteAction comedy/sci fi: not recommended for young children; violence throughout including scenes involving explosives and arson, sci fi elements, scenes depicting public disturbances, scenes depicting law enforcement, scenes which discuss kidnapping, scenes depicting violence involving vehicles and other automobiles, some frightening scenes.
Jeff’s take
I've actually wanted to see this movie for a while but never had the chance to do so up until this point. Tom Arnold has been an actor that I never really cared for. He was always just someone who I was able to take or leave. Then I saw him for the first time in the movie "Carpool" (1996) and I was impressed by his performance. He was the standout actor in that movie. I was hoping to be impressed by him in this movie but I did not know what to expect out of this movie as I had only seen the trailer and only had an idea of what this movie was about. From watching the trailer, I knew it was some sort of action comedy. I thought it was a family that had super powers at first glance who were ordinary people by day and superheroes by night. I made a little mistake in this assumption but I was once again impressed by what I saw. The first few scenes made the rest of this movie worth watching in my opinion. Everything from them sleeping with their heads at the wrong end of the bed to the children not knowing what wigs are and everything in between made this movie a total classic. This is definitely one I would recommend for all ages despite it's overall portrayal of violence. It certainly has a very comedic aspect to it. Also, the mother in this movie gave the impression of Peg Bundy from the tv show "Married With Children in the way that she dressed and acted throughout. The family's overall nonsense and goofy nature in the face of immediate danger made this movie one of my favorites that I've reviewed so far. I really enjoyed this film. It has definitely earned a passing score.
Jeff O meter final score: 10 out of 10.
What works
- Tom Arnold's performance.
- The first few scenes make the rest of the movie worth watching.
- The family's overall nonsense and goofy nature in the face of immediate danger.
What to know before watching
- Not recommended for young children.
- Violence throughout including explosives and arson, and some frightening scenes.
- Scenes depicting law enforcement, public disturbances and vehicle violence.
Verdict
Worth watching
One of my favorites that I've reviewed so far. I really enjoyed this film.
10 / 10
JEFF APPROVED!
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