Grumpy Old Men

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Grumpy Old Men

PG-13

1993

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

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46 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) are two curmudgeonly neighbors who have been at each other's throats for years. The rivalry of the former friends intensifies when Ariel (Ann-Margret) comes along and provides a love interest for both of them. When Max finds out that John is experiencing family troubles and financial ruin, however, he steps in to help. Their bond is further cemented when John has a health scare and Max makes the ultimate sacrifice for his friend.

Critics Consensus

Grumpy Old Men's stars are better than the material they're given -- but their comedic chemistry is so strong that whenever they share the screen, it hardly matters.

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Simon Rose

Empire Magazine

08/05/2020

2/5

Watching Matthau and Lemmon in this vehicle is sometimes hard to stomach after knowing that they are worthy of so much more.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

08/05/2020

2.5/4

They're two saints of sarcasm. And they work their magic here with only the flimsiest sitcom structure to support them.

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

11/15/2017

In their prime, the by-play of these two (Lemmon and Matthau) was like an entertainingly bad marriage, but time has made their antagonism seem perfunctory, and the rapport that underlies it somehow smug.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

04/06/2025

3/4

...a slightly overlong yet predominantly affable comedy...

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Rob Lowing

The Sun-Herald (Australia)

02/28/2024

2.5/4

This is formula comedy all the way but somehow the skimpy plot and rehashed situations prove amusing in a leisurely not irritating way.

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

01/15/2023

Oh, to have been a senior citizen at the height of the Grumpy Old Men films. What dreams may come.

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John G.

@ScreenJunkie Mar 10

My favorite comedy movie of all time. I love Jack and Walter and anything they did together but, this and then Grumpier Old Men are my favorites! Classic 90s. Very similar to their Odd Couple Dynamic. Another 2 movies must watch of theirs!

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Constantin C

@RT46803101 Jan 11

When I watched the movie, I couldn’t stop laughing but at the same time the movie has depth and tells us a lot about a really close Friendship, that never ended. A classic, that you must see!

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Dec 28

فيلم جميل جدا و ثنائي ممتع و قوي وقصة خفيفة و لطيفة جدا اخراج رائع و اجواء جميله جدا ستمتعت بمشاهدته

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M G

@RT46851707 Dec 18

I love it. The story is nothing earth-shattering, but pleasant enough. My favorite part is all the old men. Lemmon, Matthau, Burgess Meredith and even Buck Henry are all joyous to watch. I love the small northern town setting as well. The characters live in homes that remind me of my grandparent's places..well worn and homey. The ice-fishing setting is much like my own town during the winter months, with shanties dotting the lakes. It's a great cast thrown into standard plot, but it's a real fun watch. Especially Lemmon.. I just love him. All of them are gone now, so I do like to revisit them upon rewatches now and again.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 21

Funny in 01 hour, 43 minutes, and 30 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1993-2025 by Warner Brothers Discovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The U

@RT87279722 Nov 5

Great story line & Great connection between Jack & Walter a real feel good comedy

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Donald Petrie

Director

Jack Lemmon

John Gustafson

Walter Matthau

Max Goldman

Ann-Margret

Ariel Truax

Daryl Hannah

Melanie

Buck Henry

Snyder

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Synopsis

John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) are two curmudgeonly neighbors who have been at each other's throats for years. The rivalry of the former friends intensifies when Ariel (Ann-Margret) comes along and provides a love interest for both of them. When Max finds out that John is experiencing family troubles and financial ruin, however, he steps in to help. Their bond is further cemented when John has a health scare and Max makes the ultimate sacrifice for his friend.

Director: Donald Petrie
Producer: Richard C. Berman, John Davis
Screenwriter: Mark Steven Johnson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: John Davis, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $69.3M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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