Sgt. Bilko

Play trailer

Sgt. Bilko

PG

1996

1h 34m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When not trafficking in contraband, Sgt. Bilko (Steve Martin) oversees his base's gambling operations and occasionally runs a little con game, all under the oblivious nose of his commanding officer, Col. Hall (Dan Aykroyd). After Bilko's old nemesis, Maj. Thorn (Phil Hartman), shows up, intent on ruining his career and stealing his girlfriend, Rita (Glenne Headly), Bilko must take extra care to cover his tracks while concocting the perfect scheme to take down his foe.

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

08/07/2019

The new bunch are good actors, but without that vital touch of insanity. The laughs are sparse and often telegraphed.

Go to Full Review

Brian Lowry

Variety

05/19/2008

Though Martin and a solid supporting cast produce a few scattered moments of near-hilarity, for the most part the terrain here is as flat as it gets.

Go to Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

05/19/2008

[A] celebration of high jinks.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

03/23/2023

D

Flat and unappealing.

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

05/19/2008

Martin's Bilko is a career grifter who comes out on top every time. He's a Bilko for the nasty '90s, oily and smug.

Go to Full Review

Film4

05/19/2008

Aside from the sheer insanity of trying to leap into the shoes of the irreplaceable Phil Silvers, surely Martin should have recognized that the film had no script, no gags and no discernible point.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

@bob25009 05/30/2025

Humor in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $30,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Steve D

@RT35616104 02/15/2023

When Steve Martin can't make it funny you did something wrong.

See more

eat m

@RT40160454 05/30/2022

A solid comedy, with Steve Martin playing the lovable rascal Ernie Bilko. Echoes of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, with a streamlined plot pitting Martin against the legendary Phil Hartman as the upright Thorn. This is a straightforward movie, with a straightforward plot, with very funny scenes, characters, and feel good redemption ending. Hartman and Martin are brilliant in this underrated gem of a classic style comedy which never tires of Bioko doubling down in his lovable scoundrel persona. Worth the watch.

See more

10/12/2021

Bruh pretty stupid movie but I laughed and have watched a few times. Martin, Hartman, Akroyd. Guy is a hustler and makes fun of the waste in the army. Shenanigans ensue. Again it's not high class cinema but I like the flic. Pretty funny.

See more

08/27/2020

Aside from over dramatics I liked this one. A wheeling and dealing Sarget with a gambling racket and the ability to manipulate anything is confronted by an old familiar he stiffed many years back who plans to do the same to him.

See more

02/15/2020

A mix of nostalgia and slapstick corniness for me, but I didn't come for a well thought out plot. Closer to a 2* than a 3* today.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jonathan Lynn

Director

Steve Martin

Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko

Dan Aykroyd

Col. John T. Hall

Phil Hartman

Maj. Colin Thorn

Glenne Headly

Rita Robbins

Daryl "Chill" Mitchell

Pfc. Walter T. Holbrook

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - The Hover Tank Con

4:32

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Bilko Forgets His Wedding

3:53

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - The Horse Bet

3:07

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - If I Win, We Get Married!

2:01

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Hilarious Training Montage

2:52

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Hiding the Horse

2:37

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Surprise Bunk Inspection

2:43

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Hover Tank Runs Amok!

2:11

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Bilko's Ridiculous Boxing Story

3:19

Sgt. Bilko: Official Clip - Bilko Serenades Rita

1:14

View more videos

Cop and a Half

14%

35%

Cop and a Half

Watchlist

Problem Child

0%

43%

Problem Child

Watchlist

Housesitter

36%

48%

Housesitter

Watchlist

The 'Burbs

58%

71%

The 'Burbs

Watchlist

Fletch Lives

38%

55%

Fletch Lives

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When not trafficking in contraband, Sgt. Bilko (Steve Martin) oversees his base's gambling operations and occasionally runs a little con game, all under the oblivious nose of his commanding officer, Col. Hall (Dan Aykroyd). After Bilko's old nemesis, Maj. Thorn (Phil Hartman), shows up, intent on ruining his career and stealing his girlfriend, Rita (Glenne Headly), Bilko must take extra care to cover his tracks while concocting the perfect scheme to take down his foe.

Director: Jonathan Lynn
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Andy Breckman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 29, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo