Grumpy Old Men

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Grumpy Old Men

PG-13

1993

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

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44 Reviews

74%

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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.

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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

Aug 5, 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

Aug 5, 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)

Nov 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

Apr 6, 2025

3/4

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

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Rob Lowing

The Sun-Herald (Australia)

Feb 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

Jan 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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Jacob W

@RT17896586 Oct 25, 2026

This is a masterclass in comedy. Walter and Jack are perfectly cast. Like there Odd couple characters they played together earlier in their careers this film never gets old. In fact you could say that unlike there stars the film has matured with age. These stars are of a golden age of cinema where both actors could do both serious or comedy. Despite there passing it is still very funny because at heart it’s simple comedy but there s a great deal of love for each other both on and off the camera. The film did a sequel which again is funny and well worth a look. If only for the outtakes. A class act not seen since Laura and Hardy and which we will not see again. Enjoy.

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Fro T

@frothizzlereviews Sep 18, 2026

As someone who’s not a big fan of love triangle movies, I would say Grumpy Old Men is one of the better ones due to the great acting and funny banter. Sidenote: I hate Walter Matthau’s character Max. What a manipulating bastard. The ending is sweet, the musical score is touching, and Burgess Meredith steals the show as the raunchy grandpa. 8/10

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Callum L

@RT95472440 Sep 17, 2026

It was so funny made me laugh so good for a 1993 film and a graphics was good but quite rude and the calls and that was good and there was all a happen ending

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 8, 2026

Grumpy old men = a *3.5* movie!

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Betty S

@Bettyboop1943 Aug 22, 2026

Maybe I can relate to this one because the stars are in the same age group as me, but it’s one of my all time favorites.

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Lincoln L

@Linkolnbio2 Aug 6, 2026

Mind-numbing, it is so dull that it deadens your senses and makes it hard to focus.

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Donald Petrie

Director

Jack Lemmon

John Gustafson

Walter Matthau

Max Goldman

Ann-Margret

Ariel Truax

Daryl Hannah

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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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