Joe's Apartment

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1:42

Joe's Apartment

PG-13

1996

1h 20m

Musical

Comedy

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Based on a popular short film, this comedy focuses on Joe (Jerry O'Connell), a young man who has moved from Iowa to downtown New York City. After settling into his grimy apartment, Joe discovers that it is home to a legion of talking and singing cockroaches. Although having so many bugs for roommates has its drawbacks, Joe finds the roaches to be friendly and good-natured, and they aid him in wooing the lovely Lily (Megan Ward), as well as in contending with his mean landlord (Don Ho).

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Critics Consensus

Audiences will want their security deposit back from Joe's Apartment, a lame comedy whose dancing cockroaches are more charming than the human characters.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

May 12, 2008

Unfortunately, nothing that any of the humans contribute to Joe's Apartment is nearly as interesting as the musical numbers and comedy riffs of the cockroaches.

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Nick De Semlyen

Empire Magazine

Jul 19, 2006

1/5

Very puerile humour and a pretty lame storyline.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 20, 2003

2/5

Some viewers will still want to reach for the Raid.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Jan 29, 2024

The musical comedy (or comedy with a few select songs) would burn into this reviewer’s brain to the point that a squeaky faucet lever or a rancid towel will immediately prompt me to burst into song.

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Daniel Etherington

Film4

May 12, 2008

It's nicely realised, by human and roach alike, and something of a landmark in cinematic grossness.

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Michael Ferraro

Film Threat

May 23, 2006

2/5

Good shorts don't make good features...

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Michael D L

@Mlelijr77 May 25, 2025

Funny at times comedy decent atmosphere

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Chris G

@RT99039508 Mar 31, 2025

Joes apartment is in a word, "Different" The humorous side of cockroach infestation. Had me laughing at the comic book story line and reaching for the bug spray. Entertaining.

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Tyler C

@RT82494081 Mar 23, 2025

I'm biased as this movie is a core memory for me. A nice little piece of my childhood that I look back at fondly, and the special effects were cool for the time.

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Mark M

@RT96555914 Mar 7, 2025

I remember this film as a kid and wasn't fully invested in it

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Arnie C

@RT19053077 May 17, 2024

every gathering I go to I put this movie during Christmas, my birthday, fathers day. they love this movie. it's so underrated.

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S. C

@RT35273155 Dec 31, 2023

Goofy as hell, a raunchy satire that doesn't fail to make one laugh. Despite the roaches being roaches they've got lots of charm and even become lovable. There are some cool shots and funny practical effects, and the CG is not bad. Despite a couple miscasts it's an enjoyable and rightly short comedy.

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John Payson

Director

Jerry O'Connell

Joe

Megan Ward

Lily Dougherty

Jim Sterling

Jesus

Shiek Mahmud-Bey

Vlad

Jim Turner

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Joe's Apartment: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Based on a popular short film, this comedy focuses on Joe (Jerry O'Connell), a young man who has moved from Iowa to downtown New York City. After settling into his grimy apartment, Joe discovers that it is home to a legion of talking and singing cockroaches. Although having so many bugs for roommates has its drawbacks, Joe finds the roaches to be friendly and good-natured, and they aid him in wooing the lovely Lily (Megan Ward), as well as in contending with his mean landlord (Don Ho).

Director: John Payson
Producer: Diana Phillips, Bonni Lee
Screenwriter: John Payson
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: MTV Networks, Warner Brothers, Geffen Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 26, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.6M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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