Strange Brew

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2:46

Strange Brew

PG

1983

1h 30m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In their quest for free beer, bumbling Canadian brothers Bob (Rick Moranis) and Doug McKenzie (Dave Thomas) wind up working at the Elsinore Brewery. The hapless lads uncover a sinister mind-control plot spearheaded by Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow) and must stop the scheme, which also involves Uncle Claude (Paul Dooley), a member of the Elsinore family. As Bob and Doug try to prevent Smith from taking over the world, they also manage to drink plenty of their favorite sudsy beverage.

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Critics Consensus

Though lowbrow in intent and outcome, Strange Brew effectively mines laughs from its unique premise and likeable stars.

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Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

The plotline (derived from Hamlet) soon goes flat.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Aug 30, 2004

2/5

The price of a ticket could buy enough beer for an experience at least as memorable as this one.

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Mar 10, 2003

[A] funny movie about a couple of Canadians who sit around and drink a lot.

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M.V. Moorhead

Less Hat, Moorhead

Apr 26, 2022

This very silly but sweet-natured and sometimes hilarious '80s curio deserves a bigger cult. I defy anyone to deny the ring of Shakespearean poetry in a line like "Gee, you're real nice. If I didn't have puke breath, I'd kiss you."

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 24, 2020

3.5/4.0

This is a silly, goofy, innocent comic classic.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Feb 21, 2018

4/5

Classic '80s send-up of Canada; lots of beer drinking.

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Joey A

@TheJoe1991 Oct 15, 2026

This movie holds up, after all these years. They're comedic timing is impeccable, and if you watch it after a really long time, you're going to forget some of the gags they did in it. Never be thought of as a sophisticated comedy, but most of my favorite comedies are not sophisticated.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 5, 2026

Strange Brew is a *4* star Movie!

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Trevor W

@RT38551817 Sep 2, 2026

A pure 80s classic! It’s a beauty way to go!

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jul 28, 2026

Slow to get going but when it starts humming this weird cult movie makes you laugh and then after it’s over you feel dumb for laughing. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas give it their all, they are not afraid to fail and that is admirable. Also, it is a master stroke to cast Max von Sydow as an evil bad guy.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 7, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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xpig332 B

@RT69712065 Nov 13, 2025

Classic 1980’s stupid good movie!

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Rick Moranis

Director

Dave Thomas

Director

Dave Thomas

Doug McKenzie

Rick Moranis

Bob McKenzie

Max von Sydow

Brewmeister Smith

Paul Dooley

Claude Elsinore

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Strange Brew: Trailer 1

2:46

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Synopsis

In their quest for free beer, bumbling Canadian brothers Bob (Rick Moranis) and Doug McKenzie (Dave Thomas) wind up working at the Elsinore Brewery. The hapless lads uncover a sinister mind-control plot spearheaded by Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow) and must stop the scheme, which also involves Uncle Claude (Paul Dooley), a member of the Elsinore family. As Bob and Doug try to prevent Smith from taking over the world, they also manage to drink plenty of their favorite sudsy beverage.

Director: Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas
Producer: Louis M. Silverstein
Screenwriter: Steve De Jarnatt, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 26, 1983, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Mono, Stereo

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