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The Toy

Play trailer Poster for The Toy PG 1982 1h 42m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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3% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Unemployed journalist Jack Brown (Richard Pryor) is attempting to make ends meet as the night janitor in a ritzy department store owned by Louisiana millionaire U.S. Bates (Jackie Gleason). On his annual visit to his father's store, Bates' pampered son, Eric (Scott Schwartz), is told he can choose one item in the toy department. To everyone's horror, he chooses Jack. Paid handsomely to spend one week with the troublesome kid, Jack soon discovers the roots of Eric's bad behavior.
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The Toy

The Toy

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Critics Consensus

A muddled and unfunny collision of two comedic titans, The Toy is unsuitable for children -- or anyone else seeking entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Maza Arizona Republic Jun 15, 2021
It is what they call a major disappointment. Go to Full Review Alex Keneas Newsday Jun 15, 2021
The Toy" is insensitive to its material, a crude low-comedy. And a lifeless one. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune Jun 15, 2021
2/4
Pryor seems in chains in this movie, and he rarely breaks out for more than a second or two. Gleason, 66, looks remarkably good, but he is just presiding over his performance. Go to Full Review Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 7, 2026
Pryor, Gleason, and the rest of us deserve far better than this loud, unfunny movie. Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Mar 17, 2022
1/5
At one point during this film, I was just in a perpetual eye-roll. It wasn't funny, endearing or even mildly entertaining. Why did they make this? Go to Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Mar 17, 2022
1/5
This was really offensive. The comedy was horrible and the concept was so problematic. Nothing about this "movie" made sense. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shelby Q @ShelbyLynn Jul 17, 2026 I will agree this movie was a complete disappointment. However, for Rotten Tomatoes to throw in there that "it's not intended for children," is insane! Considering this is NOT a children's movie, or even a movie children should watch.. So why they would put that into the ratings bracket is beyond me. that shouldn't have even been a topic of conversation, but it is what it is, either way, it was a terrible movie. See more NICHOLAS L. @NMLUKE Feb 10, 2026 A movie that could never be a remake See more Gregory S. @Biggrooster Nov 16, 2025 Funny movie Richard Pryor no foul language See more William L @RT14241415 Sep 17, 2025 This is an absolute classic. Pryor is hilarious See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life May 21, 2025 An underrated classic with Pryor and Gleason. Tim Treakle See more Roger L @RogerL Apr 16, 2025 I believe the "professional" critics who critiqued this film forget what it is like being a child growing up in 1982. When I watched this movie, as a child, it resonated with me because the little boy and myself were around the same age. I watched a film about a boy learning about friendship, a man learning about patience, and both of them learning about forgiveness and understanding. Critics seemed to have confused it with a comedy. See more Read all reviews
The Toy

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Donner

Director

Richard Pryor

Jack Brown

Jackie Gleason

U.S. Bates

Scotty Schwartz

Eric Bates

Ned Beatty

Mr. Morehouse

Teresa Ganzel

Fancy Bates

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The Toy

The Toy (1982) The Toy (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Unemployed journalist Jack Brown (Richard Pryor) is attempting to make ends meet as the night janitor in a ritzy department store owned by Louisiana millionaire U.S. Bates (Jackie Gleason). On his annual visit to his father's store, Bates' pampered son, Eric (Scott Schwartz), is told he can choose one item in the toy department. To everyone's horror, he chooses Jack. Paid handsomely to spend one week with the troublesome kid, Jack soon discovers the roots of Eric's bad behavior.
Director
Richard Donner
Producer
Phil Feldman
Production Co
Rastar Pictures, Delphi Film Foundation, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 10, 1982, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 42m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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