Foul Play

Play trailer

Foul Play

PG,

1978,

1h 56m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Stream Now

Watchlist

74%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

Rent Foul Play on Fandango, or buy it on Fandango.

Critics Consensus

Entertaining and charming like its charismatic leads, Foul Play is a rollicking homage to the master of suspense for those who prefer mysteries with gags on top.

Read Critics Reviews

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

May 9, 2017

One recognizes the romantic comedy impulse behind the sexual sparrings of Hawn and Chase. It's the execution that leaves everything to be desired.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Oct 30, 2007

Writer Colin Higgins makes a good directorial bow.

Go to Full Review

Time Out

Jan 26, 2006

Unsatisfactory as a whole, the film is hilarious and tense in bits.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 11, 2026

4/5

a sub-Hitchockian thriller that doesn’t get too bogged down in reality. In a very 1978 anything-goes mode, it’s got pet snakes, dope-smoking cops, two songs from Barry Manilow, Dudley Moore dancing to the Bee Gees; it’s a time capsule of past times….

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 6, 2025

3/4

This breezy picture was clearly inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock filmography.

Go to Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Apr 28, 2025

A-

Foul Play may not date as well as one would like but still prove to be charming, often-hilarious and a fabulous vehicle for one of the screen’s greatest female stars.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Feb 1, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Harry S

Oct 29, 2017

I saw this movie shortly after it came out in 1978. It had particular interest for me as I'd just been offered a job in San Francisco (while living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and had no sense of the Bay area. This movie has amazing cinematography of The Bay, and a storyline that will keep you intrigued. There are some awesome chase scenes on the hilly streets of downtown San Francisco. And the cast provides a truly believable performances, especially Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Dudley Moore, Brian Dennehy and Burgess Meredith. If you've never been to San Francisco or the area in general, this movie will definitely give you a wonderful "sneak peak".

See more

Theodore P

Sep 1, 2017

Hollywood at its polished production near best & smoothest, Paramount was rising under the early tenure of Michael Eisner. "Foul Play" is entertainment from end-to-end from the days when VHS was more likely to be Betamax, no CDs, no cell nor iPhones, no PCs ... Clunky Detroit cars, yes. Honda was just making revolutionary inroads with its Civic & Accord hatchback. Reagan hadn't deregulated the airlines and flying was still fun & pleasant. Sounds great doesn't it? A movie that's about the fun & romance of it all - plus Dudley Moore, poised to break-out huge. And no shaky camera, no funky Soderbergh color grading. Just Kodak emulsions & the new'ish Panaflex. A fun night at the movies, then & now. | - Norm de Guerre

See more

Han G

May 21, 2017

My husband and I love this movie and always have. One of our favorite scenes is the race to get to the opera house at the end of the movie. So funny!

See more

George G

May 2, 2017

Movie about a woman who, unbeknowst to her, is given a roll of film that has important photos on it people kill for. Obviously dated. But I still like this movie. Funny that the producers put Chevy Chase in front of Goldie when she was the lead for the movie. Not him. Good movie though.

See more

Read all reviews

Colin Higgins

Director

Goldie Hawn

Gloria Mundy

Chevy Chase

Tony Carlson

Burgess Meredith

Mr. Hennessey

Rachel Roberts

Gerda Casswell

Eugene Roche

Archbishop Thorncrest

Cavalcade

62%

26%

Cavalcade

Watchlist

Resurrection

83%

75%

Resurrection

Watchlist

The Life of Emile Zola

92%

74%

The Life of Emile Zola

Watchlist

The Member of the Wedding

85%

55%

The Member of the Wedding

Watchlist

Arrowsmith

89%

43%

Arrowsmith

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Goldie Hawn’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

Director: Colin Higgins
Producer: Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 1978, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 56m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings