Houseguest

Play trailer

Houseguest

PG,

1995,

1h 49m,

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Stream Now

Watchlist

18%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

55%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

18%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Fast-talking con man Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) is in over his head: He owes $50,000 to the mob, and they want to collect. On the run, Franklin happens upon lawyer Gary Young (Phil Hartman) and his family, who are waiting for an old friend Young hasn't seen in 25 years. Taking the opportunity for another con -- and to save his neck -- Franklin convinces Young he's the old friend and becomes the family's houseguest. He has a great hideout from the mob, but the Mafia henchmen are still on his trail.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

Rent Houseguest on Fandango, or buy it on Fandango.

Critics Consensus

Perplexingly unfunny given the involvement of its two hilarious leads, Houseguest wears out its welcome almost immediately.

Read Critics Reviews

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

May 24, 2019

2/4

Sinbad is a genial soul and his goodwill remains untouched by the mostly amateurish Houseguest.

Go to Full Review

Caryn James

New York Times

May 20, 2003

Turns out to be an inane fish-out-of-water comedy. Along the way it turns into a virtual McDonald's commercial, too. The fact that you can hardly tell the difference is a good clue to the movie's bad-television flavor.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Feb 13, 2001

3/5

As good-natured as its big, beefy star, comedian Sinbad.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Oct 1, 2023

2.5/4

...an appealingly over-the-top premise that’s employed to watchable yet thoroughly erratic effect...

Go to Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Mar 14, 2022

1.5/4

It's an OK message, but do we have to have jokes this bad to go with it?

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

Aug 12, 2009

1/4

Comedy at its most formulaic.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Albus R

Mar 15, 2019

Sinbad is a great stand up comedian and so was the late Phil Hartman so it is natural that these two leads would have good chemistry. Phil Hartman was wonderful on Saturday Night Live and the underrated NBC sitcom NewsRadio and he does put a good performance here as the stereotypical suburban dad. Sinbad puts a lot of charisma into his performance that he often does on stage and it works in Houseguest as well.

See more

Ron W

Mar 12, 2019

Kevin Franklin is IN THE HOUSE! Sinbad, what is there to say except he's a genius when it comes to comedy. Houseguest was one of my favorite movies as a kid and to this day I still enjoy watching Kevin Franklin work his way around suburbia. Now for as much as I love this movie, I can absolutely see the true plot holes and shortcomings that take place in the film. I understand that Phil Hartman hasn't seen Derek Bond in like 20 years, but based on everything he knows about him...I mean it's obvious they have talked on the phone, how could he ever think Sinbad is him? It's absurd. Especially in the way that Sinbad goes about certain things, take the story of the "accident" that Sinbad tells him, why would he wait to tell him about it until just now? Surely, in their back and forth over the years it would have possibly come up. Also, why would this family feel the need/desire to be so candid with a complete stranger about intimate details of their lives? I know that the father is "friends" with Derek Bond, but I mean...would a teenage girl want to disclose anything to him? No. I could go on, but who cares, the movie is FUN and it's meant to be. Even with all the pitfalls, it's still an enjoyable and funny movie. I will watch it again.

See more

Abraham M

May 5, 2017

I love this movie. It made me laugh when I was 10 and it makes me laugh as a 32 year old.. it also makes me want a Big Mac

Read all reviews

Randall Miller

Director

Sinbad

Kevin Franklin

Phil Hartman

Gary Young

Jeffrey Jones

Ron Timmerman

Kim Greist

Emily Young

Stan Shaw

Larry

Cop and a Half

14%

34%

Cop and a Half

Watchlist

Almost Heroes

5%

64%

Almost Heroes

Watchlist

Summer School

56%

58%

Summer School

Watchlist

Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach

0%

33%

Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach

Watchlist

Clifford

20%

67%

Clifford

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Fast-talking con man Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) is in over his head: He owes $50,000 to the mob, and they want to collect. On the run, Franklin happens upon lawyer Gary Young (Phil Hartman) and his family, who are waiting for an old friend Young hasn't seen in 25 years. Taking the opportunity for another con -- and to save his neck -- Franklin convinces Young he's the old friend and becomes the family's houseguest. He has a great hideout from the mob, but the Mafia henchmen are still on his trail.

Director: Randall Miller
Producer: Joe Roth, Roger Birnbaum
Production Co: Caravan Pictures, Hollywood Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 6, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.3M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings