Strange Brew

Play trailer

2:46

Strange Brew

PG,

1983,

1h 30m,

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Strange Brew: Trailer 1

Now Playing

View more videos

Watchlist

75%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

25,000+ Ratings

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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

The plotline (derived from Hamlet) soon goes flat.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Mar 10, 2003

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

Go to Full Review

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."

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 24, 2020

3.5/4.0

This is a silly, goofy, innocent comic classic.

Go to Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Feb 21, 2018

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Harry R

Aug 18, 2018

Hamlet with hosers. Beauty, eh?

Rey S

Feb 18, 2018

I just didn't think it was funny (and I grew up in the 80's)....

Ron L

Dec 21, 2017

I know, humor is subjective and not every joke is for every person, but if you can't find at least a chuckle somewhere in Strange Brew then you might possibly be lacking a soul. It's stupid, it's pointless, it hammy, and it's a whole keg full of fun. And as stupid and pointless and hammy as everything is, the two main characters are endearing, which is the real genius here. Max Von Sydow's casting was inspired, the characters at the core of the paper-thin Hamlet rip-off story serve their part, and Paul Dooley is just freaking hilarious.

See more

Leia R

Jan 28, 2017

It's so stupid but so funny

Harry S

Dec 14, 2014

- I've now seen this 3 times in 3 years, but this time was on the big screen with a Free screening at The Royal sponsored by NOW Magazine. It was great seeing it with a crowd, and the movie is a brisk 90mins so it's really easy to rewatch. Such a Canadian classic! Watched this for the 2nd time in 2 years, I have always had a special place for this film as I grew-up watching it and it's so full of Canadiana. I don't feel I can review this film objectively, but i really enjoy it and find it hilarious. Max Van Sydow adds a touch of class to the proceedings and seems to be having fun. A must watch for all Canadians, but anyone can enjoy it.

See more

Read all reviews

Rick Moranis

Director

Dave Thomas

Director

Dave Thomas

Doug McKenzie

Rick Moranis

Bob McKenzie

Max von Sydow

Brewmeister Smith

Paul Dooley

Claude Elsinore

Simon

60%

67%

Simon

Watchlist

Children of the Damned

73%

39%

Children of the Damned

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Children of the Damned

The Twelve Chairs

87%

62%

The Twelve Chairs

Watchlist

Make Your Own Bed

78%

Make Your Own Bed

Watchlist

Shoulder Arms

81%

Shoulder Arms

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Strange Brew: Trailer 1

2:46

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings