Airheads (1994)

22% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(118,248 ratings)

Airheads is a variation on Dog Day Afternoon, as well as a comic look at the trials and tribulations of both the music business and Generation X. A hapless rock trio consisting of Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi), and Pip (Adam Sandler) hits a brick wall with their attempts to get their… More Airheads is a variation on Dog Day Afternoon, as well as a comic look at the trials and tribulations of both the music business and Generation X. A hapless rock trio consisting of Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi), and Pip (Adam Sandler) hits a brick wall with their attempts to get their demo tape played by record label executives. Chazz, on the edge since being thrown out by his girlfriend (Amy Locane), decides it's time to take more serious action, and he leads his bandmates on a mission to invade the local "alternative" rock station, KPPX, and hold it hostage to get the band's tape played on the air. The station staffers don't realize that they're being held with a water gun, and when they finally agree to play the tape, it gets eaten up by a faulty machine. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Michael Lehmann
Written By: Rich Wilkes
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 5, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Oct 2, 2001
Studio: Fox

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
The anarchic saga could have used more bite or the hint of a threat just to keep things interesting.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
There should have been enough material here for six sitcoms. Instead, there's not even enough for one movie.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Fraser and Buscemi are deadpan delights. And Sandler, Opera Man on SNL, is a red-hot screen find.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Observing how fertile the field of heavy metal music is for satire, it's disappointing to watch Airheads bumble around, desperately trying to find something funny to say.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A spoof of heavy-metal culture that at the same time respects the vitality and pent-up passion behind it.
Kevin McManus, Washington Post
On the whole, Airheads is heavily entertaining.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Airheads commits the cardinal sin of satire: it's not sure what it's making fun of.
, Film4
Violence passes for comedy, and poor music passes for nothing.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
About airheads, and for them, too.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
A bit of a mess, but one of Steve Buscemi's best performances before hitting the big time.
Rumsey Taylor, DVDFuture.com
Seen deep behind the successes of all the major talent involved, Airheads is an exercise in mediocrity.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Years later, it's much easier to appreciate this cast of then-unknowns which would develop into superstars.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
"keeps threatening to be funny, but rarely scores"

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Airheads, present a funny cast and an very good performace by Steve Buscemi. The film, make laughs with your Dog Day Afternoon satire, but the script could be more intelligent.
Phil H

Probably the first rock band type comedy I saw after 'Spinal Tap' and there hasn't been too many since accept for 'School of Rock' and 'The Rocker' of the top of my head. This, now old, comedy was a small release in the UK I believe and didn't… More
Probably the first rock band type comedy I saw after 'Spinal Tap' and there hasn't been too many since accept for 'School of Rock' and 'The Rocker' of the top of my head. This, now old, comedy was a small release in the UK I believe and didn't really do that much (a typical Fraser release) and you can see why sort of, its not a terrible comedy but its not that great either, its steady stuff. There are some good laughs dotted around and one or two nice visual goofs but nothing really really amazingly funny, the main trio attract really with Buscemi, Fraser and Sandler, when he was making more risky comedies, the support are good too although Mantegna is slightly miscast. Its amusing and its a good flick to watch with friends on a weekend, Fraser gets alittle whiny towards the end and when I think about it the plot is alittle like 'The Blues Brothers' with the same ending, not a classic but just above average.
Chris W

I'll admit that this isn't really that great of a movie, and it doesn't quite succeed at pulling off the "Dog Day Afternoon" scenario, but I can't help but like this. It's really damn funny and entertaining. I really enjoy the cast, and the… More
I'll admit that this isn't really that great of a movie, and it doesn't quite succeed at pulling off the "Dog Day Afternoon" scenario, but I can't help but like this. It's really damn funny and entertaining. I really enjoy the cast, and the performances they give- especially Steve Buscemi. He's usually always great anyway, but he's a real riot here. I also dig this movie because I just connect with the characters and their need to rock. It doesn't really deserve it, but this one's getting good marks from me. I don't care what anyone thinks. This movie is cool.
KJ P

It is such a stupid concept, but it delivers on all levels. If the story was more thought out it would be perfect! It is one of funniest stupid movies I have ever seen!
Anthony L

Relatively good fun but definitely of its time!
Lorenzo v

"The music. The legend. The hostage situation." A hapless rock trio consisting of Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi), and Pip (Adam Sandler) hits a brick wall with their attempts to get their demo tape played by record label executives. Chazz, on… More
"The music. The legend. The hostage situation." A hapless rock trio consisting of Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi), and Pip (Adam Sandler) hits a brick wall with their attempts to get their demo tape played by record label executives. Chazz, on the edge since being thrown out by his girlfriend (Amy Locane), decides it's time to take more serious action, and he leads his bandmates on a mission to invade the local "alternative" rock station, KPPX, and hold it hostage to get the band's tape played on the air. The station staffers don't realize that they're being held with a water gun, and when they finally agree to play the tape, it gets eaten up by a faulty machine. Review Although grunge is long and gone, one can look back at this movie and still love it. Almost fourteen years old and it still cracks me up. Now with the fact that all the main characters are stars (including the blonde-haired David Arquette) it would be impossible to get them all to star in it today. God bless the pairing of Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler.
Curtis L

Yea. 90's rockers...and Brendan Frasier.
xGary X

A lot of comic talent is involved in this affectionate parody of rock bands and their fans in a kind of lightweight homage to The King Of Comedy. Entertaining comedy from the Bill & Ted/Wayne's World school, but the film is stolen by Amy Locane as Fraser's hilariously… More
A lot of comic talent is involved in this affectionate parody of rock bands and their fans in a kind of lightweight homage to The King Of Comedy. Entertaining comedy from the Bill & Ted/Wayne's World school, but the film is stolen by Amy Locane as Fraser's hilariously bitchy girlfriend.
Luke B

Often overlooked comedy that really utilises the talents of it's lead actors. A nice supporting cast also add even more comedy. Has some unforgettable quotes and is a real comedic great.
Jason S

A good line up here.
Leigh R

So funny.
Juan C

a rock comedy with adam sandler being hillarious and cool, and the others, doing a little bit of it. B
Joseph E

I failed to see the Smart in "Airheads"!
Yinalí R

Funny, crazy!!
Nay Nay B

It's really worth the watch. But sooo similar to Dog Day Afternoon, Pacino was screaming "Attica, Attica" from outside a bank full of hostages, Brendan Fraiser is piping "Rodney King, Rodney King" outside of a hijacked radio station full of hostages. The… More
It's really worth the watch. But sooo similar to Dog Day Afternoon, Pacino was screaming "Attica, Attica" from outside a bank full of hostages, Brendan Fraiser is piping "Rodney King, Rodney King" outside of a hijacked radio station full of hostages. The difference is Brendan Fraiser makes white people look like very out of touch meatheads, while Al Pacino almost makes up for Jersey Shore. Ah who am i kidding, i love that show.
Lee K

i love this one and is another that usually everytime it airs i watch it. great performances from buscemi and sandler
Jay R

classic 90s... Adam Sandler, Bredan Fraser and Steve Buscemi all in the same movie... freakin eh! classic...

Read all 17 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Brendan Fraser as Chazz Darby

            Steve Buscemi as Rex

            Adam Sandler as Pip

            Joe Mantegna as Ian the Shark

            Chris Farley as Wilson

            Amy Locane as Kayla

            Michael McKean as Milo

            Judd Nelson as Jimmie Wing

            Ernie Hudson as O'Malley

            Nina Siemaszko as Suzzi

            David Arquette as Carter

            Kurek Ashley as Psycho Rocker

            Marshall Bell as Carl Mace

            Lexie D. Bigham as Security Guard

            Reg E. Cathey as Marcus

            Lydell M. Cheshier as Security Guard #2

            Ryan Holihan as Kid

            Tiiu Leek as News Woman

            Lemmy as School Newspaper Rocker

            Kurt Loder as Himself

            Alejandro Quezada as Rocker

            Michael Richards as Doug Beech

            Sam Whipple as Personal Manager

            John Zarchen as Cop

            Harold Ramis as Chris Moore

            Michelle Hurst as Yvonne

            Rich Wilkes as Corduroy Rocker

            China Kantner as Female Rocker

            Vinnie DeRamus as D & D Rocker

            Daniel Zacapa
            
            Allen Covert as Cop
See full cast