Cabin Boy (1994)

46% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(11,310 ratings)

Former NBC intern and Get a Life creator Chris Elliott stars as the title character, a recent graduate of the exclusive Fancy Lad Academy who unwittingly boards the wrong sea vessel and ends up a whipping post for its gruff, foul-mouthed crew after his predecessor (Andy Richter of The Late Show)… More Former NBC intern and Get a Life creator Chris Elliott stars as the title character, a recent graduate of the exclusive Fancy Lad Academy who unwittingly boards the wrong sea vessel and ends up a whipping post for its gruff, foul-mouthed crew after his predecessor (Andy Richter of The Late Show) falls overboard. Over the course of their adventures, Elliot eventually earns the respect of the crew as he also earns his manhood. This supremely silly film features sight gags and tastelessness galore, including a love scene with a woman who's all hands -- literally. Elliot's old boss David Letterman appears in an amusing unbilled cameo as a sarcastic villager in port. In all, Cabin Boy works much in the same vein as Elliot's former TV show; a crass sense of humor is helpful for full appreciation. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Adam Resnick
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 7, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media
Weird comedy-fantasy cult classic with language, innuendo.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I count myself as one of the movie's dozen or so fans.
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
So...when is Get a Life coming out on DVD?
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Strange little comedy that's a lot more intriguing than you might think.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
A horrible movie with a classic line by David Letterman.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
An aquired taste
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Extremely weird, and certainly not for everyone. Yet very, very brilliant in its own strange way.

Read all 7 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

Anthony L

A very odd film, not sure if I like it or hate it but I was somehow mesmerized by it bizarreness!
Curtis L

Don't remember much about it.
Lafe F

Cabin Boy is great! It seemed like a two-minute David Letterman skit stretched into a full-length motion picture, with Chris Elliot playing the perfect Cabin Boy. Silly cartoonish script, but I liked a lot of the dumb humour and adventures on the salty sailing ship. There were great… More
Cabin Boy is great! It seemed like a two-minute David Letterman skit stretched into a full-length motion picture, with Chris Elliot playing the perfect Cabin Boy. Silly cartoonish script, but I liked a lot of the dumb humour and adventures on the salty sailing ship. There were great fantasy creatures, including a mermaid, the snowman and the giant businesman; and even a mer-man! My favorite scene was when they set him out on his own raft to starve. A fun voyage indeed.
Steve B

Worth seeing for David Letterman and Andy Richter. Otherwise... it's just kind of weird.
Alice S

One of the most amusing movies I have ever seen. Not only amusing, amazingly creative.
Leo L

Hilarious!
Christopher B

They should call this "Wackyland". No Chris, they should call this movie Awesome.
paganchild1979 p

not the type that I usually watch. But fiance struck again. Hilarious, but not something I would watch over and over.