Grumpy Old Men (1993)

67% of critics liked it
(36 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(138,429 ratings)

This cheerful holiday comedy, a surprise box office smash, featured a generous dollop of raunchy, crude humor and was greatly elevated by the presence of masterful performers in the lead roles. Jack Lemmon is John Gustafson, an ice-fishing Minnesota native who has been feuding with his neighbor and… More This cheerful holiday comedy, a surprise box office smash, featured a generous dollop of raunchy, crude humor and was greatly elevated by the presence of masterful performers in the lead roles. Jack Lemmon is John Gustafson, an ice-fishing Minnesota native who has been feuding with his neighbor and former best friend Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) for decades. The battle of wills between John and Max is characterized by crude name calling and harmless practical jokes. Max is unaware that John is having serious problems, chiefly that his daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) is experiencing marital woes and that his house is about to be confiscated by an officious IRS agent (Buck Henry). When it seems that John and Max may finally put aside their childish rivalry, however, sexy new neighbor Ariel (Ann-Margret) arrives and dates both men, pitting them against each other more fiercely than ever before. Despite their mutual loathing, the death of a friend, John's problems, and a budding romance between Max's son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) and Melanie may force the two old friends to reconcile. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Donald Petrie
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 24, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Aug 27, 1997
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon are awfully good at this sort of thing.
Caryn James, New York Times
Just don't expect their bickering to be on the level of Neil Simon, and you won't be disappointed.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While it won't come close to my top 10 best list for 1993, it will be right up there among the pictures that I had the most fun watching.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is too pat and practiced to really be convincing, and the progress of Ariel's relationships with the two grumps seems dictated mostly by the needs of the screenplay.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
If you poke through Grumpy's cheap sentimentality, you'll find a worthy picture somewhere.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
the real reason this movie works is the fantastic, decades-honed chemistry of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
A funny, often hilarious, film that proves that a story doesn't need to be completely new just as long as there's a spin on it to make it different.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Irresistible...the prime hams and real-life friends share comic timing that can only come from years of experience. [Blu-ray]
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the outtakes made me laugh more than anything in the actual movie. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...sort of a one-note picture, but luckily that one note is often pretty humorous.
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
What ruins the fun is the prattling need for structure outside the central rivalry
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though supported by a stellar ensemble running the gamut of their seriocomic paces, it's not enough to distract viewers from script holes large enough to drive a snowplow through.
, Film4
[Lemmon and Matthau] made much worse in the next few years.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Mediocre, regrettably.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A raucous geezer comedy that contains several hilarious moments where you're laughing well into the next scene.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Two old men who are challenged to savor life's pleasures and end their feud

Read all 16 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

Not the best film of the duo Matthau and Lemmon, but, Grumpy Old Men still a funny and charismatic movie about love, life, family, friends and death in old age.
Shawn E

An instant classic! This comedy has all the right timing and Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau make the funniest pair. Don't skip the end credits either, Burgess Meredith has some of the funniest one-liners I've ever heard!
Conner R

Just a really funny movie showcasing one of the best duos in comedy. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are as good together 30 years after their first onscreen partnering. While this isn't as well written or as fresh as The Odd Couple, it's such an untapped market. Squabbling… More
Just a really funny movie showcasing one of the best duos in comedy. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are as good together 30 years after their first onscreen partnering. While this isn't as well written or as fresh as The Odd Couple, it's such an untapped market. Squabbling old men is somehow one of the most entertaining things to watch. This also has so much heart and honesty thrown in that you simply can't resist falling in love with the characters.
EightThirty .

Hey Puts...Hey Moron... Ha ha ha this is absolutely hilarious!!! Cracking up all the way through the movie
Anthony L

Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau, not their best, but they are so great together!
Summer W

I have a soft spot for this movie.
Taylor B

Silly geisers
Chris W

Quite a hilarious comedy from the greatest cinematic odd couple of all time. The entire cast (especially Burgess Meredith) is awesome. Stick around for the bloopers at the end...especially after all of the credits are over.
Dean M

Great and howlingly funny tale of two longtime rivals (Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon) fighting over the affections of sexy new neighbour Ann-Margret. The outtakes shown during the closing credits are also great with lots of laugh-filled capper to this comic gem.
Leigh R

So funny...
Jason S

Good fun with the old folks. These two were always at the top of their game.
Naughtia N

I absolutely love this movie, the chemistry between Matthau and Lemon is fantastic. The title pretty much explains the core of this movie as it is about two grumpy men who are neighbours and constantly bitter about every small detail. I remember my father used to love this movie and… More
I absolutely love this movie, the chemistry between Matthau and Lemon is fantastic. The title pretty much explains the core of this movie as it is about two grumpy men who are neighbours and constantly bitter about every small detail. I remember my father used to love this movie and always refered to quotes from these two grumpy men, priceless. So the bottom line is that I always think of my father when I watch this movie. A must-see.
Sarah P

Funny movie. Something I watched as a kid, (which is kind of odd I guess), and is still pretty good.
Sunil J

Not too original after the Odd Couple movies but it's nice to see Lemmon and Matthau together on screen again.
alan j

Jack and Walter are at it again..they been together for so long..a natural fit..
Jim W

I love this movie eventhough it's not a great movie, I just can't help but love it. I really miss, Lemmon and Matthau, they were really good together.
Lee K

hilarious with an all star cast. Watch for burgess meredith as lemmons father hilarious
Christopher B

I really enjoyed this film when it came out, but I doubt it stands the test of time. Do love Lemmon and Matthau though.