Kingpin (1996)
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50% of critics liked it
(36 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(77,736 ratings)
In the '70s, Roy Munsen (Woody Harrelson) was a bowling phenomenon. He was none too sharp about picking friends, though, and the champion he had to beat, "Big Ern," takes him under his supposedly friendly wing. Big Ern (Bill Murray) shows him the high-living lifestyle, and induces him… More In the '70s, Roy Munsen (Woody Harrelson) was a bowling phenomenon. He was none too sharp about picking friends, though, and the champion he had to beat, "Big Ern," takes him under his supposedly friendly wing. Big Ern (Bill Murray) shows him the high-living lifestyle, and induces him to go on the road with him, hustling small-town bowlers. A couple of the men he bilks take exception to the scam, and show their displeasure with Roy by mangling his hand. Twenty years later, Roy (who now has a hook in place of his hand), earns his living as a salesman. On a visit to a bowling alley, he cannot help but notice the incredible talents of an Amish boy, Ishmael (Randy Quaid). Bowling is not part of the Amish lifestyle, but Ishmael occasionally sneaks into the bowling alley and plays a frame or two. Roy takes Ishmael under his wing, and together they begin a quest for bowling success. This comedy is directed by Peter and Robert Farrelly, who also directed Dumb and Dumber. Like those comedies, it contains a lot of gross-out jokes and bathroom humor. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jul 26, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Mike Clark, USA Today
With maybe 25 belly laughs, the brazenly crude Kingpin is often uproarious, but be forewarned that its creators apparently conceived it underneath a limbo bar. How looow can a funny guilty pleasure go?
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Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Ribald bowling comedy is vintage Farrelly brothers.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
The combination of the overkill factor and a basic mean-spiritedness finally sinks it for me.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
I found the sleazy comedy more tedious than watching an actual bowling match.
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Ends up with a seven-ten split between hilariously tasteless and just plain distasteful.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Woody Harrelson
as Roy Munson
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Randy Quaid
as Ishmael
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Vanessa Angel
as Claudia
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Bill Murray
as Ernie McCracken
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Chris Elliott
as The Gambler
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William Jordan
as Mr. Boorg
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Clint Allen
as Store Clerk
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Chris Berman
as Himself
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Hank Brandt
as Bowling Priest
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Andre Rosey Brown
as Skidmark's Friend
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George Christy
as Stiffy's Announcer
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Willie Garson
as Purse Snatcher
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Daniel Greene
as Calvert Munson
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Googy Gress
as Lancaster Bowl Manager
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Purdence Wright Holmes
as Mrs. Boorg
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Cecile Krevoy
as Sexy Senior Bowler
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Thomas Lupo
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
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Michele Matheson
as Rebecca
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Hillary Matthews
as Mother With Carriage
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Rob Moran
as Stanley Osmanski
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Joshua Nelson
as Unified Fund Kid
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Kevin O'Brien
as Pizza Guy
-
Mark Roth
as Pro Bowler
-
Chris Schenkel
as Himself
-
Victoria Scott
as Unified Fund Mom
-
Lin Shaye
as Landlady
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Steven Stabler
as TV Cameraman
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Jeffrey Thomas
as Tournament Liaison
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Richard Tyson
as Owner Of Stiffy's
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Rachel Wagner
as Unified Fund Mom
- Scott Williams
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Rick Barker
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
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Andy Taylor
as Custodian
- David Sullivan
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John Jordan
as Skidmark's Friend
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Sidney Bartholomew Jr.
as Tavern Drunk
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Michael Corrente
as Scranton Wino
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Jonathan "Earl" Stein
as Bowling Farmer
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Libby Langdon
as Skidmark's Squirrel
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Liza
as Tavern Drunk
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Zen Gesner
as Thomas
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David Shackelford
as Red Neck Stutterer
- Kim Morgan Greene
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Jonathan Richman
as Tavern Band
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Mark Charpentier
as 1979 Bowling Buddy
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Patrick Healy
as Urinal Boy
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Lorri Bagley
as Beautiful Dancer
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Mike Cerrone
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
- John-Eliot Jordan
- Mike Healey
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Jackie Flynn
as Dog Boy
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Sean Gildea
as McKnight Bowl Bartender
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Elizabeth Jordan
as Silver Legacy Maid
- Kelsey Jordan
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Brian Mone
as Psycho
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E. Danny Murphy
as Beaver Valley Bowl Manager
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Will Rothhaar
as Young Roy
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Kenny Griswold
as Barfly
- Jay W. Yowler
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Blues Traveler
as Amish Band
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Joe David Marcus
as Sexy Senior Bowler
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Roger Clemens
as Skidmark
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The Artist Formerly Known As Docky
as Uncle Willy
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Sayed Badreya
as Fatima
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Jim Ahern
as Sport
- Stephen Alison
-
Billy Andrade
as 1979 Bowling Buddy
- Jimmy Badstibner
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Willie Beauchene
as Bunion Boy
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George Bedard
as Barfly
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Jim Blake
as Amish Saw Guy
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Parker Bohn III
as Pro Bowler
- Rolf Brekke
- Michael K. Budge
- Susan A. Burig
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Aggie Byers
as Tournament Sign-Up Lady
- Dave Byers
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Jessica Byers
as Big Ern's Valet
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Julie Byers
as Big Ern's Valet
- Tom Byers
- Gary Carano
- Glenn Carano
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Linda Carola
as 1979 Waitress
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Mike Cavallo
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
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Taryn Chilivis
as Cute Mother
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John Cioffoletti
as Philips Head Bowler
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Kevin Civale
as Pro Bowler
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Louis Charles Consolo
as Stiffy's Goon
- Brandon Cook
- Ron Cowan
- Jimmy D'Andrea
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Paul DeWolf
as 1979 Bowling Buddy
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Jon Dennis
as Himself
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Kathy Farrelly
as Bowling Biker Babe
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Mariann Farrelly
as Tournament Sign-Up Lady
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Nancy Farrelly
as Nouchi's Gal
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Brad Faxon
as 1979 Bowling Buddy
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Herbie Flynn
as Scranton Wino
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Clem "Mandingo" Franek
as Bowling Steelworker
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Nancy Frey-Jarecki
as Sarah Boorg
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Scott Gasbarro
as Amish Dancing Dude
- Robin Gau
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Steven R. Gehrke
as Bowling Steelworker
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Cynthia Farrelly Gesner
as Silver Legacy Maid
- Denverly Grant
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Sid Greenbud
as Tavern Drunk
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Andrew Greenbury
as Amish Kid
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Nicholas Greenbury
as Amish Kid
- Paula Gregg
- Christine Hampton
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Ryan Heggs
as Baby in Carriage
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William Heggs
as Baby in Carriage
- J.J. Hill
- Jane Hill
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Justin Hromek
as Pro Bowler
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Sarah Hughes
as Cocktail Waitress
- Mina Javid
- Tommy Jordan
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Don Julio
as Pro Bowler
- Alfons Kettner
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Melinda Kocsis
as Unified Fund Mom
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Joe "Smokey" Krawlicky
as Pennsylvania Hall O' Fame Bowler
- David Lane Langford
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Tommy Larkins
as Tavern Band
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Tom Leasca
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
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Wallace Lester
as Tavern Drunk
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Joe Lewis
as Barfly
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Pucky Lippincott
as Amish Bellringer
- Mike Listorti
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Stacy Lundin
as Bowling Biker Babe
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Jill Lytle
as Odour Eater Babe
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Helen Manfull
as Grandma Boorg
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Ray McCort
as Pilot
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Gordie Merrick
as Bowling Steelworker
- Chris Meyers
- Michelle Meyers
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Mark Miosky
as Skidmark's Friend
- Beth Mone
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Morganna
as Herself
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Terry Mullany
as Amish Saw Guy
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John Neary
as Mission Priest
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Brad Norton
as MIA Guy
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Ron Palumbi Jr.
as Pro Bowler
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Danielle Parsons
as Silver Legacy Waitress
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Mark Pauperas
as Tavern Drunk
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Randy Pederson
as Pro Bowler
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Paul Pelletier
as Beaver Bowl Hustler
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John Popper
as Bowling Tournament Announcer
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Jane Pratt
as TV Interviewer
- Steve E. Ranger
- Joyce Rover
- Herman Santiesteban
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Jimmy Shay
as Invisible Hustler
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Monica Shay
as 1979 Dinner Floozy
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Rose Smith-Lotenero
as Amish Babe
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Chris Spain
as Amish Saw Guy
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Alex Stohn
as Bowling Farmer
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Mary Stohn
as Sexy Senior Bowler
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Lisa Stothard
as Unified Fund Mom
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Kipp Stroden
as Tavern Drunk
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John Stroehman
as Stiffy's Goon
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Brian Stube
as Amish Saw Guy
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Warren Tashjian
as Courtesy Call Guy
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Robby Thibeau
as Lucas Boorg
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Preston Thomas
as Tournament Liaison
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Gretchen Treser
as Make-Out Queen
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Urge Overkill
as National Anthem Band
- Danielle Valenciano
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Brian Voss
as Pro Bowler
- Adam I. Wallace
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Mark "Chief" Wasler
as Make-Out King
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Bob Weeks
as Waiter
- Jodi-Ann Wimer
- Shannon Wimer
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Joanne Wolfe
as Silver Legacy Waitress
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John Woodin
as Bowling Steelworker
- Bob Zampano
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Steve Tyler
as Gas Station Attendant



