Happy, Texas (1999): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Happy, Texas is a 1999 romantic comedy directed by Mark Illsley, starring Steve Zahn, Jeremy Northam and William H. Macy. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2000. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Mark Illsley
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Miramax Films
- Budget
- $2.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Happy, Texas About?
The premise of Happy, Texas without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Two escaped bank robbers, Harry and Wayne, attempt to evade capture by assuming the identities of a gay couple in the unusual town of Happy, Texas. Their plan is complicated by a local beauty pageant and the unexpected romantic interests they encounter. As they try to maintain their disguise and prepare for their next heist, their carefully constructed charade is threatened by the chaotic beauty pageant and the growing complications of their assumed personas.
Happy, Texas Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- pretending to be gay
- escaped convict
- beauty pageant
- texas
- small town
- gay bar
- man dances with a man
- couple
- idiosyncratic humor
- satire comedy
- gay character
- man courts a man
+38 more Show fewer
- charm
- homosexual stereotype
- singing
- morality
- gay stereotype
- homosexual character
- erotic facial massage
- fish out of water scenario
- feature film directorial debut
- female banker
- sexual orientation
- con man
- director co writer
- running gag
- female teacher
- men holding hands
- pageant
- banker
- teacher
- vault
- telephone call
- shaving
- shackles
- rural setting
- roadkill
- recreational vehicle
- rabbit
- rabbit's foot
- push ups
- prison
- prisoner
- prayer
- marshal
- little girl
- kiss
- key
- jumpsuit
- fax
Happy, Texas Cast
Steve Zahn leads the cast, with Jeremy Northam and William H. Macy. Directed by Mark Illsley; 4 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mark Illsley
More from Mark Illsley
One more film directed by Mark Illsley: Bookies.
Happy, Texas Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Happy, Texas 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 82% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 56%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 5.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB
Happy, Texas Plot Summary
What happens in Happy, Texas from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Three prisoners escape from a chain gang, and two of them, Wayne Steve Zahn and Harry Jeremy Northam, steal an RV. They soon discover the RV belongs to two gay men who travel around Texas as consultants for beauty pageants. They are apprehended by Chappy Dent William H. Macy, the sheriff of Happy, Texas, who mistakes the escapees for the pageant organizers. Posing as the organizers, Wayne and Harry pitch in to help with the pageant while dodging the law and waiting for an opportunity to rob the local bank.
Full summary
The whole story of Happy, Texas, scene by scene
Happy, Texas Box Office & Budget
Happy, Texas grossed $2 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget, 78% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$2M
78% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $2M
- Budget
- $2.5M
Happy, Texas Awards & Nominations
Happy, Texas won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2000.
1 win1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2000 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Supporting Male – Steve Zahn
Happy, Texas Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Happy, Texas (1/10) Movie CLIP - Vigilante Justice (1999) HD
How Well Do You Know Happy, Texas?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What vehicle do Wayne and Harry steal after escaping from prison?
Seen Happy, Texas?
Movies Like Happy, Texas
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Happy Sad, Happy New Year and Happy Endings.
Happy, Texas FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Happy, Texas, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Happy, Texas?
Happy, Texas runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Happy, Texas released?
Happy, Texas was released on October 1, 1999.
Who directed Happy, Texas?
Happy, Texas was directed by Mark Illsley.
More films by Mark Illsley Who is in the cast of Happy, Texas?
Happy, Texas stars Steve Zahn, Jeremy Northam and William H. Macy, among 4 credited actors.
How much did Happy, Texas make at the box office?
Happy, Texas grossed $2 million worldwide on a budget of $2.5 million.
How is Happy, Texas rated?
Happy, Texas has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.
What awards did Happy, Texas win?
Happy, Texas won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2000.
Does Happy, Texas have a post-credit scene?
No. Happy, Texas has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
