Problem Child (1990): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Problem Child is a 1990 family comedy directed by Dennis Dugan, starring John Ritter and Michael Oliver. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes and earned $72.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 27 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 21m (81 min)
- Director
- Dennis Dugan
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Problem Child About?
The premise of Problem Child without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A couple hoping to start a family adopts a mischievous seven-year-old boy named Junior. They quickly discover that he's a handful, displaying a penchant for chaos and a bizarre sense of humor. Junior's antics cause trouble for everyone around him, testing the couple's patience and turning their lives upside down. His unpredictable behavior leads to a series of hilarious and destructive events.
Problem Child Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- boy
- slapstick comedy
- mischief
- naughty child
- prank
- adoption
- adoptive father adopted son relationship
- child
- 1990s
- 7 year old boy
- bow tie
- serial killer
+38 more Show fewer
- camping
- birthday
- nun
- bear
- birthday party
- camping trip
- rorschach
- rorschach test
- prison psychiatrist
- prison guard
- electric chair
- f word
- swearing
- car chase
- chase
- girl
- parrot
- male protagonist
- exploding cake
- dog
- two word title
- rescue
- kidnapping
- brat
- scene during opening credits
- violence
- baseball
- faked death
- pig
- practical joke
- orphan
- arrest
- mooning
- ambulance
- firecracker
- orphanage
- campfire
- shootout
Problem Child Cast
John Ritter leads the cast, with Michael Oliver. Directed by Dennis Dugan.
-
Director Dennis Dugan
Problem Child Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Problem Child 27 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 27 Metascore
User score 5.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
Problem Child Plot Summary
What happens in Problem Child from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ben Healy Jr. is a well-meaning yet beleaguered yuppie, feeling stifled by the overbearing shadow of his father, John Ritter, who goes by “Big Ben” Healy Sr. As the patriarch campaigns for mayor with an iron grip, Ben’s life stagnates, particularly due to his wife Flo’s struggles with fertility, leaving him feeling like a mere extension of his father’s legacy. In his desperate quest for solace, he turns to the questionable adoption agency led by Igor Peabody, and what he gets is a pint-sized chaos machine named Junior, a mischievous 7-year-old.
Full summary
The whole story of Problem Child, scene by scene
Problem Child Box Office
Problem Child grossed $72.3 million worldwide. $53.5 million came from the US and Canada and $18.8 million (26%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$72.3M
- US & Canada
- $53.5M
- International
- $18.8M
Problem Child Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Problem Child.
How Well Do You Know Problem Child?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- 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
Who is Ben Healy Jr.'s father?
Cars in Problem Child
27 cars on screen, including the 1983 Jeep Wagoneer and the 1974 Chevrolet Impala.
-
1983 Jeep Wagoneer Main role -
1974 Chevrolet Impala Important role -
1989 Daihatsu Charade Important role -
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Wagon Important role
Problem Child Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “Junior le terrible” and “Le petit monstre”.
- Also known as
-
- Junior le terrible
- Le petit monstre
- Problem Child 1
- Piccola Peste
- Adorable Criatura
- Piccola Peste 1
- 宝贝反斗星
- プロブレム・チャイルド/うわさの問題児
- プロブレム・チャイルド うわさの問題児
- Mi Pobre Diablillo
- So ein Satansbraten
- Трудный ребенок
+16 more Show fewer
- Satungen
- Este chico es un demonio
- Talpig Zűrben
- O Pestinha
- Ten kluk je postrach
- מותק
- הילד השתגע
- Kochany Urwis
- Problem Çocuk
- Ten chlapec je postrach
- Far, mor og møgunge
- Τo τρομερό παιδί
- 쥬니어는 문제아
- 天才小捣蛋
- Проблемна дитина
- プロブレム・チャイルド／うわさの問題児
Seen Problem Child?
Movies Like Problem Child
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Junior, The Extraordinary Child and Rent-a-Kid.
Problem Child FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Problem Child, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Problem Child?
Problem Child runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).
When was Problem Child released?
Problem Child was released on July 27, 1990.
Who directed Problem Child?
Problem Child was directed by Dennis Dugan.
More films by Dennis Dugan Who is in the cast of Problem Child?
Problem Child stars John Ritter and Michael Oliver.
How much did Problem Child make at the box office?
Problem Child grossed $72.3 million worldwide ($53.5 million domestic, $18.8 million international).
How is Problem Child rated?
Problem Child has 27 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Does Problem Child have a post-credit scene?
No. Problem Child 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
