The Stupids (1996): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Stupids is a 1996 family comedy directed by John Landis, starring Tom Arnold as Stanley Stupid, Jessica Lundy and Mark Metcalf. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $2.5 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- John Landis
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- New Line Cinema
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Stupids About?
The premise of The Stupids without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A hilariously clueless American family thinks their garbage was stolen and embarks on a wild chase. Their bumbling investigation lands them in an illegal weapons deal, where absurd misunderstandings cause chaotic comedy. Their inept attempts to recover the trash put them face‑to‑face with dangerous criminals, turning a squabble into farcical chaos.
The Stupids Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- stupidity
- garbage
- paranoia
- warehouse
- arms deal
- junkyard
- garbage can
- garbage truck
- family relationships
- chase
- explosion
- restaurant
+38 more Show fewer
- dog
- boy
- fire
- showdown
- disguise
- gun
- police station
- bicycle
- alien
- telephone call
- husband wife relationship
- computer
- girl
- binoculars
- pursuit
- suburb
- exploding car
- cigar smoking
- knocked unconscious
- tattoo
- brother sister relationship
- song
- elevator
- tied to a chair
- roller skates
- barbecue
- chewing gum
- dinosaur skeleton
- crossbow
- flamethrower
- fire extinguisher
- goldfish bowl
- bush
- chloroform
- shoe
- hat
- goldfish
- jumping out of a window
The Stupids Cast & Characters
Tom Arnold leads the cast as Stanley Stupid, with Jessica Lundy as Joan Stupid and Mark Metcalf as Colonel Neidermeyer. Directed by John Landis; 24 actors are credited in all.
-
Director John Landis
-
Tom Arnold as Stanley Stupid - Jessica Lundy as Joan Stupid
- Mark Metcalf as Colonel Neidermeyer
-
Bug Hall as Buster Stupid
Also Starring in The Stupids
· 20 more- Alex McKenna Petunia Stupid
- George Chiang Chinese Waiter #1
- Christopher Lee Evil Sender
- Robert Keeshan Charles Sender
- David Cronenberg Postal Supervisor
- Robert Wise Stanley's Neighbor
- Norman Jewison TV Director
- Atom Egoyan TV Studio Guard
- Frankie Faison The Lloyd
- Gurinder Chadha Reporter #1
- Gillo Pontecorvo Talk show guest
- Mick Garris Reporter #2
- Costa-Gavras Gas Station Attendant
- David Ferry Late-night show host
- Matt Keeslar Lieutenant Neal
- Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg Glamorous Actress
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Rolonda Watts Talk Show Hostess
- Rick Avery Bad Guy
- Anthony J. Mifsud Explosive Guy
- Max Landis Graffiti Artist
More from John Landis
More films directed by John Landis, best-rated first: Animal House, Trading Places, The Kentucky Fried Movie and An American Werewolf in London.
The Stupids Plot Summary
What happens in The Stupids from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Stanley Stupid, Tom Arnold and his wife Joan Stupid, Jessica Lundy, believe they’re repeatedly targeted by a vast conspiracy that steals their garbage every week. To uncover the truth, Stanley tails the garbage truck all the way to the city dump, where he runs into Colonel Neidermeyer, [Mark Metcalf], a former military man who’s selling contraband weapons to terrorists. Mistaking Stanley for a secret agent who has uncovered their operation, Neidermeyer orders him assassinated. After a string of failed attempts that somehow end with Stanley inadvertently eliminating his would-be killers, he narrowly escapes a car bomb and is presumed dead by Neidermeyer.
Full summary
The whole story of The Stupids, scene by scene
The Stupids Box Office
The Stupids grossed $2.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2.5M
- US & Canada
- $2.5M
How Well Do You Know The Stupids?
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
Which actor portrays Stanley Stupid, the father of the Stupid family?
Cars in The Stupids
45 cars on screen, including the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Estate and the 1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van.
-
1985 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Important role -
1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van Important role -
1975 Ford C-Series Important role -
1984 Lincoln Town Car Important role
The Stupids Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “La familia Stupid” and “Eine Familie zum Kotzen”.
- Also known as
-
- La familia Stupid
- Eine Familie zum Kotzen
- Os Babacas
- Vesipäät
- Lökött bagázs
- Glupole
- Семейка придурков
- Kretenckovi
- Els estúpids
- Семейство Тъпови
- Blbouni
- 笨人一族
+2 more Show fewer
- 스투피드
- Сімейка придурків
Seen The Stupids?
Movies Like The Stupids
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Slappy and the Stinkers, Idiots Deluxe and The Stupor Salesman.
The Stupids FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Stupids, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Stupids?
The Stupids runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was The Stupids released?
The Stupids was released on August 8, 1996.
Who directed The Stupids?
The Stupids was directed by John Landis.
More films by John Landis Who is in the cast of The Stupids?
The Stupids stars Tom Arnold as Stanley Stupid, Jessica Lundy as Joan Stupid and Mark Metcalf as Colonel Neidermeyer, among 24 credited actors.
How much did The Stupids make at the box office?
The Stupids grossed $2.5 million worldwide.
Does The Stupids have a post-credit scene?
No. The Stupids 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
