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Houseguest

Play trailer Poster for Houseguest PG 1995 1h 49m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
18% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Fast-talking con man Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) is in over his head: He owes $50,000 to the mob, and they want to collect. On the run, Franklin happens upon lawyer Gary Young (Phil Hartman) and his family, who are waiting for an old friend Young hasn't seen in 25 years. Taking the opportunity for another con -- and to save his neck -- Franklin convinces Young he's the old friend and becomes the family's houseguest. He has a great hideout from the mob, but the Mafia henchmen are still on his trail.
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Houseguest

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Critics Consensus

Perplexingly unfunny given the involvement of its two hilarious leads, Houseguest wears out its welcome almost immediately.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune May 24, 2019
2/4
Sinbad is a genial soul and his goodwill remains untouched by the mostly amateurish Houseguest. Go to Full Review Caryn James New York Times May 20, 2003
Turns out to be an inane fish-out-of-water comedy. Along the way it turns into a virtual McDonald's commercial, too. The fact that you can hardly tell the difference is a good clue to the movie's bad-television flavor. Go to Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Feb 13, 2001
3/5
As good-natured as its big, beefy star, comedian Sinbad. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Oct 1, 2023
2.5/4
...an appealingly over-the-top premise that’s employed to watchable yet thoroughly erratic effect... Go to Full Review Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Mar 14, 2022
1.5/4
It's an OK message, but do we have to have jokes this bad to go with it? Go to Full Review TV Guide Aug 12, 2009
1/4
Comedy at its most formulaic. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Christian H. @KXNGL Jan 11, 2026 Love this movie. A good ‘pass the time’ film. See more Frank W. @RT08622445 Jan 1, 2026 A childhood staple. My kids loved it as much as I did at their age. See more Noah S @RT50020207 Sep 23, 2025 This movie is FUNNY! laugh out loud abd tune in for a great family movie and is a childhood staple See more G S @RT25843878 Sep 23, 2025 This movie is hilarious for all generations. We grew up watching this nightly and is a hilarious and even a classic in our home. A movie our new generation children grew up on and still love to this day!! See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 21, 2025 Unfunny in 1 hour and 49 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $26,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Anton H @RT23886119 Nov 19, 2024 Big laughs are lacking here, to the disappointment of the two leads’ fans, but there’s enough harmless fun that made this a worthwhile video rental since its release. And of course, Sinbad is just so darn likable, even though his comedic chops mostly fall short. See more Read all reviews
Houseguest

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Cast & Crew

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Randall Miller

Director

Sinbad

Kevin Franklin

Phil Hartman

Gary Young

Jeffrey Jones

Ron Timmerman

Kim Greist

Emily Young

Stan Shaw

Larry

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Houseguest

Houseguest (1995) Houseguest (1995) Houseguest (1995) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Fast-talking con man Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) is in over his head: He owes $50,000 to the mob, and they want to collect. On the run, Franklin happens upon lawyer Gary Young (Phil Hartman) and his family, who are waiting for an old friend Young hasn't seen in 25 years. Taking the opportunity for another con -- and to save his neck -- Franklin convinces Young he's the old friend and becomes the family's houseguest. He has a great hideout from the mob, but the Mafia henchmen are still on his trail.
Director
Randall Miller
Producer
Joe Roth, Roger Birnbaum
Production Co
Caravan Pictures, Hollywood Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 6, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$26.3M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround
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