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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Play trailer Poster for Honey, I Shrunk the Kids PG 1989 1h 30m Kids & Family Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. When Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device -- which he thinks is a failure -- and dumps it in the trash, throwing out the kids along with it. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants.
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

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Critics Consensus

Even as its special effects take center stage, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids still offers a charming, high-spirited sense of adventure for the whole family.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
[It's] in the best tradition of Disney -- and even better than that, because it is not so juvenile that adults won't be thoroughly entertained. Go to Full Review
Derek Adams Time Out 02/09/2006
Sterling entertainment... Go to Full Review
Caryn James New York Times 05/20/2003
An old-fashioned romp that conveys a sense of wonder simply by placing young actors next to fantastic oversized props. Go to Full Review
Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania 06/17/2024
4/5
A kid-friendly version that pays homage to the 1957 sci-fi classic The Incredible Shrinking Man [with] the still-impressive special effects, thanks to Joe Johnston’s extensive VFX background in the original Star Wars trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Go to Full Review
Bill Brownstein Montreal Gazette 07/25/2023
2.5/5
No matter what kind of consciousness-raising posture its makers may take, "Honey" is more a triumph of special effects than a social statement. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 06/22/2022
Very enjoyable to watch…a providential solution to taking the kids to the movie, without parental sacrifice. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Richard L @KaneLives 2d A childhood favorite that unfortunately didn't improve with age. The concept is absolutely great, as are the sets and effects, and something can even be said for the simple but cute character interactions and arcs, but too many of the jokes fall flat and the pacing is much too slow to actually hold up for an adult viewer. See more Ethan G @ethdrew05226 Jul 20 8/10. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a fun and imaginative family adventure. The creative story, exciting backyard journey, and impressive special effects make it an entertaining 80s classic. It has plenty of humor, adventure, and memorable moments that make it enjoyable for all ages. See more Chris S @Janomi Jul 4 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids takes a wonderfully simple premise and turns an ordinary backyard into an unforgettable adventure. Joe Johnston's oversized sets, miniatures, animatronics, and practical effects remain remarkably convincing, making every blade of grass, insect, and household object feel like a genuine obstacle. The constant stream of creative challenges keeps the journey fresh while giving the film a real sense of wonder. Rick Moranis is perfectly cast as Wayne Szalinski, bringing warmth, humor, and genuine heart to the eccentric inventor. The young cast also works well together, and their growing teamwork gives the story emotional weight beyond the visual spectacle. The science requires a healthy suspension of disbelief, but that's part of the fun. Even decades later, the imaginative premise, impressive practical filmmaking, and heartfelt family story make Honey, I Shrunk the Kids one of Disney's most entertaining live-action adventures. See more Veerendra A @VeerAgale May 30 This movie is creative and fun with a simple but interesting idea. The kids getting shrunk and exploring a normal backyard like a dangerous work keeps the story engaging. The visual effects are impressive for its time and make the small world perspective feel believable. Overall, it is a family friendly adventure that is easy to watch and enjoy. See more Eric P. @RT51401370 May 12 Still love this flim by telling story about family but it science stuff, shrink objects and kids, and so fun movie. See more Jak C. @Baguette-Cement Mar 29 Pretty good and a classic. See more Read all reviews
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

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Movie Info

Synopsis When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. When Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device -- which he thinks is a failure -- and dumps it in the trash, throwing out the kids along with it. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants.
Director
Joe Johnston
Producer
Penney Finkelman Cox
Screenwriter
Ed Naha, Tom Schulman
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 23, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$130.2M
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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