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Trailer

Bowfinger

1999Movie1 h 37 minPG-13

Comedy
71
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.5Letterboxd3.4/5Metacritic737.3Rotten Tomatoes83%61%

A hopeful, fast-paced comedy movie about show business and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

The con is on.

On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue, a has-been diva and a film studio gofer, he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey -- only without letting Ramsey know he's in the picture.

Feels like

  • Hollywood Satire
  • Low-Budget Filmmaking
  • Physical Comedy
  • Showbiz Parody
  • Fast-Paced
  • Cringe Humor
  • Star-Studded
  • Comfort Watch

Cast

22 of 22

Crew

Directed by
Frank Oz
Written by
Steve Martin
Produced by
Brian Grazer
Music by
David Newman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 12, 1999 · 1 h 37 min · PG-13

Released
August 12, 1999
Runtime
1 h 37 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$55 million
Box office
$99 million
Available in
80 countries

Tropes

Casting Couch, Stylistic Suck, Evil Gloating +9

  • Casting Couch
  • Stylistic Suck
  • Evil Gloating
  • Large Ham
  • Didn't Think This Through
  • The Illegal
  • Wimp Fight
  • Decoy Protagonist
  • The Un-Favorite
  • Always Identical Twins
  • And the Adventure Continues
  • Chekhov's Gun

12 of 60 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Bowfinger?"

Questions about Bowfinger

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bowfinger?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Bowfinger from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 24 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Bowfinger worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71 (IMDb 6.5, Letterboxd 3.4 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 73). Critics rate it higher (78 out of 100) than audiences (67).

Is Bowfinger okay for kids?

PG-13Strong language

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Will Bowfinger make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly slapstick (8 of 10) and situational comedy (7 of 10).

Will I feel good after watching Bowfinger?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 7 of 10 for hopefulness and 4 for wholesome.

What tropes does Bowfinger use?

Casting CouchStylistic SuckEvil GloatingLarge HamDidn't Think This ThroughThe IllegalWimp FightDecoy ProtagonistThe Un-FavoriteAlways Identical TwinsAnd the Adventure ContinuesChekhov's Gunand 48 more

TV Tropes lists 60 tropes for it, including Casting Couch, Stylistic Suck, and Evil Gloating.