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Trailer+1 trailer

*batteries not included

1987Movie1 h 47 minPG

ComedyFamily
60
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Metacritic546.1Rotten Tomatoes57%64%

A heartwarming, uplifting family movie about family and fantasy.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for brutality.

Movies with

Story

Five ordinary people needed a miracle. Then one night, Faye Riley left the window open.

In a soon to be demolished block of apartments, the residents resist the criminal methods used to force them to leave so a greedy tycoon can build his new skyscraper. When tiny mechanical aliens land for a recharge, they decide to stay and help out.

Feels like

  • Feel-Good Family Film
  • Magical Realism
  • Underdogs vs. Corporation
  • Heartwarming
  • Gentle Sci-Fi
  • Nostalgic
  • Community Resilience
  • Optimistic
  • Quirky

Cast

18 of 18

Crew

Directed by
Matthew Robbins
Written by
Brad Bird, Mick Garris, S.S. Wilson
Produced by
Ronald L. Schwary
Music by
James Horner

Everyone

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

Facts

December 18, 1987 · 1 h 47 min · PG

Released
December 18, 1987
Runtime
1 h 47 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Family, Comedy, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$25 million
Box office
$65 million
Available in
70 countries

Tropes

Ridiculously Cute Critter, What Happened to the Mouse?, The Cuckoolander Was Right +9

  • Ridiculously Cute Critter
  • What Happened to the Mouse?
  • The Cuckoolander Was Right
  • Buzzing the Deck
  • The Quiet One
  • Childhood Memory Demolition Team
  • Armor-Piercing Response
  • Kick the Dog
  • Speaks in Shout-Outs
  • Title Drop
  • Cloud Cuckoolander
  • Androcles' Lion

12 of 49 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream *batteries not included?"

Questions about *batteries not included

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream *batteries not included?

In the United States, you can rent or buy *batteries not included from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 12 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is *batteries not included worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 57%, and Metacritic 54).

Is *batteries not included okay for kids?

PG

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will *batteries not included make me laugh?

A touch

Not much for a comedy: the title analysis gives its humor 1 of 4.

Can I half-watch *batteries not included?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

What tropes does *batteries not included use?

Ridiculously Cute CritterWhat Happened to the Mouse?The Cuckoolander Was RightBuzzing the DeckThe Quiet OneChildhood Memory Demolition TeamArmor-Piercing ResponseKick the DogSpeaks in Shout-OutsTitle DropCloud CuckoolanderAndrocles' Lionand 37 more

TV Tropes lists 49 tropes for it, including Ridiculously Cute Critter, What Happened to the Mouse?, and The Cuckoolander Was Right.