STX Entertainment | Release Date: August 24, 2018
4.6
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 113 Ratings
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Positive:
35
Mixed:
32
Negative:
46
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3
Tss5078Aug 31, 2018
I really didn't know what to expect from The Happytime Murders, and that's why I went to see it. I wasn't sure if I'd be getting Team America or Roger Rabbit, maybe even a combination of the two. Despite the tagline, that the film wasn'tI really didn't know what to expect from The Happytime Murders, and that's why I went to see it. I wasn't sure if I'd be getting Team America or Roger Rabbit, maybe even a combination of the two. Despite the tagline, that the film wasn't suitable for children, I did expect some level of juvenile humor, but I thought if it has a edge to it and if the mystery is somewhat compelling, maybe it would surprise me, it didn't. Much in the same way that Roger Rabbit had humans and toons living together, with an extreme bias against toons, this world has humans and puppets living together, with a bias against puppets. Phil Phillips (Ryan Tran) claim to fame was as the first puppet to be a police officer, but now he's washed up, and it's brother's fame and his TV show, The Happytime Family, that overshadows him. Phil doesn't care about anything anymore until someone starts killing off the Happytime gang, including his brother, that's when he wants back in, even if his human partner, Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) wants nothing to do with him anymore. The tagline said this film was not intended for kids, but I disagree, because that's exactly who this film is intended for. The comedy is nothing but sex and jokes aimed at a very young crowd. There is no way that adults are going to find most of the comedy in this film even remotely funny. As for the "dramatic" side of the story, the mystery isn't such a mystery, it's so simplistic that you'll know before the first murder even happens. But what about the star of the film, Melissa McCarthy? Well, she plays the same role in just about every film doesn't she? Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, here she just adds to the futility of everything. The bottom line on The Happytime murders is that the story is too basic, the backstory is a complete rip off of Roger Rabbit, and the jokes are so low-brow, that I think even Trey Parker and Matt Stone would pass on using them in a similar film. The true joke here is that this film was ever made. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
aguila9Nov 19, 2018
You know why Team America was a comedy hit? Quality and dedication to the actual puppetry; Convincing and developed story-line and characters; It was actually funny to the point where lie-actors could have done the lines (the puppetry wasYou know why Team America was a comedy hit? Quality and dedication to the actual puppetry; Convincing and developed story-line and characters; It was actually funny to the point where lie-actors could have done the lines (the puppetry was there to make it even funnier). 'Happytime Murders' misses on all three levels. You get generic and completely amateur-time puppets both in look and delivery. A carbon-copy of the Roger Rabbit movie, and just brief setups for quick and stand-alone jokes or situations which kinda miss or get tiring halfway through the movie. If you only see the first 20 minutes you'd walk-away somewhat entertained. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
Daniellockhart0Sep 14, 2018
What is this monstrosity of a film. Its dumb the humor is horrible and the script is awful this was a waste of time and money its not worth the ticket the only good thing about this movie is when it ends well thats all the good in this monstrosity.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
TVJerryAug 28, 2018
Even though this is NOT a Muppets movie (and lost a suit by the makers of "Sesame Street"), the director is Jim Henson's son Brian. It takes place in a world where puppets and humans coexist, but the stuffed creatures are largely scorned.Even though this is NOT a Muppets movie (and lost a suit by the makers of "Sesame Street"), the director is Jim Henson's son Brian. It takes place in a world where puppets and humans coexist, but the stuffed creatures are largely scorned. When the cast of a popular TV show starts being killed, a washed-up puppet detective and his old partner (Melissa McCarthy) team up to solve the case. The selling point (and potential source of much raunchy humor) is the streetwise, foul-mouthed, even X-rated approach to puppets. Notice I said "potential." Even though the energy keeps it from being boring, it's never funny. When will writers learn that F-bombs don't make a line hilarious, especially when it's used in almost every sentence. Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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3
JLuis_001Aug 29, 2018
This film reminded me of ''Sausage Party'' and not because they're similar but because they both use vulgarity, absurdity and coarseness as their pretext for comedy, forgetting about real humor and actual jokes and the result it's veryThis film reminded me of ''Sausage Party'' and not because they're similar but because they both use vulgarity, absurdity and coarseness as their pretext for comedy, forgetting about real humor and actual jokes and the result it's very self-evident: It failed miserably.

Maybe the best news about this film is that it's failing at the box office, so Melissa McCarthy may disappear for a while.
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3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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3
BrianMcCriticAug 24, 2018
After films like Team America and Sausage Party show different types of films that decide to go raunchy and vulgar, you really need to step up and hit on your material and unfortunately The Happytime Murders is a swing and a miss. VulgarAfter films like Team America and Sausage Party show different types of films that decide to go raunchy and vulgar, you really need to step up and hit on your material and unfortunately The Happytime Murders is a swing and a miss. Vulgar puppets from the world of Jim Henson has its chance to be funny but 90% of the jokes fall flat and you're left with a 2nd rate murder mystery. When you decide to make a gimmick film you better deliver this one doesn't. Overall high 3 D+ Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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0
twall3Aug 26, 2018
This is what happens when a creative genius' son shows the world what a pervert he is. Should have kept it a secret.
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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1
AreYouSeriousAug 25, 2018
This movie would be a 10/10... if you had the mentality of a 10 year old. For anyone with half a brain, avoid this inane garbage like the plague.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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0
DavidnbAug 25, 2018
I was going to give it a zero, but Maya Rudolph... Muppets telling lame jokes is fun, muppets being foull and violent is not. Don't get me wrong, I love found language and violence, eat 'em for breakfast, but not funny. Not a good crimeI was going to give it a zero, but Maya Rudolph... Muppets telling lame jokes is fun, muppets being foull and violent is not. Don't get me wrong, I love found language and violence, eat 'em for breakfast, but not funny. Not a good crime movie, not a good comedy, and thee are no truly sympathetic characters. The onty thing you root for is the closing credits, which, come to think of it, are the best part of the movie. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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2
darkbloodshed13Aug 27, 2018
When I heard that Brain Henson was making an R-rated puppet film I was so excited unfortunately this movie doesn't live up to expectations. The story is your basic murder mystery with out any real surprises. It relies on shock humor to getWhen I heard that Brain Henson was making an R-rated puppet film I was so excited unfortunately this movie doesn't live up to expectations. The story is your basic murder mystery with out any real surprises. It relies on shock humor to get laughs but after a while it gets old and lame. It tries be adult by using crude jokes and sexual imagery but unfortunately it comes off as childish. The characters are are boring and uninteresting. The protagonist is a complete ass while the supporting characters are all idiots who's sole purpose is to make the protagonist look smarter. The only one who is at all interesting is Bubbles played by Maya Rudolph. She is the protagonist's secretary and has more personalty than all the other characters combined. In conclusion unless you have nothing better to do stay away from this film. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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3
clarkaddisonSep 13, 2018
I don’t think I liked this. There was a couple of times where I thought something was funny or there was some cool idea, but those quickly died by something crude or un-original. I don’t mind crude humor. I enjoyed sausage party to a degree.I don’t think I liked this. There was a couple of times where I thought something was funny or there was some cool idea, but those quickly died by something crude or un-original. I don’t mind crude humor. I enjoyed sausage party to a degree. South Park has its time and place. This is just a different beast though. Three or four scenes I can think of specifically that are almost scarring. I hate to make it seem like this, but it does seem like you respect it for the puppeteering part or this stuff cracks you up. It does not do the latter for me. I get that some of the puppeteering is cool, I know that there is more than one person working on the puppet and that takes some of the fun away for me. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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2
crankyermaAug 24, 2018
This is what happens when you get a star with no taste who attaches themselves to a lazy, lowest common denominator premise and writers too hacky, uncreative and just plain untalented to find a way to raise the material above it.
5 of 11 users found this helpful56
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0
futurescrnwrtrAug 27, 2018
Make a movie.
Include a lengthy exceedingly graphic sex scene.
Stir in every dark sexual reference. Add 100 f-bombs, every crude word known to man, 20 misuses of "God" and 20 misuses of "Jesus" (the name above every name). Include graphic
Make a movie.
Include a lengthy exceedingly graphic sex scene.
Stir in every dark sexual reference.
Add 100 f-bombs, every crude word known to man, 20 misuses of "God" and 20 misuses of "Jesus" (the name above every name).
Include graphic violence, drug use and gambling.
FINALLY add lots of cute muppet characters to ENSURE that every innocent kid on the planet will be drawn to watch this filth.

"Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" Matthew 18:5-7
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3 of 9 users found this helpful36
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2
RaygirlAug 25, 2018
Really silly movie, very short in length (didn't mind though since it wasn't good). Waste of time. I wouldn't even recommend it for a dollar theater price. One good scene involving silly string and a nod to Basic Instinct. But those wereReally silly movie, very short in length (didn't mind though since it wasn't good). Waste of time. I wouldn't even recommend it for a dollar theater price. One good scene involving silly string and a nod to Basic Instinct. But those were the only 2 memorable moments in this garbage flick. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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0
RattazustraSep 21, 2018
I thought that Melissa McCarthy could not do any worse after Ghostbuster. I was so wrong. She has a certain talent, but making funny movies is not one of them. Quite the contrary. Whatever movie she stars in becomes dramatically LESS funnyI thought that Melissa McCarthy could not do any worse after Ghostbuster. I was so wrong. She has a certain talent, but making funny movies is not one of them. Quite the contrary. Whatever movie she stars in becomes dramatically LESS funny and likeable. Maybe that could be exploited for the production of something incredibly sober and dry. If she'd play a character that the audience is supposed to hate, she could really excel. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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2
KadeemluvmusicAug 27, 2018
If you wanna watch a very good movie about pupppets and some unadulterated raunchy humor, I recommend either 2 Ted movies or Team America World Police. Because I’m sick and tired of Melissa McCarthy’s schtick over the years after the veryIf you wanna watch a very good movie about pupppets and some unadulterated raunchy humor, I recommend either 2 Ted movies or Team America World Police. Because I’m sick and tired of Melissa McCarthy’s schtick over the years after the very underrated Ghostbusters reboot. I could honestly say that The Happytime Murders could be a shoe-in for Worst Movie of 2018. At least Life Of The Party was decent but pretty forgettable. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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1
MattBrady99Apr 1, 2019
One of the best murder mysteries in recent memory.

From start till finish I was hooked, and the ending was totally not lame at all. I'm struggling to gasp why this was so poorly received. Maybe it's too smart for them? Or maybe the critics
One of the best murder mysteries in recent memory.

From start till finish I was hooked, and the ending was totally not lame at all. I'm struggling to gasp why this was so poorly received. Maybe it's too smart for them? Or maybe the critics are being paid from Marvel to trash the movie, because that has to be the reason, right?

Anywhere, Melissa McCarthy is absolutely amazing in this movie. A comedic genius with hidden details in her character. My only issue with McCarthy performance, which is a small **** nitpick by the way, but I wished she fell over more to add an extra laugh in my miserable life. Of course that's one complain that unfortunately stops it from being a 6/5, but it still stands at a 5/5, so yeah.

Everything else on a technical stand point is flawless. I love how the movie looks with it being overly light and no way dose it look like a cheap TV movie on Netflix. Detective Phil Philips is so relatable as a character and more down to earth than any human. He might be my new favorite character of all time, right behind Dylan from 'Fateful Findings'.

Brian Henson, well done - I'm proud of you.

EDIT: April fools!
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
silveukDec 31, 2018
I am starting to think any movies with Melisa McCarthy just are not funny and utterly depressing and desperate, I think I am going to avoid films with Melisa, The film was OK to watch, I was enjoying it until Melisa came in and did her usualI am starting to think any movies with Melisa McCarthy just are not funny and utterly depressing and desperate, I think I am going to avoid films with Melisa, The film was OK to watch, I was enjoying it until Melisa came in and did her usual slander match with anything that breaths and farts, which is the one dimension she plays. The movie it self was boring and didn't really make me laugh so I was disappointed. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
Alex-SApr 15, 2019
Not only is this film insulting (to Muppet fans and to anyone with the sense of humor beyond a five year old), disgusting, and just boring, it's also the biggest disappointment out of any film that has come out in the past decade. This movieNot only is this film insulting (to Muppet fans and to anyone with the sense of humor beyond a five year old), disgusting, and just boring, it's also the biggest disappointment out of any film that has come out in the past decade. This movie could've been amazing, or at least half way decent if the people tried hard enough; but despite them taking 10+ years to shove this garbage out they clearly did not give a **** It's not just because of the terrible performance of Ghostbusters (2016)'s Melissa McCarthy, the constant non stop sex jokes, mediocre puppet performance (with even worse line delivery), The obvious mystery that completely wastes the film's time if the sex jokes didn't do that enough, or even the god awful pacing; It's the fact that this could've and should've been the best thing to come out in years. But unfortunately, it's just another pile of **** to put on the list of terrible movies. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
RevUBrahJun 6, 2021
The last time I was so thoroughly disappointed by a movie it was seeing Adam Sandler's "Pixels" in theaters, an event I'm not sure my closest friends ever truly forgave me for. That film could at least hold the title of "so bad it's good",The last time I was so thoroughly disappointed by a movie it was seeing Adam Sandler's "Pixels" in theaters, an event I'm not sure my closest friends ever truly forgave me for. That film could at least hold the title of "so bad it's good", this one couldn't even reach that status. The moment I saw Melissa McCarthy come onscreen I knew I had made a fatal error but I was committed to see it through, a decision that will haunt me until the day I die. I gave it a 2/10 to represent the amount of chuckles I was able to get out of its 1.5 hour runtime. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
TRANSFORMERSFANMar 11, 2021
worst movie ever form 2018 along with teen titans go to the movies! a big disgrace to the muppets!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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1
CodycrossOct 21, 2021
I detest this movie because this movie is a rip off of The Muppets. This includes the characters.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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