Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

40% Tomatometer 154 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings

During the holidays, loving but overprotective Ned (Bryan Cranston) travels to California to visit his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at Stanford University. While there, he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). Even though Laird is a multimillionaire, Ned disapproves of his freewheeling attitude and unfiltered language. His panic level escalates even further when he learns that Laird plans to ask for Stephanie's hand in marriage.

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Why Him?

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Critics Consensus

Solidly cast but overall misconceived, Why Him? offers the odd chuckle, but ultimately adds disappointingly little to its tired father-vs.-fiancé formula.

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Critics Reviews

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Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Wendy Ide Observer (UK) If the film drags a little at the end, it's perhaps because the film-makers were enjoying the company of these characters as much as the audience undoubtedly will. Rated: 4/5 Jan 1, 2017 Full Review Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) Why Him? has all the flaws you'd expect, from the non-existent visual style to the shortchanging of the women in the cast. Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 28, 2016 Full Review Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Donald Clarke Irish Times We do not predict a lifespan to compare with that of Meet the Parents. Rated: 2/5 Dec 27, 2016 Full Review Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Why Him? Why me? Rated: 1.5/4 Aug 17, 2021 Full Review Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Balances raunchy humour - an awkward electronic toilet sequence rivals anything from the Adam Sandler canon - with actual heartfelt storytelling resulting in an enjoyably bawdy holiday pastime. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 3, 2021 Full Review Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Ricardo Gallegos Pólvora It consistently makes you laugh throughout the 110 minute duration. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 2, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Emilia R Really disappointed with this movie, since they advertised it so well! I was looking forward to watching it for ages but never got round to it, now I have and it was awful couldn’t even get to the end, the kind of movie you watch hoping to get better but stays at the same place, literally nothing happens from start to finish and the scenes are way to long and fizzles out yet the camera guy keeps recording( can’t believe they got Elon Musk in for it)!!! GARBAGE Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review OSCAR P Complete garbage--what a shame Bryon Cranston even agreed to this crap. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review W. Scott S Wow. I wasn't expecting that. This movie is great! It came on after watching another movie on Hulu and I ended up laughing hysterically at it! It's severely underrated by both the critics and the audience IMO.This is so awkwardly HILARIOUS! As a Dad with 3 daughters, it may have struck my funny bone a little more than others, but I feel there is enough humor in here for many to relate to. How can you not laugh at a movie with Megan Mullally, Keegan-Michael Key and Cedric The Entertainer? Bryan Cranston was great as a Dad who wants only the best for his daughter. If you've seen it before 8 years ago and didn't like it, maybe you need to give it another chance? So many great lines, moments, and situations. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Trevor G Probably the worst movie I've ever seen. It' one continuous James Franco monologue inappropriately violating boundaries and disrespecting everyone around him. That is literally the entire movie. Cringe the entire movie every single scene. Highly do not recommend. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Audience Member Overall i think it was a solid good movie. It had a good meaningful story, a lot of good lessons and a great ending. Very intriguing and had me hooked the whole time!! I will say it’s a little cliche and nothing crazy out of the new but still a great film. If you thought it wasn’t funny you need to get that stick up out of your butt and stop being such a debby downer. Super funny and a good watch!! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Euan S An actually funny comedy with a good, recognisable cast. The humour isn’t too predictable which makes the film more enjoyable. It’s one to rewatch but you need to wait a long time or else it’s a bit dry. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

John Hamburg Director James Franco Laird Mayhew Bryan Cranston Ned Fleming Zoey Deutch Stephanie Fleming Megan Mullally Barb Fleming Griffin Gluck Scotty Fleming
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Why Him?

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Why Him?

Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Photo Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Why Him? (2016) Why Him? (2016) Why Him? (2016) View more photos

Synopsis During the holidays, loving but overprotective Ned (Bryan Cranston) travels to California to visit his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at Stanford University. While there, he meets his biggest nightmare: her well-meaning but socially awkward boyfriend, Laird (James Franco). Even though Laird is a multimillionaire, Ned disapproves of his freewheeling attitude and unfiltered language. His panic level escalates even further when he learns that Laird plans to ask for Stephanie's hand in marriage.

Director
John Hamburg

Producer
Shawn Levy, Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Dan Levine

Screenwriter
John Hamburg, Ian Helfer

Distributor
20th Century Fox

Production Co
21 Laps Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, Red Hour Productions

Rating
R (Strong Language|Sexual Material Throughout)

Genre
Holiday, Comedy

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 23, 2016, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 14, 2017

Box Office (Gross USA)
$60.2M

Runtime
1h 51m

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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Why Him? | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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