Harry and the Hendersons

Watch Harry and the Hendersons

"When You Can't Believe Your Eyes, Trust Your Heart."
  • PG
  • 1987
  • 1 hr 50 min
  • 6.1  (37,982)
  • 42

In 1987, director William Dear brought the audience the heartwarming family adventure movie, "Harry and the Hendersons." Starring John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Margaret Langrick, the movie tells the tale of a suburban family that accidentally hits and adopts a Sasquatch, whom they name Harry. The movie begins with the Henderson family returning from a camping trip in the Pacific Northwest. On their way back, they hit something large and furry with their car. Thinking it's a bear, they strap it to the roof of their car and take it home to mount as a trophy. However, when the creature turns out to be alive, they realize their mistake and take it into their home.

The Hendersons soon discover that their new house guest is not a bear at all, but a Sasquatch. They also realize that Harry is intelligent, gentle, and highly empathetic towards the family. From here, the family tries to keep Harry's existence a secret from the rest of the world and tries to find a way to restore him to his natural habitat.

As the movie progresses, it shows the family's attempt to protect Harry from an unscrupulous hunter, Dr. Wallace Wrightwood (David Suchet) who is determined to capture the Sasquatch, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, the Hendersons form a deep emotional bond with Harry and struggle to let him go back to the wild.

The film provides an interesting contrast between the sentimental, family-friendly elements of the story and the scientific/mechanical components of the plot. The latter is depicted through the character of George, the father of the family played by John Lithgow. George is the kind of dad who loves to tinker with machines and fix things around the house. In the movie, he tries to create a transportation mechanism that will help Harry escape unnoticed to the forest.

As the hunter closes in on Harry, the plot thickens, and the movie ultimately becomes a story of acceptance and compassion. It highlights the importance of protecting endangered species and respecting the natural environment. It encourages the audience to see the world from the Sasquatch's point of view, and ultimately, we as viewers come to empathize with Harry's longing to return home.

The film features a strong ensemble cast, with John Lithgow delivering a standout performance. He portrays George with nuance and sensitivity, making him instantly likable and relatable. Melinda Dillon plays his wife, Nancy, who is equally talented in her portrayal of a loving and devoted mother. The kids in the movie, Ernie (Joshua Rudoy) and Sarah (Margaret Langrick), also turn in fine performances.

As a family movie, "Harry and the Hendersons" does an outstanding job of blending humor, drama, and heart. The movie's special effects are impressive, with Harry's facial expressions and movements looking realistic and endearing.

In conclusion, "Harry and the Hendersons" is a movie that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. It's an engaging and heartwarming story that holds up to this day. It's easy to see why the movie became a sleeper hit, and why it eventually spawned a TV show. If you are in search of a movie that has a little bit of everything – humor, drama, and heart – this movie is an excellent choice.

Harry and the Hendersons is a 1987 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 42.

Harry and the Hendersons
Description
Where to Watch Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Harry and the Hendersons for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1987
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 50 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (37,982)
  • Metascore
    42
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