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Rick Moranis, Tom Arnold, Julianne Phillips, Carol Kane, Jeffrey Tambor ... see more see more... , Curtis Armstrong , Don Knotts , Stuart Pankin , Tony Pierce , Faith Prince , Harry Waters Jr. , Bill Dow , Michael Zwiener , Susan Bain , Blake Bashoff , Tiffany Foster , C.J. Grayson , Grant Hoover , Cody McMains , Matthew Slowik , Ingrid Torrance , Christine Willes , Justin Jon Ross

In this comedy, a writer's triumphant return to his hometown turns out to have a very long string attached. As a child, small and timid David Leary grew up in Hastings, MN, where he lived in mortal fe... read more read more...ar of the school bully, Roscoe Bigger, aka "Fang." Fang loved nothing more than making David's every waking moment a physical and emotional torment. Fortunately for David, his parents moved the family to California not long after David turned the tables on Fang; Fang stole a moon rock from a school display and David finked on him, putting Fang on the fast track to reform school. Years later, David (played as an adult by Rick Moranis) is a successful author, and he has been invited to teach English at the school he attended as a child. David is intrigued to discover that Victoria (Julianne Phillips), the girl he used to have a crush on, is also on the faculty (as the sex-ed instructor, no less) and interested in seeing him. But David's happiness is short-lived when he meets the school's shop teacher -- none other than Roscoe (Tom Arnold). Fang's stay in a juvenile home shattered his spirit, and he's been a spineless loser ever since; these days, David is the only person still afraid of him. Having someone to intimidate again does Roscoe a world of good; it restores his confidence, lifts his spirits, and even saves his marriage. But it doesn't do much for David, who can't exactly complain to the principal that Fang's picking on him again. Don Knotts appears in a supporting role as Principal Kokelar. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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23% liked it

9,524 ratings

Critics

0% liked it

8 critics

PG, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Steve Miner

Release Date: January 26, 1996

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DVD Release Date: May 23, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (246)


  • November 28, 2011
    Though far from a perfect comedy, Big Bully is an enjoyable, fun comedy that in my opinion is underrated. This film though far from perfect, is definitely not as bad as everyone says it was, and is quite enjoyable. Rick Moranis and Tom Arnold have good chemistry here, and though ... read moreit's not perfect, Big Bully is mindless entertainment. Big Bully is not that bad of a film. The critics as usual have dismissed this one, and though not perfect, this film is fun. There are some good comedy bits here and there, and I thought that the film didn't deserve all the negativity it received. The film has its flaws, but for the most part, it's a fun, entertaining film. For what it is, Big Bully is a harmless comedy that like I said, doesn't deserve the flack it received. The film won't win any prizes, but it's nonetheless a good little film. I enjoyed it, and if you're looking for an amusing, mindless comedy then Big Bully is the film for you. The film has its faults, but for the most part it succeeds at being a decent comedy with quite a few laughs. This is yet another comedy that is underrated, and really shouldn't have been dismissed so easily. There are worst films out there and Big Bully is definitely not as bad as everyone says it is. Not perfect, but fun. This film is much better than most comedies that are being released nowadays that rehash the same old ideas over and over again, and they only rely on sex jokes to create its brand of humor. Big Bully is mindless, entertaining fun that anyone can enjoy.
  • July 9, 2011
    This is a good movie, I don't know why it's rated so low on here. The cast is good, they do a great job, I especially love Moranis and Kane. The story is both funny and realistic. What's not to like about it?
  • January 8, 2011
    Rented it from Starz on demand for free and watched it twice and thought it was pretty good
  • June 17, 2007
    Not a good movie. Tom Arnold is really annoying.
  • December 16, 2007
    Funny!
  • March 16, 2006
    More like dumb bully.
  • fb9426219
    December 3, 2011
    fb9426219
    It is one of those kids movies where they just do not try that hard. The idea was decent & the cast should have been good and message was good, BUT both Moranis and Arnold let me down big time. The kids side story & characters were a disaster. It's like a bad sitcom where all of ... read morea sudden characters magically find their middle ground and are total friends with no legitimate situation's of real behaviors to facilitate such a thing. It is not funny, is not heartwarming, and is not true to life in the least.
  • February 9, 2011
    A lot of good ol' fashion fun. Outdated humor and scenarios played out by two of the most forgotten stars of the 90's. Fun non-the-less. Personally, I liked the dark turn the movie took once Moranis was chased into the school's woodshop.
  • December 3, 2009
    This movie could have been a great comedy, in fact, in some ways it already was, but only in subtle ways. The co-starring characters were the ones who actually made this movie funny, their little quirks and skits actually made me laugh out loud more than once. It was the main sto... read morery of the movie that was the flaw out of all of it. I love Rick Moranis, but for some reason, I was reminded so much of Little Giants (Big Bully, get it?) through most of it, which is never a good thing. Reminding an audience of a much better movie is a sure-fire way of getting them to not want to watch your movie.
  • September 16, 2009
    Jeez, the critics were brutal to this film. It's hardly that bad! I found some of it funny, it doesn't always work, but it is watchable and I though the cast did a good job, especially Rick Moranis. He is well cast.

Critic Reviews


Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

A moronic buddy comedy with a fuzzy-wuzzy coating.

Luke Y. Thompson
September 7, 2004
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

Um...NO!!!!

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Rick Moranis deserves better. Tom Arnold ... not so much.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Dennis Harvey
March 26, 2009
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 13, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

January 26, 1996
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 23, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
February 8, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Big Bully Trivia


  • In the 1998 drama Hope Floats, what is the name of the bully at Bernice's school?  Answer »
  • Name the actor who plays Fang in "Big Bully"  Answer »
  • Which movie connects Rick Moranis and Tom Arnold?  Answer »
  • In "Hope Floats," what is the name of the bully at Bernice's school?  Answer »

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