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Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen, Dabney Coleman, G.D. Spradlin ... see more see more... , Anne Jeffreys , Richard Kind , Jennifer Savidge , Ben Savage , Akuyoe , Greg Blanchard , Channing Chase , Natalie Core , Barry Dennen , Richard Fancy , Don Galloway , James 'Gypsy' Haake , Sherlynn Hicks , Linda Hoffman , Sonia Jackson , Anthony Johnson , Brandis Kemp , Tim Lane , Gregory "Mars" Martin , Marianne Muellerleile , Jennifer Nash , Al Pugliese , Annabel Schofield , Tim Stack , Susan Varon , Kathy Fitzgerald , David Byrd , Kevin Mockrin , Christopher Murray

Versatile Canadian comedian Martin Short plays a 10-year old boy in this comedy aimed at younger audiences. The tale is told in flashback to another little boy. Clifford is a manipulative brat. Cliffo... read more read more...rd really wants to visit Dinosaur World in Los Angeles. Clifford wants to go so badly that he manages to force the Hawaii bound plane he and his parents are on to land in L.A. His parents need to attend a convention in Hawaii so they leave him with his Uncle Martin who despises children. Martin's fiance adores kids, so he pretends to be ecstatic about Clifford's visit. He must also pretend that Clifford is the angel child he isn't. Because Martin reneges on a promise to take him to Dinosaur World, Clifford begins an elaborate plot for revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% liked it

8,547 ratings

Critics

9% liked it

22 critics

PG, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Paul Flaherty

Release Date: April 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: March 2, 2004

Stats: 614 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (614)


  • January 28, 2012
    The screenplay is not the best, but Clifford have an odd and involving dark humor. Sometimes not so funny, but that call the attention. Fresh.
  • March 1, 2009
    Still just as funny as I remembered it was when I saw it over 10 years ago. Regardless of its silliness Martin Short does an amazing acting like an impossible to like little kid.
  • March 10, 2008
    This was back when Martin Short was kinda funny, and didn't make me want to rip his larynx out. It was pretty good if I can recall, like how he makes their plane crash land so they can go to Dinosaur land.
  • July 9, 2007
    A hilarious black comedy where Martin Short plays "Clifford", one of the naughtiest boys in the world. It's hilarious, seeing him acting like a freaky child; I love the demented look he gets on his face when he's scheming his next prank. He does many bad things throughout the mov... read moreie, but nothing compares to his grand plan to have his Uncle Martin (Charles Grodin) take him to Dinosaur World amusement park, which was promised but never delivered. The little weirdo gets what he deserves in the end. It's great fun.
  • January 24, 2007
    decently funny and entertaining
  • February 12, 2007
    I absolutely loved Hitler, I mean Clifford.
  • April 28, 2011
    Undoubtedly, my vague memory of this movie is better than what i would think now, but i would be full of it if i said that this wasn't fun to watch as a 6 year deviant
  • November 29, 2010
    I've always found this one funny, as it's bizarre, and, honestly,so random! The absurdity just adds to the hilarity.
  • February 27, 2009
    Finally saw this one! I'm a huge Martin Short fan and this movie does showcase his talents well! It's definitely goofy, but plenty of laughs.
  • July 31, 2008
    Martin Short did his part well, but I did not like how dramatic the uncle made everything and overall I didn't really like the movie. There were parts that made me laugh out loud, but I wouldn't watch it again.

Critic Reviews


Variety Staff
January 8, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Orion serves up another long-on-the-shelf turkey with this gimmicky, poorly conceived comedy. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 8, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Now let's have a show of hands: how many want to see Martin Short play a ten-year-old brat who makes everybody miserable and winds up staying with his uncle (Charles Grodin) in Los Angeles for a week? Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

When Martin puts Clifford on a harrowing hyperspeed version of the Larry the Scary Rex ride, the special effects are impressive, but not worth waiting for. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Clifford is not bad on the acting, directing or even writing levels. It fails on a deeper level still, the level of the underlying conception. Something about the material itself is profoundly not fun... Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Remember when Martin Short was funny? Full Review

January 8, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A weird movie that could have stood to be weirder still. Full Review

Neil Cohen
July 29, 2007
Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine

A hellish, horrible experience wasting the talents of all involved.

Chuck O'Leary
March 3, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

One can't help but laugh at Short's nutty rendition of an unctous little 10-year-old devil, and Grodin's angry reactions are equally funny as his increasingly exasperated uncle.

Clint Morris
May 6, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One to cross off your CV Marty

David Nusair
June 27, 2004
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

[The film] isn't nearly as bad as it's been made out to be. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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Clifford : Watch Free on TV


Clifford Trivia


  • Name the movie starring Martin Short as a ten year old boy whose tagline is " What's the difference between ******** and a pit bull? One will tear your heart out, scare your friends and wreck your house. The other one is a dog "  Answer »
  • Who does Cecille Caldwell have an affair with in Cruel Intentions?  Answer »
  • What actor made a movie about his home town filled with drama and real life problems?  Answer »
  • What does Clifford Irving do in the film The Hoax ?  Answer »

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