Flubber
Performance & Direction: Flubber Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Flubber (1997) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Flubber features a noteworthy lineup led by Robin Williams . Supported by the likes of Marcia Gay Harden and Christopher McDonald , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Flubber
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1997, Flubber is a Comedy, Family, Science Fiction film directed by Les Mayfield. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Robin Williams.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Professor Phillip Brainard, an absent minded professor, works with his assistant Weebo, trying to create a substance that's a new source of energy and that will save Medfield College where his sweetheart Sara is the president. He has missed his wedding twice, and on the afternoon of his third wedding, Professor Brainard creates flubber, which allows objects to fly through the air. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Flubber
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Les Mayfield, Flubber attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Robin Williams, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Flubber reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Flubber?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Flubber
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $80.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $178.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Flubber Budget
The estimated production budget for Flubber is $80.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Flubber
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Where to Watch Flubber Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
VI movies and tv🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeFlubber Parents Guide & Age Rating
1997 AdvisoryWondering about Flubber age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Flubber is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, Flubber is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1997 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flubber worth watching?
Flubber is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Flubber parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Flubber identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Flubber?
The total duration of Flubber is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for Flubber
It's kind of fitting as I decided to decline Disney's kind invitation to pay 33% more for my Disney+ that this is the last of their films that I watched. It sums up the mediocrity of this once innovative source of vibrant and creative animation - and presents us with a derivative version of a film that Jerry Lewis might have made in the 1960s if he'd owned "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" - and no, "Flubber" isn't even a dolphin! It all relies on the rather annoying performance of Robin Williams in the role of the madcap scientist "Prof. Brainard" who is determined to save his college from closure by coming up with a miracle invention. His woes don't just stop there, though. His fiancée "Sara" (Marcia Gay Harden) might just be seeing another man! Anyway, what he does manage to create is the eponymous, extremely independently elastic, green gunge that can be everything from load bearing to ultra-stretchy. Needless to say, this attracts the attention of rivals and so he must now focus on a two pronged offensive to protect his sludge and keep his gal. There's only so much the talented Williams can do here before the whole thing just sinks into it's own green goo. The script is borderline puerile and even a flying car can't really rescue this from a rather disappointing predictability. At least it's short and sweet, but really hasn't an original bone in it's flexi-body!
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
