Meatballs
Performance & Direction: Meatballs Review
Last updated: February 14, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Meatballs (1979) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. 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 Meatballs features a noteworthy lineup led by Bill Murray . Supported by the likes of Harvey Atkin and Russ Banham , 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: Meatballs
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1979, Meatballs is a Comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman. 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 Bill Murray.
Ending Explained: Meatballs
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Ivan Reitman, Meatballs attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Bill Murray, 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 Meatballs reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Meatballs?
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: Meatballs
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Meatballs Budget
The estimated production budget for Meatballs is $1.2M. 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: Meatballs
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Where to Watch Meatballs Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeMeatballs Parents Guide & Age Rating
1979 AdvisoryWondering about Meatballs age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Meatballs is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, Meatballs is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1979 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meatballs worth watching?
Meatballs is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Meatballs parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Meatballs identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Meatballs?
The total duration of Meatballs is 92 minutes, which is approximately 1h 32m long.
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Critic Reviews for Meatballs
Amusing and harmless misadventures at summer camp with Bill Murray Bill Murray (who was 28 during shooting) stars as an eccentrically droll camp counselor at Camp North Star who “trains” CITs, counselors-in-training, as they oversee the hordes of kids and face challenges with teams from preppy Camp Mohawk. “Meatballs” (1979) is a fun and innocuous summer camp flick. It’s not great but it’s entertaining enough, although if I’m going to view a summer camp film I prefer the Friday the 13th movies (practically any of them), mainly because they feature superior women. Here, Cindy Girling as curvy blonde Wendy is by far the most alluring, although Sarah Torgov as Candace is decent. In light of the license plates, the camp is presumably located in upstate New York, but was shot in Camp White Pine, Haliburton, Ontario, which is only about 125 miles from the New York border. The movie runs 1 hour, 34 minutes. GRADE: B/B-
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.
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