Overboard
Performance & Direction: Overboard Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Overboard (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. 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 Overboard features a noteworthy lineup led by Goldie Hawn . Supported by the likes of Kurt Russell and Edward Herrmann , 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: Overboard
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, Overboard is a Comedy, Romance film directed by Garry Marshall. 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 Goldie Hawn.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Heiress Joanna Stayton hires carpenter Dean Proffitt to build a closet on her yacht—and refuses to pay him for the project when it's done. But after Joanna accidentally falls overboard and loses her memory, Dean sees an opportunity to get even. 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: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Goldie Hawn's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Overboard
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Garry Marshall, Overboard concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Goldie Hawn, 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 Overboard reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Overboard?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Goldie Hawn or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Overboard
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $22.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $26.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Overboard Budget
The estimated production budget for Overboard is $22.0M. 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: Overboard
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Where to Watch Overboard Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreOverboard Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about Overboard age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Overboard is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Overboard is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Overboard worth watching?
Overboard is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Overboard parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Overboard identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Overboard?
The total duration of Overboard is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.
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Critic Reviews for Overboard
This movie wouldn’t make any of my top 20 lists (if I took the time to create some) but I think it is a charming film, and that is quite an accomplishment. Because if it weren’t for the talented ensemble main actors, Garry Marshall directing, and a witty script (the writer has Pay it Forward and others on her resume), this movie could easily have been a stinker. As it is, it has a lot of laughs, cute child actors, some character development, and a fun time for all. It is priceless to watch the Goldie Hawk character go from snooty, haughty rich bitch, to a sensitive self-deprecating amnesiac mom who is not cut out for motherhood and in over her head. What she learns about herself doesn’t come from her memory, but from what the Kurt Russell character relates to her, so she hears how she had sex with him their first date and she says, “I’m a slut.” Sexist, of course, but at least she is saying it about herself, and she does come through for her ‘family’ in the end. It is a harmless good time. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it, but I wouldn’t change channels if it came on either. As an aside, I haven’t seen the remake, so I can’t make comparisons. Probably should judge both on their own merits anyway, right?
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.
