The Cable Guy

  • 1996
  • PG-13
  • 96m
movieMx RATING
6.0
2.7K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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The Cable Guy Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: May 9, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: May 9, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Cable Guy

MovieThe Cable Guy
Release Year1996
DirectorBen Stiller
GenreComedy / Drama / Thriller
Runtime96 minutes (1h 36m)
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Cable Guy (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. 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 & Character Study

The performances in The Cable Guy are led by Jim Carrey . The supporting cast, including Matthew Broderick and Leslie Mann , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Cable Guy (1996) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 6.0/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While The Cable Guy does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Cable Guy has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Cable Guy

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1996, The Cable Guy is a Comedy, Drama, Thriller film directed by Ben Stiller, written by Lou Holtz Jr.. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jim Carrey as Cable Guy.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When recently single Steven moves into his new apartment, cable guy Chip comes to hook him up—and doesn't let go. Initially, Chip is just overzealous in his desire to be Steven's pal, but when Steven tries to end the 'friendship', Chip shows his dark side. He begins stalking Steven, who's left to fend for himself because no one else can believe Chip's capable of such behaviour. 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 Cable Guy's opening establishes the comedic tone through Jim Carrey as Cable Guy's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Ben Stiller layers throughout.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jim Carrey's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Jim Carrey's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.

Ending Explained: The Cable Guy

The Cable Guy Ending Explained: Directed by Ben Stiller, The Cable Guy wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.

The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Jim Carrey. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of The Cable Guy reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch The Cable Guy?

Age Advisory: Rated PG-13.

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Jim Carrey or the director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Cable Guy

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $47.0M
Worldwide Gross $102.8M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Cable Guy Budget

The estimated production budget for The Cable Guy is $47.0M. 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.

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Where to Watch The Cable Guy Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

NetflixNetflix

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store

The Cable Guy Parents Guide & Age Rating

1996 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Cable Guy age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Cable Guy is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Cable Guy (1996) is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Directed by Ben Stiller, the film runs for 96 minutes in its complete theatrical version.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Cable Guy is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1996 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Cable Guy. Rating: 6.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Cable Guy worth watching?

The Cable Guy is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Cable Guy parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Cable Guy identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the runtime of The Cable Guy (1996)?

The runtime of The Cable Guy (1996) is 96 minutes (approximately 1h 36m).

🛡️

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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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.0
The Cable Guy
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