Why Him?

  • 2016
  • R
  • 111m
movieMx RATING
6.4
4.4K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Why Him? Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: May 9, 2026

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

Movie Overview: Why Him?

MovieWhy Him?
Release Year2016
DirectorJohn Hamburg
GenreComedy
Runtime111 minutes (1h 51m)
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Why Him? (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. 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 Why Him? are led by Bryan Cranston . The supporting cast, including James Franco and Zoey Deutch , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of Why Him? (2016) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 6.4/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While Why Him? 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, Why Him? 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: Why Him?

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2016, Why Him? is a Comedy film directed by John Hamburg, written by Ian Helfer. 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 Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A dad forms a bitter rivalry with his daughter's young rich boyfriend. 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: Why Him?'s opening establishes the comedic tone through Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that John Hamburg layers throughout.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Bryan Cranston's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Bryan Cranston's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.

Ending Explained: Why Him?

Why Him? Ending Explained: Directed by John Hamburg, Why Him? wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.

The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Bryan Cranston. 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 Why Him? reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch Why Him??

Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.

Worth Watching If You:

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

Box Office Collection: Why Him?

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $38.0M
Worldwide Gross $118.1M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Why Him? Budget

The estimated production budget for Why Him? is $38.0M. 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 Why Him? Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
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🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

Why Him? Parents Guide & Age Rating

2016 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Why Him? age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Why Him? is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Why Him? (2016) is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Directed by John Hamburg, the film runs for 111 minutes in its complete theatrical version.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Why Him? is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2016 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Why Him?. Rating: 6.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Why Him? worth watching?

Why Him? is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Why Him? parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Why Him? identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the runtime of Why Him? (2016)?

The runtime of Why Him? (2016) is 111 minutes (approximately 1h 51m).

🛡️

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
★ 6.4
Why Him?
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