Good Burger (1997)
62%RT Audience Score: 63%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Good Burger might please hardcore fans of the 1990s Nickelodeon TV series that launched leads Kenan and Kel to stardom, but for all others, it will likely prove a comedy that is neither satisfyingly rare nor well done
Good Burger is a movie that will make you question your taste buds and your sanity. It’s a silly, messy, and downright ridiculous movie that will leave you wondering why you even bothered watching it. But, if you’re a fan of Kenan and Kel, you’ll probably enjoy it. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they manage to generate some laughs despite the terrible script. Overall, it’s a movie that’s best enjoyed with a side of fries and a large soda to wash down the bad taste it leaves in your mouth.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
West Covina, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for language, some comic violence and mild sex-related humor
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
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Runtime:1h 35m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 1997 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2013
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson, Sinbad, Abe Vigoda, Shar Jackson, Dan Schneider, directed by Brian Robbins, written by Dan Schneider, Kevin Kopelow, Heath Seifert, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Jami Bernard, Gene Seymour, Carol Buckland, John Petrakis, Desmond Ryan, Bob McCabe, Mal Vincent, Jason Shawhan, Justin Brown, Brandon Collins, Jo Berry, PG, Paramount Pictures, Dolby, Surround, Flat (1.85:1), 35mm, Teen misfits, burger joint, competition, hamburger emporium, family film, childhood, Nickelodeon TV series, comedy skit, suburban adventure, friendship, responsibility, cameo, Shaquille O’Neal, Mr Wheat, Otis, Monique, Mr Baily, critic reviews, audience score, streaming, rent/buy
Worldwide gross: $23,712,993
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $44,202,936
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,394
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,820,386
US/Canada gross: $23,712,993
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $44,202,936
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,130
US/Canada opening weekend: $7,058,333
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $13,157,303
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 851
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $9,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $16,776,728
Production budget ranking: 1,461
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,034,268
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,391,941
ROI to date (est.): 71%
ROI ranking: 1,057
Kenan Thompson – Dexter Reed
Sinbad – Mr. Wheat
Abe Vigoda – Otis
Shar Jackson – Monique
Dan Schneider – Mr. Baily
Brian Robbins – Director, Producer
Kevin Kopelow – Producer, Writer
Heath Seifert – Producer, Writer
Michael Tollin – Producer
Dan Schneider – Writer
Director(s)
Brian Robbins
Writer(s)
Dan Schneider, Kevin Kopelow, Heath Seifert
Producer(s)
Brian Robbins, Kevin Kopelow, Heath Seifert, Michael Tollin
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (28)
If you like your burger well-done, you’re in for a disappointment.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 1/4
Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
[Good Burger] will satisfy their audience’s appetite for basic, messy silliness while leaving many grown-ups mildly bemused by the fuzzy obviousness of its humor, the gawky pacing of its sight gags and the second-handedness of its slapstick.
September 8, 2015
Gene Seymour
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Good Burger isn’t USDA Choice by any means, but it’s an enjoyable family flick with a nice message about friendship and responsibility.
September 8, 2015
Carol Buckland
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
There are some cute visuals now and then, but overall Good Burger may raise your blood pressure and, if you suffer through the entire 94 minutes, perhaps even lower your IQ.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 1/4
John Petrakis
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
The wiry Mitchell and the chubby Thompson may physically suggest such great teams as Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello, but — at this stage of their development — the resemblance ends there.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/4
Desmond Ryan
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Whatever it is they do so successfully on TV clearly fails to translate to the big screen, particularly when saddled with a script that does no one any favours.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 1/5
Bob McCabe
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Your tolerance for this may be aligned directly to either your age or your IQ.
March 2, 2022 | Rating: 1.5/4
Mal Vincent
The Virginian-Pilot
I’ve never met Kenan Thompson or Kel Mitchell, but they’re in that part of the brain where all past co-workers live, where memory is a thicket of colors and smells and jokes you’ve heard countless times, and so many special sauces.
September 9, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
This was so bad…I hated it.
March 25, 2021 | Rating: 1/5
Justin Brown
Medium Popcorn
It’s not a perfect movie…it’s not even a great movie but it makes me laugh and I love Kenan and Kel’s chemistry.
March 25, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Brandon Collins
Medium Popcorn
Young fans of TV stars Kenan and Kel are about the only ones who will be remotely amused by this misjudged comedy.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 1/5
Jo Berry
Radio Times
The rest is a pranky, sketchy romp filled with goofy capers by Kenan and Kel. Together, they generate a kind of loopy charm, taking off from Kenan’s woozy naivete and Kel’s rubber-faced physicality.
September 8, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/4
Dennis King
Tulsa World…
Plot
Dexter Reed, a high-schooler is forced to get a summer job at a fast food restaurant called Good Burger after causing a car wreck by his school teacher Mr. Wheat. So Dexter must pay off his teacher’s car by working very hard at Good Burger. Meanwhile things turned worse when Mondo Burger, a mammoth fast-food chain opens across the street, it looks like Good Burger is soon going to be history for good! Now it is up to Dexter and his new friend Ed the not-so bright cashier to save the day, as they develop a delicious special secret sauce that Ed created brings hundreds of new customers to their door and makes their new competition desperate to steal the recipe and all of their customers.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No specific tidbit is given about the cast, but the critics consensus mentions that the film launched leads Kenan and Kel to stardom.
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