Skip to content
MovieCove
Houseguest

Houseguest

He came. He ate. He stayed.

1995113 minPGMidcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films
Director
Randall Miller
Starring
Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Jeffrey Jones, Kim Greist

In hot water with the mob over an unpaid debt, a con man poses as a family friend in an affluent Pennsylvania suburb.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Houseguest?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Houseguest to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Houseguest?

Houseguest earns 4 badges, led by Box Office Hit and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Houseguest worth watching?

Houseguest's Midcredits score is the 43rd percentile of all films, from 13K ratings across 4 sources. 45% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

43rd percentile

Better received than 43% of films

48th percentile among Comedy46th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)41st
Approval (how many liked it)45th

59 /100

41st percentile of all films

46th percentile among Comedy44th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

45% liked it

45th percentile of all films

50th percentile among Comedy48th percentile among 1990s
45% rated it 7–1055% rated it 1–6

Critics 18% · Audience 55%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

80th percentile

13K ratings across platforms

77th percentile among Comedy73rd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$11M
Opening weekend$5.8M
Domestic gross$26M
Worldwide gross$26M

Returned 2.5× its budget — 85th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A formulaic fish-out-of-water comedy where Sinbad plays a lovable con artist who impersonates a long-lost friend and stays with a suburban family.

Fans praised

  • Sinbad and Phil Hartman's comedic chemistry
  • funny, feel-good family entertainment
  • Sinbad's energetic and clean comedy performance

Detractors panned

  • absurd premise with no tension or believable stakes
  • overlong, poorly edited with excessive fast motion
  • obvious product placement for McDonald's

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Sinbad's energetic charm and Hartman's deadpan foil praised; detractors find pairing miscast

HumorDivisive55

Divisive: fans find it consistently funny, detractors groan at forced gags

Dialogue50

Occasionally funny lines outweigh banal script

CharactersDivisive45

Thin caricatures with no depth; fans still enjoy Hartman's straight man

Emotional impactDivisive40

Heartfelt family bonding feels forced but works for some

PacingDivisive35

Fast editing divides: energizing for some, choppy for others

Plot and story30

Recycled identity-swap premise with no tension or logic

Originality20

Derivative premise and predictable beats

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 16 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 13 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Houseguest like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulWarmAbsurd
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its farcical mistaken-identity premise with warm-hearted sincerity, never winking at the audience despite the absurd situation.
The rideThe film is mostly light and playful, with the only real tension (hostage situation) resolved quickly and happily near the end.
StructureA conventional chronological narrative with setup (Kevin's predicament), complications (his imposture and growing bond with the family), and resolution (confrontation and happy ending).

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you smiling with its warm message that friendship and family matter more than wealth or status, wrapped in a light, entertaining farce.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% (this title) · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeMistaken identity drives the plot: Kevin Franklin poses as a long-lost childhood friend and must maintain the lie while helping the family, all while avoiding mobsters pursuing him for a debt.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Friendship · 9% of filmsFamily bondsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how an impostor becomes a true friend and helps repair a fractured family.
StanceThe film warmly affirms that friendship and family can come from the most unexpected places.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanUrbanRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · John Debney
SettingPittsburgh and the affluent suburb of Sewickley
MusicThe score is bouncy and comedic, matching the film's lighthearted tone.

Content guide

Is Houseguest okay for kids?

PG

Houseguest is rated PG: “Rated PG for language, double entendre humor and some comic violence” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (56/100) and frightening material at mild (22/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (23 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Houseguest have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Houseguest?

Cast

Sinbad
as Kevin Franklin
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Phil Hartman
as Gary Young
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jeffrey Jones
as Ron Timmerman
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kim Greist
as Emily Young
Stan Shaw
as Larry
Tony Longo
as Joey Gasperini
Paul Ben-Victor
as Pauly Gasperini
Mason Adams
as Mr. Pike
Chauncey Leopardi
as Jason Young
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kim Murphy
as Brooke Young
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Houseguest?

Movies like Houseguest include Christmas with the Kranks (2004), A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011) and Class Act (1992). Of the 12 closest matches, most are Christmas films, and most are buddy comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its subject: friendship. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Houseguest?

759 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: screwball comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.