Skip to content
MovieCove
Jack the Bear

Jack the Bear

Laugh. Cry. Hold on tight.

199399 minPG-13Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
Director
Marshall Herskovitz
Starring
Danny DeVito, Gary Sinise, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Reese Witherspoon

Story of the relationships between two sons and their father, who moves the family to California and becomes a tv horror show host after the death of his wife.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Jack the Bear?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Jack the Bear on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Jack the Bear?

Jack the Bear earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Jack the Bear worth watching?

Jack the Bear's Midcredits score is the 59th percentile of all films, from 6.7K ratings across 4 sources. 54% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

59th percentile

Better received than 59% of films

68th percentile among Comedy62nd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)59th
Approval (how many liked it)58th

64 /100

59th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Comedy63rd percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

54% liked it

58th percentile of all films

65th percentile among Comedy60th percentile among 1990s
54% rated it 7–1046% rated it 1–6

Critics 28% · Audience 59%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 3 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

69th percentile

6.7K ratings across platforms

64th percentile among Comedy62nd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$2.2M
Domestic gross$5.1M
Worldwide gross$5.1M

64th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Danny DeVito's layered dramatic-comic performance as a flawed but caring father
  • Raw emotional honesty in depicting grief, guilt, and family bonds
  • The authentic 1970s atmosphere and nostalgic small-town feel

Detractors panned

  • The abrupt tonal shift from family drama to melodramatic thriller with the Nazi neighbor subplot
  • The antagonist's cartoonish, unexplained villainy that derails the grounded story
  • Awkward genre-mixing leaves the film feeling disjointed and unsure of itself

What stands out

Acting80

DeVito's career-best dramatic turn, Sinise's menacing quiet, strong child performances

Emotional impactDivisive75

Grief and guilt powerfully handled; over-melodramatic turns mute impact some

Atmosphere75

Nostalgic 1972 Oakland with warm tone and period soundtrack

CharactersDivisive60

John's realistic flawed parent, underwritten Norman the Nazi neighbor

TensionDivisive55

Sinise's early scenes are compelling; later parts feel exaggerated

PacingDivisive40

Leisurely first half collapses into rushed, uneven second half

Plot and storyDivisive35

Kidnapping and Neo-Nazi elements feel contrived and derail the core drama

Originality30

Melodramatic plot turns feel clichéd and predictable despite fresh premise

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Jack the Bear like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and uplifting: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be moved and come out lifted.

It has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want an easy night.

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

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Moving and uplifting.

Moods
WarmTenseBittersweet
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its dramatic and comedic material with sincerity, never winking at the audience; it balances tender family moments with real menace from the antagonist.
The rideThe first half is warm and nostalgic, then the kidnapping introduces sustained tension and darker emotions through the middle and climax.
StructureA straightforward linear narrative told primarily from Jack's point of view, following the family through a pivotal summer.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayYou leave with a sense that the family will endure and find joy again, though the emotional journey was painful and the losses are not forgotten.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet 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).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · 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%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · 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%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeThe story centers on Jack Leary confronting a dangerous neo-Nazi neighbor who kidnaps his younger brother, while also navigating his own grief and coming of age.

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 filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · 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% (this title) · 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

Family bondsGrief · 6% of filmsComing of age · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the Leary family's struggle to hold together after the mother's death, with eldest son Jack shouldering adult responsibilities while his father copes with alcoholism and grief.
StanceThe film affirms the strength of family love and resilience in the face of loss and external threat, ultimately celebrating the bonds that hold the Learys together.

The world

Late 20th centurySuburbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · James Horner
SettingOakland, California, early 1970s; the Leary family home and their suburban neighborhood
MusicHorner's score enhances the nostalgic 1970s setting and the emotional beats of the story without overwhelming them.

Content guide

Is Jack the Bear okay for kids?

PG-13

Jack the Bear is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for elements of theme, and for some terror” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (42/100), sexual content at minimal (0/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at moderate (44/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • Germany12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (17 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 Jack the Bear have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Jack the Bear?

Cast

Danny DeVito
as John Leary
Gary Sinise
as Norman Strick
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
as Peggy Etinger
Reese Witherspoon
as Karen Morris
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
as Jack Leary
Miko Hughes
as Dylan Leary
Art LaFleur
as Mr. Festinger
Stefan Gierasch
as Father-in-Law
Erica Yohn
as Mother-in-Law
Andrea Marcovicci
as Elizabeth Leary

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Jack the Bear?

Movies like Jack the Bear include Everybody's Fine (2009), All About Me (2018) and Crooklyn (1994). Of the 4 closest matches, half are stories about siblings, and half are films about grief.

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

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Jack the Bear?

3.5K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: sibling bond. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.