The King of Comedy
It's no laughing matter.
1982 • 109 min • Drama · Comedy
Synopsis
Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy.
Our family guide
Best from age 15- 100 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
- 78 Audience · 2617 · 40%
An aspiring stand-up comedian obsessed with fame stalks his idol, a late-night talk show host, hoping for his big break. His delusions escalate as he tries to force his way into show business, leading to a strange and unsettling encounter.
- Violence & peril
- 2/10
- Language
- 3/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 1/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 4/10
Heads up
- Depiction of obsessive stalking and delusional behavior
- Brief moments of tension and psychological discomfort
What it models well
- The dangers of obsession
- The pursuit of dreams
Talk about it after
- The difference between ambition and obsession
- The nature of fame and celebrity culture
- When to ask for help with mental health challenges
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The King of Comedy. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
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Top billed cast
Director: Martin Scorsese • Crew: Paul D. Zimmerman
Trailers & clips
Reviewer notes
RecommendedA bit long-winded, but undoubtedly a very good movie. <em>'The King of Comedy'</em> has a sturdy Robert De Niro lead performance, as well as solid support from Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. I enjoyed seeing the split from what actually happens and how De Niro's Rupert Pupkin views things via his dreams; especially with how merged they become by the end.…
RecommendedRobert De Niro is great in this enjoyable comedy about the aspiring comedian "Pupkin" who is prepared to go to great lengths to get his moment in the sun. To that end he doorsteps acclaimed chat-show host "Jerry" (the entirely convincing Jerry Lewis) and, not exactly lacking in self-confidence, convinces him to listen to his material.…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersMartin Scorsese's THE KING OF COMEDY was the lowest-grossing major studio film of 1982. It isn't difficult to see why: It's loaded with uncomfortable situations; there is no obvious protagonist; no sympathetic characters (the one that could potentially get our sympathy turns out to be a thief); and everyone is grating and/or unpleasant (even Tony Randall plays 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 as a demanding prick).…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewers**De Niro as yet another deluded psycho** De Niro is Rupert Pitkin, a comedian who seeks to be as famous as his hero, Jerry Lewis. Pupkin could be Travis Bickle's equally disturbed brother - both of them living in New York and both of them losing their minds in unison. After much rejection, the crazed Pupkin decides to kidnap his hero and hold him for ransom until a studio gives him a big break.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.8/10 (2,617)
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $19,000,000
- Box office
- $2,536,000
- IMDb
- tt0085794
- Official site
- www.newregency.com
