Encino Man
Two California teenagers thaw out a prehistoric man and turn his bewildering arrival into an unlikely route toward popularity and friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- silly
- irreverent
- breezy
- nostalgic comedy night
- lazy weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a slow, formulaic, low-effort teen comedy whose silly premise was undermined by broad performances and missed comic potential.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Link is thawed from ice and introduced to twentieth-century Los Angeles, creating repeated culture-clash situations.
Dave and Stoney seek greater popularity, confidence, and romantic success around school and prom.
Dave and Stoney's discovery of Link turns their attempt to become cool into an unusual shared adventure.
Link's prehistoric instincts collide with the cars, schools, shopping, and social rituals of Encino.
Films like Encino Man, and why
The Man from Earth
shares a high-concept fish out of water premise, broad teen comedy, and a prehistoric character navigating modern culture
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
shares adolescent friendship, school-age social anxiety, goofy humor, and a quest for acceptance
Wayne's World
shares a broad buddy comedy format, adolescent social competition, and an irreverent early-1990s tone
Blast from the Past
shares a fish out of water fantasy comedy centered on an outsider disrupting teenage social life
Movie Details
- Director
- Les Mayfield
- Release Date
- 1992-05-22
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (746)
Cast
- Sean Astin
- Brendan Fraser
- Megan Ward
- Mariette Hartley
- Richard Masur
- Pauly Shore
- Robin Tunney
- Michael DeLuise
- Patrick Van Horn
- Dalton James
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Encino Man about?
- Two California teenagers thaw out a prehistoric man and turn his bewildering arrival into an unlikely route toward popularity and friendship.
- What is Encino Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Encino Man as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Encino Man violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Encino Man.
- What did critics think of Encino Man?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a slow, formulaic, low-effort teen comedy whose silly premise was undermined by broad performances and missed comic potential.
- Which films are like Encino Man?
- Films with a similar feel include The Man from Earth, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Wayne's World, and Blast from the Past.
- How long is Encino Man?
- Encino Man runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Encino Man?
- In United States, Encino Man is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
