King Ralph
A raffish American lounge singer unexpectedly inherits the British throne and must learn whether personal decency can survive royal protocol.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- witty
- breezy
- sentimental
- lazy sunday
- light date night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the broad fish-out-of-water premise and predictable jokes weak, though John Goodman's likable performance received some praise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ralph is a sleazy American lounge singer forced to navigate British royal etiquette and aristocratic expectations.
An unexpected genealogical discovery makes Ralph heir to the British throne after the royal family is destroyed.
The central comic premise places a lounge singer inside the British monarchy, with Willingham attempting to guide him.
Ralph's royal transition is accompanied by love-at-first-sight and a relationship involving Miranda.
Films like King Ralph, and why
Crocodile Dundee
fish out of water comedy, ordinary protagonist elevated into an elite social role, and broad class satire
The Princess Diaries
romantic comedy built around an outsider navigating aristocratic or royal expectations with broad humor
Arthur
warm-hearted class comedy featuring an unconventional outsider whose personal qualities challenge social conventions
The American President
romantic comedy combining mistaken identity, social status, and an outsider entering a privileged world
Movie Details
- Director
- David S. Ward
- Release Date
- 1991-02-15
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (330)
Cast
- John Goodman
- Peter O'Toole
- John Hurt
- Camille Coduri
- Richard Griffiths
- Julian Glover
- Leslie Phillips
- Judy Parfitt
- Joely Richardson
- James Villiers
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 King Ralph about?
- A raffish American lounge singer unexpectedly inherits the British throne and must learn whether personal decency can survive royal protocol.
- What is King Ralph like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Ralph as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is King Ralph violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in King Ralph.
- What did critics think of King Ralph?
- Critics broadly found the broad fish-out-of-water premise and predictable jokes weak, though John Goodman's likable performance received some praise.
- Which films are like King Ralph?
- Films with a similar feel include Crocodile Dundee, The Princess Diaries, Arthur, and The American President.
- How long is King Ralph?
- King Ralph runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Ralph?
- In United States, King Ralph is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
