Kingpin
A disgraced bowling champion recruits an Amish prodigy for a bawdy road trip toward redemption and a showdown with his old nemesis.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- irreverent
- bawdy
- casual movie night
- sports movie marathon
What critics said
Critics were divided overall, but several prominent reviewers praised the film's unpredictable jokes, comic performances, and cult appeal despite its crude humor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roy Munson's damaged, opportunistic personality is repeatedly contrasted with Ishmael Boorg's sheltered Amish upbringing.
Roy moves from professional bowling glory and personal ruin toward training Ishmael and confronting Ernie McCracken.
Professional tournaments, traveling bowling teams, celebrity competitors, and championship pressure shape the story's central world.
The film combines bowling competition with bathroom humor, sexual situations, strippers, and deliberately distasteful comic reversals.
Films like Kingpin, and why
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Shares a crude, energetic sports comedy format centered on an unlikely partnership and personal redemption.
The Replacements
Combines abrasive humor, outsider characters, competitive sport, and a redemption-driven rivalry.
The Three Amigos
Features a dysfunctional buddy pairing, road travel, vulgar comedy, and a protagonist seeking a second chance.
There's Something About Mary
Shares Farrelly-style bawdy humor, eccentric characters, and an underdog competing against a smug rival.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
- Release Date
- 1996-07-04
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1021)
Cast
- Woody Harrelson
- Randy Quaid
- Vanessa Angel
- Bill Murray
- Chris Elliott
- William Jordan
- Nancy Frey-Jarecki
- Richard Tyson
- Lin Shaye
- Zen Gesner
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- 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 Kingpin about?
- A disgraced bowling champion recruits an Amish prodigy for a bawdy road trip toward redemption and a showdown with his old nemesis.
- What is Kingpin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kingpin as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Kingpin violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Kingpin as mild.
- What did critics think of Kingpin?
- Critics were divided overall, but several prominent reviewers praised the film's unpredictable jokes, comic performances, and cult appeal despite its crude humor.
- Which films are like Kingpin?
- Films with a similar feel include DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, The Replacements, The Three Amigos, and There's Something About Mary.
- How long is Kingpin?
- Kingpin runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kingpin?
- In United States, Kingpin is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
