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*batteries not included

  • 1987
  • PG
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
Apartment block tenants seek the aid of alien mechanical life-forms to save their building from demolition.
Play trailer1:18
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyFamilyFantasySci-Fi

Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.

  • Director
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Writers
    • Mick Garris
    • Brad Bird
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Stars
    • Hume Cronyn
    • Jessica Tandy
    • Frank McRae
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Mick Garris
      • Brad Bird
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Stars
      • Hume Cronyn
      • Jessica Tandy
      • Frank McRae
    • 102User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:18
    Official Trailer

    Photos123

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    Hume Cronyn
    Hume Cronyn
    • Frank Riley
    Jessica Tandy
    Jessica Tandy
    • Faye Riley
    Frank McRae
    Frank McRae
    • Harry Noble
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Marisa Esteval
    Michael Carmine
    Michael Carmine
    • Carlos
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Mason Baylor
    Tom Aldredge
    Tom Aldredge
    • Sid Hogenson
    Jane Hoffman
    • Muriel Hogenson
    John DiSanti
    John DiSanti
    • Gus
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Kovacs
    MacIntyre Dixon
    MacIntyre Dixon
    • DeWitt
    Michael Greene
    Michael Greene
    • Lacey
    Doris Belack
    Doris Belack
    • Mrs. Thompson
    Wendy Schaal
    Wendy Schaal
    • Pamela
    José Angel Santana
    • Goon #1
    • (as José Santana)
    James Le Gros
    James Le Gros
    • Goon #2
    • (as James LeGros)
    Ronald L. Schwary
    Ronald L. Schwary
    • Louie
    • (as Ronald Schwary)
    Susan Shoffner
    • Receptionist
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Mick Garris
      • Brad Bird
      • Matthew Robbins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally intended to be a story featured in the TV series Amazing Stories (1985). Steven Spielberg liked the idea so much he decided to make it a theatrical release.
    • Goofs
      After Mason fights with his girlfriend, he throws his paintings out his window, which Marisa notices when she sees the paintings falling from his apartment about two floors above. When Mason and Marisa discover their items(Mason's door; Marisa's statue)fixed, Marisa comes out of her room, which is on the same floor as Mason's, which makes it impossible for Marisa to be about two floors down from Mason. One explanation is simple; Mason has a two story apartment. The next morning when Mason wakes up and sees the garbage truck leaving and his paintings gone, he runs down a flight of stairs and then out of his door. However, when Marisa comes out of her apartment, her door is on the opposite side of the building. So how Marisa saw them fall is still up in the air.
    • Quotes

      Frank Riley: The quickest way to end a miracle is to ask it why it is... or what it wants.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, pictures of young Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are shown. This includes their actual wedding photo, since the actors (who often play a married couple on stage or in the movies) were married for decades.
    • Alternate versions
      When aired on national syndication as a "Universal Network" presentation in 1991, the following brief scenes were omitted for time:
      • When Frank attempts to give Faye her medicine.
      • Before Frank asks for somebody to help them, he breaks a vase and kicks a chair.
      • Carlos and his gang planning.
      • Frank and Faye are reading the newspaper and while one of the spaceships pours them coffee, Faye asks what ever happened to General Eisenhower.
      • Harry searches his room for his whistle.
      • While Marissa, Hector and his friends hold a fiesta in the apartment, Mason sits outside and drinks.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Moonstruck/Overboard/September/*Batteries Not Included/Ironweed (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee
      (uncredited)
      Written by Irving Berlin
      Performed by Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn

    User reviews102

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    F.A.B!

    A true classic. This was the first film I ever saw, and it has stayed my favorite for almost 17 years! Obviously, some may hate it, and some may love it, but its one of those films you have to judge for yourself. OK, so, perhaps the storyline is a bit thin, predictable and slightly unbelievable, but, what film isn't? There are more good points than bad (I'm not giving the good ones away, you'll have to see them for yourselves!) It could do with a bit of updating, maybe a newer version could cover up plot holes and dodgy script, but then it would lose all its charm. And Batteries Not Included definitely has charm, bucket-loads!

    In my opinion it should be up there with Star Wars and E.T as a cult classic. It'll make you laugh, cry and hate the bad guy.

    I definitely recommend it! Go watch it!
    • steviecrowther
    • Oct 2, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ22

    • How long is *batteries not included?Powered by Alexa
    • Where did the dog come from? It seems to suddenly appear with the group while they're out searching the streets. Are we to assume it was attracted by Harry's dog whistle and decided to stay with him?
    • What is Batteries Not Included about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Milagro en la calle 8
    • Filming locations
      • East Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,945,797
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,326,530
      • Dec 20, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $65,088,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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