The ProducersMovie Reviews

Must Go!
Avg. Critic Score: 97 out of 100 Universal acclaim Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 OK for kids 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Boston Globe | Ty Burr

    The one aspect of the original Producers that still stuns is the roaring, over-the-top, in-your-face thereness of its two lead performances. Read full review

  • 100
    New Times (L.A.) | Andy Klein

    Maniacally funny. It remains neck and neck with "Young Frankenstein" as Brooks' best film. Read full review

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    This is one of the funniest movies ever made. To see it now is to understand that. To see it for the first time in 1968, when I did, was to witness audacity so liberating that not even "There's Something About Mary" rivals it. Read full review

  • 90
    Village Voice | Michael Atkinson

    However familiar, it delivers like a shorted slot machine. Read full review

  • 80
    TV Guide |

    Mel Brooks's first and funniest, a spoof of Broadway theater that has earned a deservedly devoted cult following. Read full review

View more reviews for The Producers on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Slapstick comedy-musical -- not meant for kids.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this film depicts two con men trying to steal money from elderly women and unsuspecting theatergoers. The Broadway musical featured in the movie comically champions Nazi beliefs and dogma; the song lyrics contain many references to the glory of "the master race" and other aspects of Nazi ideologies. There are several references to sex and the musical features some suggestively clad females on stage. Because the film has been turned into a high-profile Broadway musical and is being remade for the screen with actors Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, children may be familiar with it and want to see it.
  • Families can talk about the ethical problems involved in Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom's business practices. Why did they focus their efforts on cheating older women? How did Bialystock convince Bloom to go into business with him? What would you have done if someone offered you a lot of money to cheat others? The content of the play also offers families many opportunities to discuss racism and anti-semitism. Why might some people be offended by the song lyrics, despite their satirical overtones? Furthermore, the director character offers families an opportunity to discuss homosexuality. How does the film portray the character Roger de Bris? Why is he shown wearing a dress? Why might some people be upset about that?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: The two leads lie, cheat, and steal from old ladies. While they are punished for their actions, this does not change them in any way.
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence: All slapstick.
  • sex false3 Sexy stuff: A main character is characterized as being "a gigolo." Female characters are depicted in suggestive costumes. Highly stereotypical depictions of homosexuality.
  • language false3 Language: Farcical song lyrics deal with racism and anti-semitism.
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking, largely without consequences.
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The Producers Movie Reviews + Ratings

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Critics say

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