Big Trouble (1986): cast, story & where to watch

1986 · Film · ★ 5.5

Big Trouble poster

Released in 1986, Big Trouble is an action, comedy and crime film directed by John Cassavetes, running about 93 minutes. “In the next 48 hours, the people below will find themselves in a big scheme, to get big money, that will land them in Big Trouble.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Leonard Hoffman is an insurance salesman struggling to make ends meet. The fact that he has triplet sons who all want to go to Yale isn't making things any easier. Blanche Rickey is also worried about money; her husband is a millionaire with a weak heart, and she worries that he'll blow through all his cash before he finally dies. When Blanche meets Leonard, she devises a murderous plan that she claims will fix both their problems.

Who’s in it. Big Trouble stars Alan Arkin as Leonard Hoffman, Beverly D'Angelo as Blanche Rickey, Peter Falk as Steve Rickey and Charles Durning as O'Mara, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Big Trouble has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Big Trouble page.

If you liked it. Fans of Big Trouble tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Big Trouble (1986)?
In US, Big Trouble is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Big Trouble worth watching?
Big Trouble holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, comedy and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Big Trouble?
Big Trouble stars Alan Arkin, Beverly D'Angelo, Peter Falk, Charles Durning and Robert Stack.
When was Big Trouble released?
Big Trouble was released in 1986, with a runtime of about 93 minutes.