🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Tim Hill
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (26K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid tries to prank his grandpa out of his bedroom, but the grandpa’s got Christopher Walken and Cheech Marin on his side, so things get…explosive? Literally, maybe.
🍿 The War with Grandpa: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Grandpa Moves In
Peter is initially excited when his recently widowed Grandpa Ed comes to live with his family. However, his excitement quickly turns to dismay when Ed moves into Peter’s bedroom, forcing him to relocate to the attic. Peter loves his room and is not happy about the situation.

Declaration of War
Determined to reclaim his room, Peter declares war on his Grandpa. He and his friends devise a series of pranks and schemes to make Ed uncomfortable and drive him out of the room. The pranks escalate, becoming increasingly elaborate and mischievous.

Grandpa Strikes Back
Grandpa Ed, a veteran himself, is not one to back down from a challenge. He retaliates with his own set of pranks, leading to a back-and-forth battle of wits and practical jokes. The war intensifies, causing chaos and comedic mayhem in the family home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ed (Robert De Niro): A recently widowed grandfather who moves in with his family and unintentionally sparks a war with his grandson over his bedroom.
- Peter (Oakes Fegley): A young boy who declares war on his grandfather when he is forced to give up his bedroom.
- Sally (Uma Thurman): Peter’s mother and Ed’s daughter, who tries to keep the peace between her son and father.
- Arthur (Rob Riggle): Sally’s husband and Peter’s father, who often finds himself caught in the crossfire of the war.
- Jerry (Christopher Walken): One of Ed’s old friends who provides support and encouragement during the escalating war.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ed: “You want a war? You got one!” – Grandpa Ed says this after Peter escalates their pranks, signaling a full-blown war.
- Peter: “I want my room back!” – Peter’s primary motivation, repeated throughout the movie as the conflict intensifies.
- Arthur: “I’m just trying to keep the peace.” – Arthur’s often futile attempt to mediate between Peter and Ed’s escalating pranks.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $21,277,892
- Worldwide Gross: $43,387,638
💥 The War with Grandpa Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went in expecting a light, goofy comedy and that’s exactly what I got. The dodgeball scene with the senior citizens was ridiculous but hilarious. I laughed way more than I thought I would! Sure, it’s not high art, but if you need a movie to watch with the family and switch off your brain for an hour and a half, this fits the bill perfectly. The bit at Christmas got me a little, especially after the pranks
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families looking for a lighthearted comedy.”
- “Fans of Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, and Christopher Walken.”
- “Viewers who enjoy slapstick humor and prank-based comedies.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild rude humor.”
- “Some mild language.”
- “Pranks that could be imitated by children.”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While ‘War with Grandpa’ boasts a talented cast, the film relies heavily on predictable slapstick. De Niro’s performance is surprisingly subdued, and the jokes often fall flat. The film ultimately fails to deliver the laugh-out-loud moments it promises.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The movie tries to be heartwarming and funny, but the humor often feels forced and the story is quite predictable. While the cast has great chemistry, the script doesn’t give them enough to work with, resulting in a forgettable family comedy.
Audience Reactions
The legendary cast made the viewing experience worth it.: Many viewers appreciated the lighthearted humor and found it suitable for a family movie night.
Christopher Walken and Cheech Marin’s comedic timing was praised.: While some found the plot predictable, the overall consensus was that the movie provided a fun, easy-to-watch experience.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted family comedy with a talented cast, but relies on predictable humor and may not appeal to all audiences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in 2017 but wasn’t released until 2020 due to distribution issues.”
- “Several of the cast members, including Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken, are known for their dramatic roles, making their comedic performances a surprise for some viewers.”
- “The movie is based on the children’s book of the same name by Robert Kimmel Smith.”
🖥️ How to Watch The War with Grandpa?
The War with Grandpa is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The War with Grandpa, you might like these similar films:
- Home Alone (1990): Features a child defending his home against intruders with comical booby traps and slapstick humor, sharing a similar comedic tone and family-friendly theme.
- Dirty Grandpa (2016): Another comedy featuring Robert De Niro as a mischievous grandfather, though with a much more adult-oriented and raunchy sense of humor.
- Cheaper by the Dozen (2003): A family comedy about the chaos and challenges of raising a large family, offering similar themes of family dynamics and lighthearted humor.
🛒 The War with Grandpa Related Products
- The War with Grandpa (Movie Novel): The complete novel adaptation of the hilarious movie. Expand the story with more details of the characters and plot
- Nerf Rival Curve Shot Flex XXI-100 Blaster: The Nerf Rival Curve Shot Flex XXI-100 blaster lets you fire rounds around corners, curves, and straight! Hand-powered Flex barrel system lets you adjust the trajectory to fire around objects
- Robert De Niro: A Life in Pictures: A photographic journey through Robert De Niro’s illustrious career. Explore iconic roles and behind-the-scenes moments.
- Pranklopedia: The Funniest, Grossest, Craziest, Not-Mean Pranks on the Planet!: A collection of kid-friendly pranks and gags. Offers hours of harmless entertainment.
🎧 Soundtrack
The War with Grandpa features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The War with Grandpa is generally considered a family-friendly comedy, rated PG for some rude humor and mild language. However, parents should be aware of the prank-based humor, which some children might try to imitate. Consider your child’s maturity level before watching.
The War with Grandpa was primarily filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Various locations in and around Atlanta were used to create the setting for the movie.
The main message of the movie is about the importance of family relationships and understanding. It highlights the value of empathy, communication, and finding common ground, even amidst disagreements and conflicts. It promotes the idea that love and connection are more important than material possessions.
🔥 Bonus Content
When Pranking Goes Too Far…
Ever wondered if those pranks in ‘War With Grandpa’ are *really* that extreme? This reaction video breaks down one of the most outrageous scenes, and honestly, I think they might have gone a *little* overboard! Check it out and see if you agree!
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