🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jean-Marie Poiré
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Release year: 2001
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (66K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A medieval knight and his servant accidentally time-travel to 21st-century Chicago and cause chaos while trying to find a wizard to fix their mistake, leading to a series of hilarious culture clashes and questionable hygiene habits.
🍿 Just Visiting: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Wedding Gone Wrong
In 12th-century England, Count Thibault of Malfete is set to marry Princess Rosalind. However, the Earl of Warwick, harboring feelings for Rosalind, plots to sabotage the wedding. He hires a witch to create a potion intended for Rosalind, hoping to make her unfit for marriage to Thibault. During the wedding feast, Thibault mistakenly drinks the poisoned wine meant for Rosalind, leading to disastrous consequences.

Accidental Time Travel
Under the influence of the potion, Thibault hallucinates and tragically kills Rosalind, believing her to be a monster. Desperate to undo his mistake, he seeks the help of a wizard to travel back in time. The wizard provides a potion, but a critical ingredient is missing, resulting in Thibault and his servant, André, being transported to 21st-century Chicago instead of the past. They arrive at a museum exhibiting their castle, causing immediate chaos and confusion.

Fish Out of Water in Modern Chicago
In Chicago, they are apprehended by the police, but Julia Malfete, a museum employee and Thibault’s descendant, intervenes. Julia, who bears a striking resemblance to Rosalind, believes Thibault is her long-lost French cousin suffering from amnesia. She takes them back to her home, introducing them to the bewildering world of modern conveniences and customs. Andre and Thibault try to adapt to a totally different lifestyle.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Thibault (Jean Reno): A 12th-century French count who accidentally time travels to 21st-century Chicago and seeks to return to his own time to prevent a tragic mistake.
- Andre (Christian Clavier): Thibault’s loyal but often clueless servant who accompanies him on his accidental journey through time and discovers the concept of personal freedom in the future.
- Rosalind/Julia (Christina Applegate): A princess from the 12th century and her modern-day descendant who helps Thibault adjust to the 21st century and ultimately finds happiness.
- Hunter (Matt Ross): Julia’s money-hungry fiance who plans to exploit her family’s wealth and is exposed by Thibault’s presence.
- Angelique (Tara Reid): A kind-hearted gardener who befriends Andre and introduces him to modern-day concepts of freedom and equality.
- Wizard (Malcolm McDowell): An English Wizard whose botched spell sends Thibault and André to the future and who later tries to fix his mistake.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Thibault: “A red dragon! Prepare to defend yourself!” – Thibault mistakes a modern car for a dangerous mythical creature and prepares to attack it.
- André: “Cheese, very good cheese!” – André expresses his delight upon discovering modern cheese, showcasing his simple pleasures and naivete.
- André: “I am a free man!” – Angelique encourages Andre to embrace modern labor laws and declare himself a free man, showcasing his newfound independence.
- Thibault: “By the virtue of my ancestors!” – Thibault often invokes his noble lineage, emphasizing his old-world values and sense of honor.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $4,781,539
- Worldwide Gross: $16,176,732
💥 Just Visiting Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching ‘Just Visiting’ as a kid and laughing my head off! The scene where they try to figure out the toilet is comedy gold. Sure, it’s not high art, but it’s a fun movie to watch when you just want to switch your brain off. Jean Reno is surprisingly good at comedy, and Christian Clavier steals every scene he’s in. It’s a guilty pleasure for me, and I still enjoy it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Jean Reno and Christian Clavier”
- “People who enjoy lighthearted slapstick comedies”
- “Viewers looking for a family-friendly movie with minimal mature content”
- “Those interested in fish-out-of-water stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some slapstick violence”
- “Crude humor”
- “Mild language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While ‘Just Visiting’ relies on familiar fish-out-of-water tropes, Jean Reno and Christian Clavier deliver solid comedic performances. The film offers lighthearted entertainment but lacks the depth of the original French version. The humor is often predictable, and the pacing feels uneven, but it still provides a few genuine laughs.
- The New York Times: “This American remake of ‘Les Visiteurs’ fails to capture the charm and wit of the original. Jean Reno and Christian Clavier reprise their roles adequately, but the script feels watered down, and the humor is often broad and uninspired. While there are moments of amusement, the film ultimately falls flat.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers found the culture clash between the medieval characters and modern-day Chicago to be the funniest aspect of the movie.: The comedic timing of Jean Reno and Christian Clavier was widely appreciated.
Lots of people loved the slapstick humor, especially the scenes involving technology.: The film’s lighthearted and silly nature made it a great choice for family movie nights.
Overall Consensus: While not a critical darling, ‘Just Visiting’ offers a dose of lighthearted, if somewhat predictable, comedy that some viewers find enjoyable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “”Just Visiting” is an American remake of the highly successful 1993 French film “Les Visiteurs”, with Jean Reno and Christian Clavier reprising their roles.”
- “Although the remake shares the same director and main actors as the original, it faced difficulties in capturing the same comedic charm and cultural nuances that made “Les Visiteurs” a hit.”
- “The film’s humor relies heavily on the culture clash between medieval characters and modern-day society, but some critics found the Americanized version less effective.”
- “The role of the wizard was expanded in the American remake, giving Malcolm McDowell a more significant presence compared to the original film.”
🖥️ How to Watch Just Visiting?
Just Visiting (2001) is available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Keep an eye out for deals, as prices may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Just Visiting, you might like these similar films:
- Les Visiteurs (1993): The original French film that ‘Just Visiting’ is based on, offering a more authentic and critically acclaimed take on the time-traveling medieval comedy.
- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949): A classic film with a similar fish-out-of-water premise, where a modern man travels back in time to the medieval era, creating comedic situations.
- Black Knight (2001): Another comedy film featuring a medieval character transported to the 21st century, providing a similar humorous exploration of culture clash.
- Blast from the Past (1999): While not time travel, it features a character from the Cold War era emerging into modern society, creating a comedic contrast.
🛒 Just Visiting Related Products
- Les Visiteurs (The Visitors) [Blu-ray] (French Film with English Subtitles): Experience the original French comedy that inspired ‘Just Visiting’! This Blu-ray features the hilarious antics of Godefroy de Montmirail and Jacquouille in their native French with English subtitles.
- Medieval Knight Figurine Set: Capture the essence of Count Thibault with a meticulously crafted Medieval Knight Figurine Set. Perfect for displaying your love for history and comedy.
- Funny French Quote T-Shirt: Wear your love for French humor with a t-shirt featuring a memorable quote from the movie ‘Les Visiteurs’. These shirts are super funny.
- Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Tickets: Immerse yourself in the world of knights and chivalry with tickets to a Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Enjoy a feast and live jousting show.
🎧 Soundtrack
Just Visiting 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
Yes, ‘Just Visiting’ is an American remake of the French film ‘Les Visiteurs’ (1993). Both films star Jean Reno and Christian Clavier in the lead roles. However, some fans feel the original is superior to this one.
Filming locations for ‘Just Visiting’ included Raglan Castle in Wales, used for the scenes set in the 12th century. Modern scenes were primarily filmed in Chicago, Illinois.
The humor in ‘Just Visiting’ is primarily slapstick and fish-out-of-water comedy, derived from the culture clash between medieval characters and modern-day society. Some viewers find it silly, while others appreciate its lighthearted nature.
🔥 Bonus Content
12th Century Knight Wakes up in The Future Finding Himself Lost in Modern Society
Ever wonder what happens when a medieval knight ends up in the 21st century? This recap gives you all the hilarious details of ‘Just Visiting’ – trust me, you’ll be laughing!
Just visiting – Jean Reno and Christian Clavier
Want a quick taste of the humor in ‘Just Visiting’? Check out this short clip featuring the legendary duo, Jean Reno and Christian Clavier! Their comedic timing is spot on.
Medieval King Travels To The Future & Falls In Love W/ Descendant
Did you miss some plot points in ‘Just Visiting’? This detailed recap dives into the story of a medieval king accidentally time-traveling to modern Chicago and meeting his descendant. It’s a wild ride!
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