🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Farrelly
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Release year: 1998
- Runtime (length): 1h 59min
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10 (337K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A lovelorn dude hires a sleazy PI to stalk his high school crush, leading to a chaotic competition of lies, bodily fluids, and Brett Favre.
🍿 There’s Something About Mary: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Prom Date Gone Horribly Wrong
In 1985, high schooler Ted has a chance to go to prom with Mary, his dream girl. However, a disastrous bathroom incident involving a zipper effectively ends their date before it even begins. This sets the stage for years of longing and regret for Ted, who never forgets about Mary.

The Search Begins Thirteen Years Later
Thirteen years later, Ted is still hung up on Mary. He hires private investigator Pat Healy to find her. Healy locates Mary in Miami, where she works as an orthopedic surgeon. However, Healy quickly becomes infatuated with Mary himself and begins sabotaging Ted’s chances.

Lies, Deceit, and Many Suitors
Healy provides Ted with false information about Mary and attempts to win her over through deception. Meanwhile, other characters, including a pizza delivery boy posing as a disabled architect, also vie for Mary’s affection. This leads to a series of increasingly absurd and hilarious situations as everyone tries to undermine each other.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mary (Cameron Diaz): The beautiful and kind orthopedic surgeon who is the object of several men’s affections.
- Ted (Ben Stiller): A hapless man still pining for his high school crush, Mary, thirteen years after a disastrous prom date.
- Healy (Matt Dillon): A sleazy private investigator hired to find Mary, who falls for her himself and resorts to deceitful tactics.
- Tucker (Lee Evans): Mary’s seemingly disabled friend, who is secretly a manipulative pizza delivery boy named Norm.
- Warren (W. Earl Brown): Mary’s brother with an intellectual disability, who is fiercely protected by his sister.
- Magda (Lin Shaye): Mary’s sun-leathered neighbor who is known for her eavesdropping tendencies.
- Dom (Chris Elliott): Ted’s married friend, revealed to be Mary’s obsessive ex-boyfriend, Woogie.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hitchhiker: “You heard of this thing, the 8-Minute Abs?” – The hitchhiker tries to sell Ted on his superior ‘7-Minute Abs’ workout, highlighting the absurdity of fitness fads.
- Healy: “I’m a public servant. I help the handicapped.” – Healy says this sarcastically while trying to steal a handicapped man’s parking spot, showcasing his sleazy nature.
- Mary: “Is that hair gel?” – Mary mistakenly uses semen as hair gel, leading to a cringe-worthy and iconic moment.
- Ted: “Excuse me, I’m looking for Mary.” – Ted says this repeatedly as he navigates the bizarre situations in Mary’s life, highlighting his determination and awkwardness.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $176,484,651
- Worldwide Gross: $369,884,651
💥 There’s Something About Mary Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘There’s Something About Mary’ is one of those movies that either makes you laugh until you cry or makes you cringe so hard your face hurts. For me, it’s definitely the former! I remember watching it with my friends for the first time and we were dying! The zipper scene alone is legendary, and the ‘hair gel’ bit? Unforgettable. I know it’s not high art, but this movie makes me laugh every single time. I still quote it with my friends to this day.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of raunchy comedies”
- “Those who enjoy Farrelly Brothers’ films like Dumb and Dumber”
- “Viewers who appreciate dark humor and over-the-top situations”
- “Those looking for a 90s nostalgia trip”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong sexual content”
- “Crude humor”
- “Stalking”
- “Language”
- “Brief depiction of animal cruelty”
Professional Reviews
- Rolling Stone: “A raunchy yet surprisingly sweet romantic comedy that pushes the boundaries of good taste. Diaz shines as Mary, making her genuinely irresistible. The Farrelly brothers manage to balance the outrageous humor with moments of genuine heart.
- The New York Times: “There’s Something About Mary is a gleefully offensive romp that revels in its own absurdity. While the humor may not be for everyone, the film’s commitment to its own brand of outrageousness is admirable. Stiller and Dillon deliver standout comedic performances.
- Variety: “While undeniably funny, the film’s reliance on gross-out gags can be tiring. Cameron Diaz’s charm elevates the material, but the film ultimately feels uneven. The relentless pursuit of shock value sometimes overshadows the genuine comedic moments.
Audience Reactions
The hair gel scene is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen!: The film’s outrageous humor and Cameron Diaz’s charm make it a memorable comedy.
Matt Dillon’s performance as the sleazy PI is hilarious.: The cast’s comedic timing and commitment to their roles are top-notch.
Overall Consensus: A raunchy and often hilarious comedy that, while not for everyone, remains a beloved classic for its outrageous humor and memorable performances.
Awards
- MTV Movie Award (Best Movie)- 1999
- MTV Movie Award (Best Comedic Performance)- 1999
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The scene where Ted gets his zipper caught wasn’t originally scripted. Ben Stiller’s genuine reaction to the accident was so funny that the directors decided to keep it in the movie.”
- “Many of the scenes were filmed in Baltimore, Maryland, despite the movie being set primarily in Rhode Island and Florida.”
- “Jonathan Richman, who serves as the narrator and songwriter throughout the film, wrote original songs specifically for the movie’s soundtrack.”
🖥️ How to Watch There’s Something About Mary?
There’s Something About Mary is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options on services like Hulu or Paramount+ which may occasionally feature the film. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) can also be purchased online or in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed There’s Something About Mary, you might like these similar films:
- Dumb and Dumber (1994): Another Farrelly Brothers comedy known for its outrageous humor and over-the-top gags.
- American Pie (1999): Shares a similar brand of raunchy, coming-of-age humor with awkward and embarrassing situations.
- Wedding Crashers (2005): Features a similar blend of romantic comedy and raunchy humor, with characters engaging in outlandish behavior to achieve their goals.
- Kingpin (1996): Another Farrelly Brothers film featuring outlandish and crude humor.
🛒 There’s Something About Mary Related Products
- There’s Something About Mary (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray of the classic comedy, featuring deleted scenes, commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage for the ultimate fan experience.
- There’s Something About Mary: The Definitive Collection: A limited-edition collector’s set featuring exclusive merchandise, including a replica of the ‘hair gel’ container (empty, of course!), character figurines, and a commemorative poster signed by the Farrelly brothers.
- Mary’s Trivia Game: Test your knowledge of the movie with this hilarious trivia game. Challenge your friends to see who knows the most about Mary, Ted, and all the outrageous moments from the film.
- Build Me Up Buttercup – Greatest Hits: Full album of the artist.
🎧 Soundtrack
There’s Something About Mary features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Build Me Up Buttercup” – performed by The Foundations
- “There’s Something About Mary” – performed by Jonathan Richman
- “Every Day Should Be a Holiday” – performed by The Dandy Warhols
- “How to Live” – performed by Jonathan Richman
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The ‘hair gel’ scene involves Mary unknowingly using semen as hair gel, leading to an incredibly awkward and hilarious moment when she confronts Ted about it. This scene is one of the film’s most memorable and controversial.
Mary ends up with Ted, the character played by Ben Stiller. Despite all the other men vying for her attention, she recognizes Ted’s genuine affection and chooses him in the end.
You can stream There’s Something About Mary on various platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV for rental or purchase. It’s also often available through subscription services like Hulu or Paramount+, so check your local listings.
🔥 Bonus Content
Jonathan Richman – Theres Something About Mary
Curious about the making of the iconic soundtrack of ‘There’s Something About Mary’? Check out this video to see Jonathan Richman’s performance of the title song before the movie’s release. It’s an insightful and entertaining glimpse into the creative process behind the scenes.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Something AboutMary
Want to know more about the hilarious movie ‘There’s Something About Mary’? Watch this video to uncover 10 interesting facts you didn’t know before. It’s a great way to dive deeper into the movie and appreciate the details you might have missed.
THE HORSE FEATHERS COMEDY SHOW NO #8 – Featuring Borat! There’s Something About Mary & Fleabag
Looking for a humorous twist on ‘There’s Something About Mary’? Check out this comedy show that includes a hilarious segment on the movie. It’s a perfect blend of humor and insights, leaving you entertained and appreciating the movie even more.
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