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Throw Momma from the Train

Throw Momma from the Train

Owen asked his friend Larry for a small favor.

198788 minPG-13Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
Director
Danny DeVito
Starring
Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, Kim Greist, Anne Ramsey

Larry Donner, an author with a cruel ex-wife, teaches a writing workshop in which one of his students, Owen, is fed up with his domineering mother. When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie's plot into action and offers to kill Larry's ex-wife, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already set things in motion.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Throw Momma from the Train?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Throw Momma from the Train streaming on MGM+ via Apple TV, Pluto TV (free), Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Throw Momma from the Train?

Throw Momma from the Train earns 11 badges, led by Word-of-mouth hit and Standout acting.

Show 3 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Throw Momma from the Train worth watching?

Throw Momma from the Train's Midcredits score is the 51st percentile of all films, from 86K ratings across 6 sources. 46% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

51st percentile

Better received than 51% of films

58th percentile among Comedy54th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)55th
Approval (how many liked it)46th

63 /100

55th percentile of all films

63rd percentile among Comedy58th percentile among 1980s

Critics 56 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

46% liked it

46th percentile of all films

52nd percentile among Comedy49th percentile among 1980s
46% rated it 7–1054% rated it 1–6

Critics 65% · Audience 55%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 5 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

93rd percentile

86K ratings across platforms

93rd percentile among Comedy93rd percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$14M
Opening weekend$7.3M
Domestic gross$58M
Worldwide gross$58M

Returned 4.1× its budget — 92nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It's a dark comedy parodying Strangers on a Train with standout performances from Anne Ramsey and the leads.

Fans praised

  • Anne Ramsey's momma performance is hilarious and steals the film
  • Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal's comedic chemistry
  • Funny dark humor that has aged well

Detractors panned

  • Over-the-top and derivative
  • Plot is top-heavy and doesn't make enough of its characters
  • Film feels underdeveloped

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

Anne Ramsey's momma performance is exceptional and steals the show, DeVito and Crystal are hilarious

HumorDivisive80

Dark comedy is funny, especially Ramsey's scenes

CharactersDivisive70

Owen and Larry are memorable but some find them underdeveloped

DialogueDivisive70

Witty lines and funny banter between leads

OriginalityDivisive65

Parody of Hitchcock but derivative, with fresh twist

Plot and storyDivisive60

Criss-cross murder premise is entertaining but top-heavy

Pacing55

Some find it drags in places but overall lively

EndingDivisive50

Ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 11 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 25 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Throw Momma from the Train like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle, never lets up and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdTenseJoyful
Heaviest: middle
Dark humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its dark premise with a knowing, comedic distance, lampooning Hitchcock and its own murder plot.
The rideThe absurd comedy dominates throughout, but the middle stretch carries the most sustained tension from the murder plot and police chase.
StructureThe story unfolds in a straightforward chronology from the setup of Larry's writer's block through the murder plot and its resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you grinning at the absurdity of the murder plot and the happy resolution where both writers succeed.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe plot turns on two men who believe they have agreed to swap murders, sending one man on the run after his ex-wife disappears and he becomes the prime suspect.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfObsession
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3% (this title)
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Obsession · 3% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeLarry's fixation on his ex-wife fuels both his writer's block and the plot, while his uneasy alliance with Owen slowly grows into an unlikely friendship and renewed creative ambition.
StanceThe film satirizes Larry's obsessive fixation on his ex-wife by treating his murderous fantasies as fodder for farcical comedy, never taking them seriously.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticIn transitRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · David Newman
SettingLos Angeles; a community college, Larry's apartment, the Lift house, and a train to Mexico
MusicA playful, cartoonish orchestral score that underlines the farcical tone.

Content guide

Is Throw Momma from the Train okay for kids?

PG-13

Throw Momma from the Train is rated PG-13. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (38/100), sexual content at moderate (40/100), language at moderate (60/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (31/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its frightening material has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 50% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 7 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland15
  • Austria12
  • Hungary12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 32% of all filmsHeavier than 50% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 36%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 74%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 88%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 47%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 88% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Throw Momma from the Train have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Throw Momma from the Train?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Danny DeVito
as Owen Lift
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Billy Crystal
as Larry Donner
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Kim Greist
as Beth Ryan
Anne Ramsey
as Momma Lift
Kate Mulgrew
as Margaret Donner
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Branford Marsalis
as Lester
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Rob Reiner
as Joel
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bruce Kirby
as Detective DeBenedetto
Joey DePinto
as Sergeant
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Annie Ross
as Mrs. Hazeltine
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Throw Momma from the Train?

Movies like Throw Momma from the Train include Clockwise (1986), The Villain (1979) and Modern Problems (1981). Of the 12 closest matches, most are farces, and all are films that feel absurdist.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its feel: satire. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Throw Momma from the Train?

2.8K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: wrongly accused. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.