Harry and the Hendersons (1987)

Harry and the Hendersons (1987)

Author: Shat on Entertainment March 17, 2026 Duration: 1:04:42

This week on Shat the Movies, we're asking the important question: what if Bigfoot was just… a really hairy houseguest? Harry and the Hendersons (1987) brings us a giant, gentle creature, a suburban family, and way more emotional damage than anyone signed up for. Gene and Big D break down the mix of slapstick, heart, and surprisingly heavy moments that somehow made this a childhood staple.

Is Harry adorable or just a walking mess? And why does this movie hit harder as an adult than it ever did as a kid? Tune in to find out if this furry classic still holds up.


Movie Summary:
Harry and the Hendersons (1987) is a family comedy directed by William Dear and stars John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Kevin Peter Hall as Harry. The film follows the Henderson family after they accidentally hit a Bigfoot-like creature with their car and bring him home, only to discover he's intelligent, emotional, and completely out of place in the human world. Known for its groundbreaking makeup effects by Rick Baker, the film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. It blends comedy and heartfelt themes about acceptance, family, and letting go.

Subscribe Now

Help Support the Podcast


Remember those Friday nights at the video store, the thrill of finding that one perfect VHS tape to define your weekend? Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review digs into that exact feeling, hosted by the team at Shat on Entertainment. This isn't just a nostalgic trip down memory lane; it's a critical, funny, and often brutally honest re-examination of the films we adored (or just endured) during those decades. Each episode focuses on a specific movie, asking the hard questions: does this classic actually hold up, or were we just easily impressed kids? The conversation goes beyond simple reviews, exploring the cultural context of the time, the lasting impact of these stories, and why certain cinematic magic from that era feels so difficult to replicate today. You'll get deep dives into character choices, plot holes we all ignored, and the sheer practical effects that defined an age. It's for anyone who has ever rewatched a childhood favorite and wondered, "Was this always kind of... weird?" Listen to this podcast for a blend of genuine appreciation and well-reasoned skepticism, all delivered with the passion of film fans who lived through the era of rewinding tapes and hoping the rental copy wasn't too scratched. Join the discussion as we separate the timeless treasures from the nostalgic fluff, one iconic film at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review
Podcast Episodes
Diggstown (1992) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:22
James Woods is a con man you desperately want to punch, Louis Gossett Jr. fights 10 men at 48 years old, and Gene somehow thought this was a New Jack City knockoff. This week, Steven M. commissions the 1992 sports comedy…
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
This week on Shat the Movies, we're signing on with Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), the war comedy that promised nonstop laughs and delivered something stranger, sadder, and more complicated. Robin Williams turns in one of…
Heavyweights (1995) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:15
This week, Gene and Big D tackle a commission with a personal touch: Zach — a top 0.5% Shat the Movies listener and fitness industry pro — was gifted a review of the 1995 Disney comedy Heavyweights. Written by Judd Apato…
American Pie (1999) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:19
This week on Shat the Movies, we're revisiting American Pie (1999), the movie that launched a thousand awkward teen comedies and permanently changed how people look at baked goods. Gene and Big D break down the friendshi…
Double Jeopardy (1999) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:15
This week on Shat the Movies, we're breaking down Double Jeopardy (1999), where Ashley Judd gets framed for murder and then finds out she can get away with it… at least in theory. Gene and Big D dig into the cross-countr…
The Negotiator (1998) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:39
This week, Shat The Movies heads to Chicago for The Negotiator, the 1998 hostage thriller that asks a simple question: What happens when the best hostage negotiator in the city takes hostages of his own? Starring Samuel…
The Hitcher (1986) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Shat The Movies hits the open road with The Hitcher, the 1986 horror-thriller that transformed an ordinary highway drive into pure nightmare fuel. Starring Rutger Hauer as the terrifying and impossibly calm John Ryder, t…
Rapid Fire (1992) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:53
This week, Shat The Movies steps into the crossfire with Rapid Fire, the 1992 action thriller that gave Brandon Lee his best showcase as a leading man. Commissioned by listener Rob H., this early-'90s cult favorite blend…
Jerry Maguire (1996) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:07
This week, Shat The Movies dives into Jerry Maguire, Cameron Crowe's 1996 romantic dramedy that gave us mission statements, sports agents, and more endlessly quoted lines than almost any movie of the decade. Tom Cruise s…
True Colors (1991) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:44
This week on Shat the Movies, we're revisiting True Colors (1991), where friendship and ambition collide in a very 90s way. John Cusack and James Spader play college friends whose paths split as one chases power in polit…