'The Happytime Murders' Early Buzz: This Could Be The Worst Movie Of The Summer

‘The Happytime Murders’ Early Buzz: This Could Be The Worst Movie Of The Summer

DirectorBrian Henson’s name may suggest wholesome family fare, but his new movie is anything but.The Happytime Murdersis a raunchy comedy set in a world where puppets lie, cheat, steal, screw, and commit crimes. Sounds like a recipe for big laughs, right?

Well, the first reviews for the film are in and they’re…not good. In fact, more than several critics are calling this the worst film of the summer, if not the year. Take a look for yourself.

Collider’s Jeff Sneider didn’t write a review, but he did post a positive tweet. One of the few.

So I know I saw it for free while high on sugar, but I liked THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS. Not sure what Film Twitter was expecting from an R-rated puppet comedy. Sure, the ads give away the best gags, but I dug the world, the characters & the MYSTERY. Plus, Melissa & Maya are funny AF.

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider)June 18, 2025

IGNoffers one of the most positive reviews of the bunch, singling out the craft of the puppeteers and how the raunchy humor works to make a point:

Daily Deadprovided one of the few truly and completely positive takes:

The New York Timesisn’t effusive in its praise, but it is certainly kinder than many other critics:

Nerdistfound the two main characters, Melissa McCarthy’s cop and Bill Barretta’s puppet P.I., to be a surprisingly effective duo:

The Hollywood Reporteris warmer than most, praising the script and Henson’s direction:

However, the kind notices end there.IndieWirestraight-up calls the film the worst release of the summer:

An admirably debased butdeeplyunfunny Muppet noir that opens with a porn-addicted bunny getting his head blown off, it peaks with a Robert De Niro-inspired puppet ejaculating silly string all over his office, and presumably ends with a post-credit scene in which all of the actors fire their agents (full disclosure: I fled the theater during the blooper reel).

ScreenCrushechoes that sentiment, calling it the worst movie of the summer as well:

Vanity Fairtakes it a step further and calls it the worst movie of the year:

The Guardiandoesn’t have many nice things to say either:

Varietysays that the film front-loads its dirtiest jokes and then runs out of steam:

Pajibasays that Henson’s eye and ear for comedy ultimately ring hollow:

The Village Voicedespairs at the lack of imagination on display:

The Happytime Murdersopens in theaters onAugust 24, 2018. Look for /Film’s review soon.