Addams Family Values (1993) | First Time Watching | Movie Reaction

It's love at first fright when Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) welcome a new addition to the Addams household -- Pubert, their soft, cuddly, mustachioed baby boy. As Fester (Christopher Lloyd) falls hard for voluptuous nanny Debbie Jilinksy (Joan Cusack), Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) discover she's a black-widow murderess who plans to add Fester to her collection of dead husbands. The family's future grows even bleaker when the no-good nanny marries Fester and has the kids shipped off to summer camp. But Wednesday still has a Thing or two up her sleeve... With gags and ghouls galore, Addams Family Values is "screamingly funny!" (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview)
Actors: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Carol Kane,
Jimmy Workman, Kaitlyn Hooper, Carel Struycken, David Krumholtz, Peter MacNicol, Christine Baranski
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Genres: Comedy
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Intro: 0:00
Reaction: 3:03
Outro: 32:48
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#reaction #firsttimewatching #addamsfamily

[@ApesAmongUs]

I love that at any moment up to the very end, Debbie could have stopped demanding that Fester not see the family and she would have been welcomed with open arms.

[@SuperDrocket]

Debbie was so wrapped up in herself that he didn't notice that she has basically found the perfect family for her. Just look at how sympathetic they are towards her when she's telling them her life story. She could have stayed married to Fester and kept trying to kill him, and he'd love her through every attempt. The rest of the family would probably even give her advice on how to do it.

[@LordVolkov]

"Don't I deserve love? And jewelry?" The irony of that line is that Fester was lavishing both upon her and had no problem with any of her behavior *except the family separation. She could have been happy spending his money forever...

[@ink-cow]

Pubert's name has a history. The original TV series was developed from the popular New Yorker cartoons by Charles Addams, but although his characters seemed to have family ties none of them had names. For the TV version, Addams (the cartoonist) gave them choices: in the case of the little boy, his suggestions included Pugsley and Pubert. Pugsley won out, but digging up the name Pubert from Addams Family history is a reflection of the care they took in these films.

[@dlweiss]

Great reaction! Also, regarding your question about the “nuttiness” of the Addams: the point of the Addams is that they’re the mirror-image of a conventional, “normal” family, but in ways that often make them more loving and wholesome than “normal” families. It’s a kind of satire of normal society. That’s why Gomez and Morticia are constantly so passionate and affectionate towards each other: because the “normal” stereotype is that married couples grow bored and lose that spark. Especially back in the 90s, where half the sitcoms featured unhappy nagging wives and long-suffering, unsatisfied husbands. Similarly, notice how Gomez and Morticia are unconditionally supportive of their children - even when their children are pushing against family expectations. They send the kids to camp because they think that’s what the kids secretly want. Morticia reads cheerful books to the baby, even though it distresses her. While sadly, a lot of “normal” parents get angry and won’t let their children veer too far from family expectations/traditions - even if it makes the kids miserable. Plus, notice how Wednesday and Pugsly socialize at camp: they’re happy to befriend all of the weirdos and outcasts, as opposed to all the “normal” kids and counselors who just bully and isolate anyone who’s “abnormal.” And Wednesday’s unafraid to tell the real truth about Thanksgiving, instead of the sugar-coated fantasy that “normal” people prefer. 😂

[@learobinson4450]

@dlweiss. Not only does Morticia read Dr. Seuss to the baby she had to go out & buy the books. It’s doubtful that the Addams’ had Dr. Seuss books already on the shelf. We all should be fortunate enough to have such a supportive mom

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Very well said, thanks for that insight. They are sure fun to watch.

[@spddracer]

I wouldn't even say satire. Just life from a slightly different point of view.

[@highstimulation2497]

I too have been happy to befriend such people. everyone else always disappoints me.

[@TheKrensada]

My single favorite scene in this movie is the "Pastels" line.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

I loved the Turkey

[@shainewhite2781]

This was one of Raul Julia's last films as an actor before his passing.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Was he young?

[@9teen80s]

@@AwesomeUSMovies He was only 54 when he died, far too young.

[@1Cheytown]

​@@AwesomeUSMoviesToo young. They even gave him a state funeral in his native Puerto Rico

[@mchllwoods]

The blonde little girl was in the first movie as The girl scout. Also, she was Harmony the vampire in the Buffy the vampire slayer series.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Never saw that series

[@chris...9497]

The desk sergeant is played by Nathan Lane. The female camp counselor is played by Christine Baranski. They later appeared together in "The Bird Cage", Lane as Albert and Baranski as the birth mother. Grandmama is played by Carol Kane, who played the Ghost of Christmas Past in "Scrooged" and the wife of Miracle Max in "The Princess Bride". Wednesday Addams is played by a young Christina Ricci, who played the love interest of Johnny Depp in "Sleepy Hollow. The part of Wednesday's boyfriend is played by David Krumholtz, who went on to play Bernard the Chief Elf in the Tim Allen "Santa Clause" franchise. The "Galaxy Quest" guy is Tony Shalhoub. He didn't really hit it big until he got his TV series "Monk" in 2002. Before then, he had small roles. Having a highly successful series for 7 years is a big help to an acting career. Shalhoub came to national prominence in a small part in a TV sitcom called "Wings", about a small New England town airport. Shalhoub played what was to be a brief role as an immigrant taxi driver, but did it so engagingly that the role was elevated to a regular cast member. Interestingly, other than a bit part in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975, Christopher Lloyd came to national prominence the same way. In 1978 he appeared in the TV sitcom "Taxi" as the cab driver Jim, a smaller role of an ensemble cast, but he did it so well and large that the writers wrote to expand the character.

[@josmonlee13]

I’m not sure if anyone else pointed it out, but Gary the camp counselor is also Janosz, Dana’s boss in Ghostbusters 2, the weirdo who works for the painting

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

Yes! He was awesome in Ghostbusters 2! He worked for Lord Vigo.

[@Shann714]

You cut my favorite line "Don't we wish they would just DIE?!" from the camp counselor. cracks me up every time. No big deal. Too many great lines. so hard, I am sure, to pick what to cut! That was absolutely my favorite though.

[@chuckhackett4493]

Fun fact: The baby was played by twin girls.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

love it

[@ItApproaches]

But Pubert is a boy....

[@shallowgal462]

The police desk sergeant was Nathan Lane from Mouse Hunt, The Lion King, and The Birdcage. The delivery room doctor was Frasier's brother, Niles. The female camp counselor was the Who down in Whoville who had a crush on The Grinch. Wednesday's boyfriend was the head elf in The Santa Clause. Tony Shalhoub from Galaxy Quest is best known that and for Men in Black, Men in Black II, and as TV's Mr. Monk. I don't think the camp counselor's vision of the first Thanksgiving was fulfilled.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Haven't seen any of those lol

[@katwebbxo]

This movie resonated with me so much growing up as the weird "goth" kid. I got a lot of similar reactions from people as Wednesday. I'm also Native American so the Thanksgiving play scene made me love her even more. 🖤

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Oh, yeah I get that. I bet this was popular with goth.

[@katwebbxo]

@@AwesomeUSMovies Definitely! I also loved the TV show from the 60's and the 90's animated series. I'd recommend looking up clips of the 60's show on your own time if you haven't seen any. 🖤

[@christopherb501]

How do you like the Wednesday show?

[@katwebbxo]

@@christopherb501 Tbh I haven't started it but I've definitely been interested. Just haven't gotten to it yet. I think Jenna Ortega suits the part pretty well though.

[@robling1937]

Yes! Love your reactions James. This is one of my favorite films from growing up. One of the rare sequels that outshines the original. And the deal with the kids is that they are just playing and sort of other worldly lucky enough to not die during their shenanigans. It's not really meant to make sense, just to be laughed at.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Very tough to kill those Addams

[@nooneofconsequence1251]

You might recognize Debbie's voice from Toy Story 2. The same actress voiced the cowgirl Jessie.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Cool

[@Br0nto5aurus]

In the guillotine scene the children are recreating the beheading of Marie Antionette, which was why the baby was dressed up. When I first watched I thought it was a baptism outfit.

[@evacombs9720]

I will say about the bald eagle joke, at the time (1992), they were very seriously endangered (I was a precocious teen and into wildlife conservation at the time). Bald eagles are one of the extreme successes in wildlife conservation, but now, not at the time.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Great to hear. We actually have an abundance of them in central Iowa. They litterally have a HUGE nest right near down town Des Moines, IA. I was golfing the other day and one flew right over my head.

[@melissaisloud7404]

I would love for you to do a series where you watch films based on books you’ve read or book you read in preparation for the films. I think it would be really interesting to hear your views on the transitions from book to film with each story.

[@chris...9497]

I would particularly love it if our dear host has read "Pride and Prejudice" and did a reaction to "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", which I asset is the best version of the book ever made. (And having a Dr Who in it doesn't hurt either.)

[@LordVolkov]

The only change in the main cast is Granny Addams, who is played by the delightfully kooky Carol Kane in Values. There's so much to watch her in, and though she looks nothing like Granny you'll definitely recognize her laugh.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

Carol Kane really had her career set, as a young woman she played old women, and as an old woman she doesn't have to change a bit.

[@crystalsnow1138]

Okay I've probably seen this movie numerous times in my life, but I never noticed Pugsley trying to hang himself in the background at camp.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

LOL, I catch little stuff like that all the time. I've got eagle eyes

[@ItApproaches]

The Addams are the best family there is. If everyone was like them, oh boy what a fantastic world we would have.

[@kennethcook9406]

Yes! The Addamses are functionally immortal, and nearly impervious to injury. . . however there is a tiny sliver of a Venn Diagram where they can be hurt/killed.

[@kennethcook9406]

The male camp counselor is the same actor who played Yanoush in Ghostbusters 2; and the summer camp girl, Amanda, is the girl scout from the first movie.

[@christinehorror8178]

One of the few movies/ shows to add a baby and ot didnt ruin everything lol.. love the one liners in this! Better than the first even though i love the first one too

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Debbie was played by the charming and hilarious Joan Cusack, who is always a delight. Check her out featuring with her brother John in "Grosse Pointe Blank".

[@Joker_JAK]

Bald Eagles were endangered at the time of this film. They've since been taken off the endangered species list. The female counselor is played by Christine Baranski. She played Leonard's mom on The Big Bang Theory. The other counselor is played by Peter MacNicol who was in Ghostbusters 2.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

OMG you're right. She was the mom

[@christopherb501]

Still on shaky ground, and there are plenty of other endangered species that need help. Stop mulching and torching wilderness, people.

[@nooneofconsequence1251]

This movie is when my crush on Cristina Ricci really kicked into high gear. Especially that one scene where she smiles... gorgeous... I know she's like 12 years old in this movie.. but... we're about the same age. I'm 44 now and she's 43.

[@gacchan]

Great pick. I love this movie so much. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Thanks! You too!

[@_LexiMae]

The European joke is because the Native Americans taught the European settlers how to bathe. 😂

[@goldieschooch8512]

Flash back of childhood days watching the original!

[@freddieking441]

I agree that the historically inaccurate Thanksgiving play was definitely the best part of the movie especially at the end with the revolt and escape plan. Wednesday Addams is the GOAT in this! 😎

[@sharonellis8776]

This is a great sequel. Love all the family characters. xx

[@tarzapopohead]

The girl that plays AManda was the Girlscout from the first movie.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Oh fun

[@ScarlettM]

33:36 - I don't think they kill people. I think people die around them, accidentally. Like Debbie.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Maybe

[@cathleenwarner1778]

2 years passed from the first to the second movie-in real life-but movie verse wise, 7-8 months pass, because at the end of the first movie, Morticia tells Gomes she's pregnant again and at the beginning of the 2nd movie, her water breaks

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

2 years isn't to bad

[@darthdmc]

Christina Ricci steals every scene she is in, in this.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

She was great

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Grandma has been replaced by Carol Kane - a compatriot of Christopher Lloyd from his days in Taxi (with Danny Devito, Judd Hirsch and Andy Kaufman).

[@nickblood7080]

General rule of the thumb older movies from the 80’s and 90’s sequels were filmed further apart. Exceptions would be back to the future 2 and 3 being filmed back to back. Matrix 2 and 3. Both had a gap between the original and the their sequels though.

[@ScarlettM]

6:07 - they were playing at "French Revolution" and the baby boy was playing the part of Marie Antoinette.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Yup I get it, thanks

[@JamieLeaFL]

The secret to the Addams family that is not explained in either film… an Addams can not kill another Addams. That is why the children can constantly try to murder one another through out both films.

[@knowledge-girl]

By marrying Fester did that mean Debbie became an Addams? If she had attempted to kill him beforehand he would have died?

[@donsnover2585]

Great sequel and yeah the play was great

[@SonOfMuta]

6:08 "It's a her now" Because it is dressed up as Marie Antoinette..wife of King Louis XVI...both were killed by guillotine during the French Revolution

[@tranatkikomi6873]

Baby girl(s) playing a baby boy playing a disgraced queen.

[@1Cheytown]

The "hippie" nanny (the first canidate) is played by Cynthia Nixon of Sex And The City fame.

[@3DJapan]

11:41 From the derogatory rumor that Europeans smell bad.

[@chuckh4077]

29:36 Yup. All bad guys/galls have a monologue before killing the good guys. it's expected and required. lol

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

Joan Cusack is always great

[@3DJapan]

18:11 This appears to be an Amber Moon. Vodka or whiskey, tabasco, and a raw egg. Apparently it's a hangover cure

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Crazy, now I want to try it

[@marcusfridh8489]

The "revenge of Pocahontas" is one of my favorymovie scenes of all time. Wednesday Addams is the patron goddess of highly-functional Autism

[@fabianobermeier2838]

I would like to recommend the film “The Ice Storm” to you. Also goes well with Thanksgiving and Christina Ricci (Wednesday) is also there and also has a great Thanksgiving speech.

[@athens_1psvr31]

So that summer camp play is why people suggested this for Thanksgiving? Speaking of Sheeple. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Yugioh420]

Why would she blow up the fancy house? Insurance money on top of lawsuit for the death of her husband to whomever she was going to blame it on. Im guessing gas since the oven was cooking the salmon dish.

[@billsimonis]

the movies and the tv series were all based on the macabre cartoons of Charles Addams that appeared in New yorker. There was a direct to video sequesl to this movie. Addams Family Reunion, none of the cast returned. instead gomez was played by Tim Curry mainly because Raul Julia (Gomez) died of stomach cancer shortly after this movie. avoid the sequel at all cost and reincarnations at all cost

[@CafeDeDuy]

Correction: the Addams never killed anyone, including Debbie. Her death was accidental on her part

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Understood, he said acquitted at one point. Wasn't sure if there's more to the story

[@1Cheytown]

Oh Pubert knew what he was doing...he IS an Addams after all

[@aaliyahthomas1456]

You should watch The secret life of bees, The help, Think like a man, Hidden Figures, Harriet, and The Harder they fall.

[@Yugioh420]

If your talking about who i think you are talking about there at the end he also played monk in the TV series monk so he had a pretty big role there.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Yeah, he was in Galaxy Quest. loved that one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h367q4N4d9itnbMsi=l1sp-mkJQgBJD7XD

[@Yugioh420]

@AwesomeUSMovies yea, never knew he had a squid alien kink before. 😆 🤣

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

Wednesday at summer camp was perfection.👌

[@JstaGrl329]

Hi James, great reaction! I love this movie and I’m so happy to see that you enjoyed it. 😊

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Thanks for watching

[@gregkirby9059]

if you liked this horror comedy then The Burbs is a must with Tom Hanks

[@Mediawatcher2023]

The sequal is better than the first a classic

[@1Cheytown]

I wanted to add an addition comment that just came to me. Its regarding Joel's freakout over Michael Jackson's poster in the "Harmony Hut." This came out in 93 which was when Michael Jackson was first being accused of child molestation so it could have something to do with that. At the wedding, Itt was known as the officant (the one who performs the ceremony, usually a priest)

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

oh got it thanks. that helps

[@1Cheytown]

@AwesomeUSMovies Pleasure....as I said, the thought had just occurred to me that maybe that was the reason (I remember it WAS a HUGE thing back then). Keep up the awesome reactions!! (All puns intended)

[@NJAsmodeus1]

Malibu bar-bie

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

How dare they

[@NJAsmodeus1]

@@AwesomeUSMovies this is a family favorite movie. This and the first are watched multiple times a year. I owned these on vhs, dvd, streaming, and whenever Barbie is brought up it is a race to yell “Malibu Barbie”

[@dawgpound3976]

James you missed the video at the end of the movie it was a song by mc hammer

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Oh man

[@michaelrosenblum4170]

Loved the reaction. Looking back,y attraction to the toxic mess that is Debbie probably explains a few ex gfs. Live and learn

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

OMG lol you poor man

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

You should check out the Wednesday series, it's pretty good and Christina Ricci is back but not as an Addams.

[@bryanparker2925]

For some reason I think you would get a kick out of the movie “What We do in the Shadows”

[@Joanne.is_me]

WAIT SO Addams family reaction IS NOT DEAD?! OMG🤩

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Lots to watch, I'll get to everything eventually

[@gregkirby9059]

watch the movie RED with Bruce Willis

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

Star Trek Thing? I don't think i've seen that one. lol

[@LucareonVee]

If you're looking for more in the way of family unity movies as you'd described, you really need to check out the 1989 movie "Parenthood." It's criminally overlooked.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Added thanks

[@MaRodney07]

James I'm subbed..stop yelling at me 🤣🤣

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

I'm so sorry if it comes across that way. I have to ask. It's KZbin law

[@MaRodney07]

@AwesomeUSMovies you're good..I was making a joke lol

[@WolfStarbuck]

Since we're getting into the winter months... may I suggest the movie Better Off Dead (comedy, 1985). It's weird and funny. You'll like it, I'm sure :) ("Debbie"'s real life brother starred in it).

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Added

[@JacobDennisHarris8586]

COOL MOVIE!

[@cathleenwarner1778]

The Michael Jackson scared thing, is because this was around the time he was being accused of child abuse

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Oh.. got it thanks that helps

[@Yugioh420]

Wednesday didn't start liking the boy until he mentioned how easy it was to kill him. Then that ending. I guess question one did the boy die and question 2 did she plan to kill him from the very beginning?

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

All good questions

[@Yugioh420]

@AwesomeUSMovies after all they bury the two at the end of the first movie who are likely still alive at the time so it's not her first murder, she is at that age where she only has one thing on her mind and boys wasn't it. She tried to kill the girl who played Sara Miller in the play or let her drown herself a number of times. Tried or might have actually cooked to camp councilors alive, and watched Debbie fry before there eyes, other then the kiss and the line about forces pulling them apart at no time did she show actually affection going so far as to say she would pitty someone like him. She didn't state it was him nor did he but we both know he was talking about himself when he was talking about worshipping the ground she walked on and being her devoted servant. So if she did have any romantic feelings it was only to later feel the joy of killing the one you love. In her own weird Adam's ways.

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Sometimes if an actor really loves a movie sreies or tv series they'll actually beg to have a samll cameo or guest star spot.

[@theatergeek82]

The baby was played by twin girls

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

fun

[@niepieisme9830]

😆👍

[@AceVoorhees]

⛄🔪

[@gt4589]

**Where is Weird Science??? And to help you out for the Holidays, React to these Christmas Movies! Jingle All the Way(Arnold Schwarsenegger)... Christmas with the Kranks(Tim Allen)... Surviving Christmas(Ben Affleck & Christina Applegate)... and Deck the Halls(Danny Devito). All are Great Comedies...***

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

It will get a KZbin release next year. All holiday stuff till then

[@gt4589]

@@AwesomeUSMovies ahh okay....

[@gt4589]

@@AwesomeUSMovies Forgot "A Christmas Story" and "Miracle on 34th Street" both Classics!!

[@joe-gs5bx]

Body count about 2000

[@Dan-B]

But Debbie…..pastels?

[@aaliyahthomas1456]

Have you watched any movies that were based on books you've already read? If not, you should.

[@highstimulation2497]

I'm wednesday. hated camp.

[@danlayne9436]

I'll be the victim! All your life.

[@AwesomeUSMovies]

Oh come on. I believe in you.