Ruthless People
“Sam Stone's wife has just been kidnapped... And he doesn't want her back!”
Sam Stone hates his wife Barbara so much that he wants her dead. He's ecstatic when she's taken by a duo of kidnappers who want $500,000 ransom in exchange for her life. Fully intending to ignore every one of the kidnappers' demands in the hopes that they do him a favor and murder her for him, the two confused kidnappers have to figure out how they're going get their money, and what they're going to do with the overbearing Barbara.
Where to watch Ruthless People in United States
Can I watch Ruthless People in United States? Ruthless People isn't on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open Ruthless People there. Availability last verified on October 20, 2026.
Where is Ruthless People streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | YouTube |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, YouTube |
| Canada | Disney Plus | Apple TV Store, YouTube, Amazon Video |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Germany | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, YouTube |
| France | — | YouTube, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store |
| Brazil | Disney Plus | — |
| Japan | — | FOD |
About Ruthless People
Ruthless People is a 1986 English-language comedy film directed by David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. The cast is led by Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold. It has a runtime of 1h 34m. Viewers rate it 6.6/10 across 500 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
Ruthless People was produced by Touchstone Pictures and Silver Screen Partners II and made in United States of America. It was released on June 26, 1986, and carries a R certification. Made on a budget of about $11 million, it went on to gross $72 million worldwide.
- Director
- David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
- Writers
- Dale Launer
- Release date
- June 26, 1986
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- R
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Budget
- $11 million
- Box office
- $72 million
- Production
- Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners II
Ruthless People cast & crew
Ruthless People was directed by David Zucker and Jerry Zucker and written by Dale Launer.
The cast features Danny DeVito as Sam Stone, Bette Midler as Barbara Stone, Judge Reinhold as Ken Kessler, Helen Slater as Sandy Kessler, Anita Morris as Carol Dodsworth, and Bill Pullman as Earl James Mott.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Michel Colombier, cinematography is by Jan de Bont, and it was produced by Walter Yetnikoff and Michael Peyser.
Is Ruthless People worth watching?
Ruthless People holds an audience score of 6.6/10 from 467 ratings, a solidly received comedy films.
At 1h 34m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy comedy, Ruthless People is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Ruthless People
Ruthless People isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
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Cast of Ruthless People
Danny DeVito
Sam Stone
Bette Midler
Barbara Stone
Judge Reinhold
Ken Kessler
Helen Slater
Sandy Kessler
Anita Morris
Carol Dodsworth
Bill Pullman
Earl James Mott
William G. Schilling
Chief Henry Benton
Art Evans
Lt. Bender
Clarence Felder
Lt. Walters
J.E. Freeman
Bedroom Killer
Gary Riley
Heavy Metal Kid
Frank Sivero
The Mugger
Ruthless People — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Ruthless People in United States?
Ruthless People is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
▸What language is Ruthless People in?
Ruthless People is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Ruthless People?
Ruthless People runs 1 hours 34 minutes (94 minutes).
▸What is Ruthless People rated?
Ruthless People is rated R. It holds a 6.6/10 audience score from 467 ratings.
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