Problem Child 2 (1991)

Problem Child 2 is the kind of unapologetically rowdy family comedy that knows exactly what it is: a live-action cartoon powered by slapstick mayhem, shamelessly gross-out set pieces, and John Ritter’s endlessly likable exasperation as a dad trying to rebuild his life. The movie’s secret weapon is its breezy, anything-can-happen energy, where every new adult “solution” sparks a fresh, escalating disaster and the humor comes fast, loud, and memorably crude. It’s not subtle and it’s certainly not wholesome in the squeaky-clean sense (the language and pranks can get pretty mean-spirited), but if you’re in the mood for a nostalgic, consequence-free riot that doesn’t take itself seriously for a second, it delivers exactly that. Come for the chaos, stay for Ritter’s warmth and the oddly sweet little heartbeat beneath all the anarchy.

Problem Child 2 is trying to be a bigger, louder family comedy about a mischievous kid sabotaging his dad’s love life, with John Ritter doing his best to keep the chaos charming. The problem is the movie confuses “escalation” with “funny,” piling on mean-spirited pranks, gross-out gags, and cartoon cruelty until it feels more exhausting than entertaining. If you’re hoping for warm family humor or clever mischief, this one’s likely to test your patience, especially with the crude language and aggressive slapstick. Still, if your nostalgia runs on early-’90s “anything goes” kid-comedy energy and you can laugh at tasteless antics, Ritter and a few zany set pieces might be just enough to get you through.