Dennis the Menace Strikes Again! (1998)

Dennis the Menace Strikes Again! is the kind of old-fashioned, live-action family comedy that commits completely to its premise: one small boy, one big imagination, and a neighborhood that never stands a chance. The movie’s charm comes from its unapologetically cartoonish slapstick—tumbles, yelps, and escalating “how did that happen?” chaos—anchored by Don Rickles, who turns George Wilson’s exasperation into a steady stream of priceless, prickly one-liners. It’s breezy, bright, and built for viewers who miss the era when kids’ comedies were basically a safe demolition derby with a warm heart underneath. If you’re looking for subtle humor or a modern edge, it may feel broad, but if you want an easy watch that plays like a Saturday-morning comic strip come to life, it delivers exactly that.

Dennis the Menace Strikes Again! is clearly aiming for broad, kid-friendly slapstick with a simple “grumpy neighbor vs. chaos kid” setup and a tidy lesson about friendship at the end. The problem is it plays like a thinner, noisier retread, leaning hard on repetitive pratfalls and shouting where smarter comedy or a stronger story should be, so adults and older kids may feel their patience being tested. Don Rickles brings some bite and timing that briefly lifts the material, and younger viewers who just want nonstop cartoonish mishaps will likely be fine. If you’re not already a Dennis fan or you’re hoping for something with the charm and polish of better family comedies, this one may feel like a straight-to-video sequel that overstays its welcome.