Let’s be real for a second. Most "family" franchises are honestly kind of exhausting. They’re either too sugary or they’re trying way too hard to be edgy. But the Addams Family movies? They hit different. They’ve managed to survive decades of changing tastes without losing that core, creepy DNA that Charles Addams first sketched out in The New Yorker back in the 30s.
It’s weird. We should probably be repulsed by a family that finds joy in torture and literal graveyards. Instead, we’re jealous. They’re actually the most functional family in cinema history. Gomez and Morticia are obsessed with each other. The kids are encouraged to be exactly who they are. No judgment. No "fitting in." Just vibes and occasional explosives.
The 90s Peak: Why the Addams Family Movies Still Rule
If you mention the Addams Family movies to anyone born before 2005, they’re immediately going to picture Anjelica Huston’s cheekbones and Raul Julia’s infectious energy. The 1991 film and its 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values, are basically the gold standard.
Barry Sonnenfeld—who was actually a cinematographer for the Coen Brothers before this—brought a specific visual wit that nobody has quite matched since. He understood that the joke isn't that the Addams are "evil." The joke is that they think everyone else is normal, and everyone else is actually miserable.
Think about the first film. The plot is basically a heist movie. Christopher Lloyd—who is unrecognizable as Fester, seriously—is being used by a loan shark to get into the Addams vault. It’s a bit messy in terms of pacing, sure. But the chemistry? Unmatched. Raul Julia played Gomez with this Shakespearean intensity that made you believe every word. When he’s depressed because his brother is missing, you feel it. When he’s fencing in the hallways, you want to join in.
Then you have Addams Family Values. Honestly, sequels usually suck, but this one might be better than the original. The Camp Chippewa subplot is a masterpiece of satire. Watching Christina Ricci’s Wednesday Addams—the definitive version of the character, don't @ me—dismantle a tone-deaf Thanksgiving play from the inside is some of the best writing in 90s comedy. It perfectly captured that feeling of being the "weird kid" forced to participate in performative joy. It’s relatable. It’s sharp. It’s iconic.
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The Animated Era and the Wednesday Shift
Eventually, the live-action stuff stalled. After the tragic passing of Raul Julia, a direct sequel was off the table. We got Addams Family Reunion in 1998, which… well, the less said about that, the better. Tim Curry did his best, but the production value just wasn't there. It felt like a theme park version of the real thing.
Fast forward to 2019. We got the animated Addams Family movies. These were polarizing.
Some purists hated the character designs, but they were actually way more faithful to Charles Addams' original cartoons. Gomez was squat and pug-like. Morticia was more ethereal and less "glamorous goth." These movies, featuring voices like Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron, leaned heavily into the "clash of cultures" trope. They were clearly aimed at a younger demographic, focusing on themes of social media and suburban conformity. They’re fine. They’re cute. But do they have the soul of the 90s films? Probably not.
But then, the pivot happened.
The massive success of the Wednesday series on Netflix changed the trajectory again. Even though it’s a show, it functions like a long-form Addams Family movie. It shifted the focus from the family unit to a "dark academia" mystery. It’s interesting to see how the brand evolves. We went from a sitcom about a quirky family to a 90s blockbuster about domestic bliss, to an animated kids' flick, and now to a Gen Z detective thriller.
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The Practical Magic of the Production
What people often forget about the Addams Family movies is how difficult they were to make. The 1991 film was a nightmare. Orion Pictures was going bankrupt during filming. The production was sold to Paramount midway through. The director, Sonnenfeld, reportedly fainted on set due to stress.
And the costumes? Anjelica Huston had to wear a metal corset to get that impossibly thin Morticia waist. She couldn't even lie down during breaks; she had to lean against a "slant board." Her eyes were tilted upward using spirit gum and silk thread pulled back into her hair. It was literal torture for the sake of the aesthetic.
That’s why those movies look so much better than the CGI-heavy stuff we see now. You can feel the weight of the house. You can see the dust. It feels lived-in and tangible.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Why do we still care about the Addams Family movies in 2026?
It’s the radical acceptance. In a world that feels increasingly polarized and judgmental, the Addams family represents a weird kind of utopia. They don’t care if you’re "normal." They don’t care about your status. They care about passion, loyalty, and being true to your own internal darkness.
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There’s a specific scene in Addams Family Values where Morticia is talking to a nanny who is terrified of the baby. Morticia just calmly says, "Be afraid. Be very afraid." It’s not a threat. It’s an acknowledgement of the world's nature. There’s a strange honesty in that.
Navigating the Addams Catalog
If you're looking to dive back in, don't just watch whatever is on the front page of a streaming app. There's a hierarchy here.
- The 1991/1993 Duo: Essential viewing. If you haven't seen these, you haven't seen the Addams Family. The production design alone is worth the price of admission.
- The Original 60s Series: It’s campy and black-and-white, but the chemistry between John Astin and Carolyn Jones is the foundation of everything that came after.
- The Animated Films (2019/2021): Good for a family movie night with younger kids who might find the live-action stuff a bit too "slow" or intense.
- Wednesday (The Series): Great if you want a modern spin, but be prepared for it to feel more like Harry Potter or Riverdale than a traditional Addams story.
One major tip: look for the "More Actively Addams" cut of the first movie if you can find it. It restores some of the rhythmic pacing that was trimmed for theatrical release.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Rewatch
If you’re planning a marathon, do it right. Don't just sit on the couch.
- Check the Aspect Ratio: The 90s films were shot in 1.85:1. Make sure your TV isn't "stretching" the image to fill the screen, or you'll lose the intentional framing of the Addams mansion.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: In the 1991 film, look at the books in the library. Many of the titles are jokes or references to Charles Addams' original comic captions.
- Audio Matters: The score by Marc Shaiman is incredible. He uses a lot of unique orchestral textures to create that "kooky" vibe. If you have a decent sound system or good headphones, use them.
- Contextualize the Satire: When you watch the Thanksgiving scene in the sequel, remember it was filmed in the early 90s. It was incredibly bold for a "family movie" to take such a sharp jab at the colonial narrative of American history.
The Addams Family movies aren't just about monsters and gags. They’re a celebration of the "other." They remind us that being different isn't a burden—it’s a superpower. As long as we feel like misfits, we’re going to need the Addams family to remind us that the most important thing is staying true to our own weird selves.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts
To get the most out of your next viewing, start with Addams Family Values rather than the first one. It’s a rare case where the sequel provides a much faster entry point into the family's dynamic and sharpens the humor significantly. After that, track down the original New Yorker cartoons by Charles Addams. Seeing the single-panel jokes that inspired the entire franchise gives you a whole new appreciation for the "dark" humor that has persisted for nearly a century. If you’re a fan of the 90s aesthetic, look into the works of production designer Ken Adam, who influenced the look of the Addams’ world—his influence on 20th-century cinema is massive and often overlooked.