Clue

Movie guide

Clue (1985)

  • Comedy
  • Crime
  • Mystery
7.2/10 Drama4U Score · from 2,096 TMDB votes · How the score works

Clue (1985) guide: spoiler-free plot summary, Tim Curry and the full cast, US release date, audience reviews and where to rent or buy the comedy whodunit.

Clue (1985) Plot Summary: A Spoiler-Free Synopsis

A group of strangers arrives at a remote old mansion for a dinner party, each invited for reasons they don’t fully understand. Rather than using their real names, the guests are given aliases borrowed from a famous board game: Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlet. Wadsworth, the exceptionally talkative butler, keeps the evening running, while the maid Yvette attends to the guests.

It soon emerges that the guests have something in common. Each of them is being blackmailed, and the mysterious Mr. Boddy is connected to that secret. Then a murder takes place under the mansion’s roof, and it becomes clear that the killer must be someone in the house.

With a collection of potential murder weapons, secret passageways and an increasingly frantic group of suspects, the guests and Wadsworth race from room to room to work out who did it before anyone else is hurt. The result is a fast-paced, deliberately silly comedy whodunit that turns a family board game into a full-blown murder mystery.

Clue — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes Clue Notable: Cast, Director and Review Highlights

An ensemble comedy cast. Tim Curry leads as Wadsworth the butler. He is joined by Eileen Brennan (Mrs. Peacock), Madeline Kahn (Mrs. White), Christopher Lloyd (Professor Plum), Michael McKean (Mr. Green), Martin Mull (Colonel Mustard) and Lesley Ann Warren (Miss Scarlet). Colleen Camp plays the maid Yvette, Lee Ving is Mr. Boddy and Bill Henderson appears as a cop.

Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn. Lynn handled both the screenplay and the direction, shaping the film’s rapid-fire comic tone.

Based on a board game. Clue is an American production from Paramount Pictures, Debra Hill Productions, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and The Guber-Peters Company. It adapts the classic detective board game into a comedy, crime and mystery hybrid. The film is also known for its multiple endings, an unusual and audacious choice for a mainstream whodunit. Its tagline sets the tone: “It’s not just a game anymore.”

Audience reception. On TMDB, Clue holds an average audience rating of 7.2/10 from more than 2,000 votes. The film runs 94 minutes and features dialogue in English and French.

Who Will Enjoy Clue?

  • Fans of classic murder mysteries and whodunits who enjoy guessing the culprit
  • Viewers who like ensemble comedies with quick dialogue and farce
  • Anyone who grew up playing the board game and wants to see the characters come to life
  • Those who enjoy mansion settings, secret passageways and old-house atmosphere
  • Fans of Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn or Christopher Lloyd

Clue Release Date and Where to Watch

Clue was released in US cinemas on 13 December 1985 with a PG rating.

In the US, the film is currently available to rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home and Plex. It is also available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is not currently listed on a subscription streaming service in the US. Availability can change, so check your preferred platform before watching. A trailer is available.

Trailer

Cast

  • Tim CurryTim Curryas WadsworthSee credits →
  • Eileen BrennanEileen Brennanas Mrs. PeacockSee credits →
  • Madeline KahnMadeline Kahnas Mrs. WhiteSee credits →
  • Christopher LloydChristopher Lloydas Professor Plum
  • Michael McKeanMichael McKeanas Mr. Green
  • Martin MullMartin Mullas Colonel Mustard
  • Lesley Ann WarrenLesley Ann Warrenas Miss Scarlet
  • Colleen CampColleen Campas YvetteSee credits →

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Clue released?
Clue was released in US cinemas on 13 December 1985, rated PG.
Where can I watch Clue (1985)?
In the US, Clue is available to rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home and Plex. You can buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home.
Who is in the cast of Clue?
The cast includes Tim Curry as Wadsworth, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, Colleen Camp, Lee Ving and Bill Henderson.
How long is Clue?
Clue has a runtime of 94 minutes.
Is Clue well reviewed by audiences?
On TMDB, Clue has an average audience rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on more than 2,000 votes.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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