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Up the Creek

  • 1984
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
Tim Matheson, Jennifer Runyon, Stephen Furst, and Dan Monahan in Up the Creek (1984)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
75 Photos
Comedy

Bob McGraw is in his 12th year of college, goofing his way through life, until he has to win a river rafting race with three college buddies.Bob McGraw is in his 12th year of college, goofing his way through life, until he has to win a river rafting race with three college buddies.Bob McGraw is in his 12th year of college, goofing his way through life, until he has to win a river rafting race with three college buddies.

  • Director
    • Robert Butler
  • Writers
    • Jim Kouf
    • Jeff Sherman
    • Douglas Grossman
  • Stars
    • Tim Matheson
    • Jennifer Runyon
    • Stephen Furst
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    4.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writers
      • Jim Kouf
      • Jeff Sherman
      • Douglas Grossman
    • Stars
      • Tim Matheson
      • Jennifer Runyon
      • Stephen Furst
    • 43User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    Official Trailer

    Photos75

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    + 68
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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Tim Matheson
    Tim Matheson
    • Bob McGraw
    Jennifer Runyon
    Jennifer Runyon
    • Heather Merriweather
    Stephen Furst
    Stephen Furst
    • Gonzer
    Dan Monahan
    Dan Monahan
    • Max
    Sandy Helberg
    Sandy Helberg
    • Irwin
    Jeff East
    Jeff East
    • Rex Crandall
    Blaine Novak
    Blaine Novak
    • Capt. Braverman
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • Tozer
    • (as James B. Sikking)
    John Hillerman
    John Hillerman
    • Dean Burch
    Mark Andrews
    • Rocky
    Will Bledsoe
    • Roger van Dyke
    Grant Wilson
    Grant Wilson
    • Reggie
    Julia Montgomery
    Julia Montgomery
    • Lisa
    • (as Julie Montgomery)
    Jeana Keough
    Jeana Keough
    • Molly
    • (as Jeana Tomasina)
    Romy Walthall
    Romy Walthall
    • Corky
    • (as Romy Windsor)
    Tom Nolan
    Tom Nolan
    • Whitney
    Jason Court
    • Powers
    Jesse D. Goins
    Jesse D. Goins
    • Brown
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writers
      • Jim Kouf
      • Jeff Sherman
      • Douglas Grossman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews43

    5.54.2K
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    Featured reviews

    Ironman-7

    Ahhh...College...Sex, Alcohol, and White water River rafting?!?

    I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Yes, it's campy. Yes, it's full of sexual references, and other such content. That's what makes this movie great. The movie is Juvenile, and downright 'bad' at times...but that's what makes this movie THE best movie to show at College campus movie nights, which is where I saw it the first time. Then I went out and bought my own copy. I LOVE IT!!!!!!
    8deheor

    Seek this out

    Sometimes the planets align and everything just comes together. Some likable but underused actors join up with a veteran (and really really old) director to film a script written by the author of some minor league films. This is the sort of recipe that more often than not ends up with a mediocre movie that is instantly forgettable but for whatever reasons They ended up producing one of the funniest teen comedies ever made.

    A group of loser college students played by an all star collection of teen sex comedy stars including Tim Matheson and Stephen Furst from Animal House, Dan Monahan from Porky's and Sandy Helberg from History of the World Part 1 who,having their arms twisted by a corrupt Dean played by John Hillerman, agree to enter a dangerous raft race with the promise that victory will bring them un-earned degrees.

    Excessive drinking, fart jokes and gratuitous nudity are just some of the pleasures that this movie provides for the viewer. It also features the smartest dog in the world (he does charades), a kick ass song by Cheap Trick and the gorgeous Jennifer Runyon (ghostbusters & Charles in charge, I don't know which credit is more impressive) along with some great race footage and hilarious dialog. This movie is simply much better than it has the right to be.

    All the people who complain that it is stupid miss the point. Of course it is stupid. Its moronic. Its dumb as dirt. It is also hysterically funny from start to finish. This movie reminds me in many ways of Weekend at Bernies another incredibly goofy movie that if approached in the wrong mood is virtually unwatchable. To avoid injury try not to think. Just sit back and let this movie wash over you.
    Coxer99

    Up the Creek

    Sophomoric humor taken to the limit by Animal House alums Matheson and Furst as college misfits on a white water rafting race in the hope of bringing glory to their mediocre university. Slapstick gags, goofy all around...but good fun.
    8teddymills-1

    Best weekend movie you could watch

    Save this one for a Saturday or Sunday, you have snacks and beverages and friends nearby.

    One of the best 80s colleges/sport movies. You wont learn a lot, but you 'll have a lot of fun.

    If you lived in the 80's this movie will take you back to that era. When the cold beer flowed freely, and pretty girls were all around. Sunshine, water, laughing, and all the college years.

    Tim Matheson would make an excellent James Bond. He has all the charisma that the Bond role requires.

    Go Lepetomane!
    6FunnyMann

    ...without a paddle

    Is this flick good? Jesus, no. Is this flick funny? Somehow, yes.

    "Up the Creek" has not aged well (what a shocker), but it's a perfect example of the pointless, disposable comedies they made in the early- to mid-80s. You know, the kind of film that aspired to reach the heights of, say, "Porky's."

    Actually, "Up The Creek" has a pretty solid comic pedigree, at least as solid as you can get in a film like this. Two "Animal House" vets, a "Porky's" refugee, and -- I can't believe I know this -- the chick from "Charles in Charge."

    Every scene, every joke, every character here is dumb. And thank God. Another review mentioned that this is a good drinking film. Actually, I think "Up The Creek" was made specifically FOR drunk people. (And possibly by drunk people.) But that's OK. It's all good. I mean, the film's not good, but then again, it is. Ah, forget it. Just grab a case, a beer bong, and watch the damn thing.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Keaton was originally approached to play Bob McGraw. The role later was cast with actor Steve Guttenberg, who over the course of a weekend, instead decided to sign onto Police Academy (1984), leaving the production without a lead actor. In the end, the lead male part was cast with actor Tim Matheson from National Lampoon's Animal House (1978).
    • Quotes

      Heather Merriweather: You wouldn't lie to me?

      Bob McGraw: Of course I would lie to you, I'm a guy. But I'm not lying now.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'Up the Creek' (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Up the Creek
      Performed by Cheap Trick

      Written by Randy Bishop & Rick Nielsen

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Up the Creek?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Río de locura
    • Filming locations
      • Bend, Oregon, USA(and environs)
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,708,269
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,210,882
      • Apr 8, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,708,269
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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