Encino Man

Encino Man has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available on Disney Plus and Hollywood Suite. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 711 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Sean Astin sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Encino Man arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Encino Man gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. High school misfits Stoney and Dave discover a long-frozen primeval man buried in their backyard. But the thawed-out Link—as the boys have named him—quickly becomes a wild card in the teens' already zany Southern California lives. After a shave and some new clothes, Link's presence at school makes the daily drudgery a lot more interesting. Sean Astin and Brendan Fraser lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1992. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Encino Man holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Encino Man respects your intelligence. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Sean Astin sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.