Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 1,334 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Matthew Broderick is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Inspector Gadget is worth clearing space for. Inspector Gadget does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. John Brown is a bumbling but well-intentioned security guard who is badly injured in an explosion planned by an evil mastermind. He is taken to a laboratory, where Brenda, a leading robotics surgeon, replaces his damaged limbs with state-of-the-art gadgets and tools. Named "Inspector Gadget" by the press, John -- along with his niece, Penny, and her trusty dog, Brain -- uses his new powers to discover who was behind the explosion. Matthew Broderick and Rupert Everett lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1999. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Inspector Gadget holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Inspector Gadget is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. 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. Matthew Broderick is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.