The Borrowers

Right now you can watch The Borrowers in the US on Amazon Prime Video, and in the UK on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. John Goodman is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Amazon Prime Video.

There is a reason The Borrowers keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Borrowers from the crowd. The four-inch-tall Clock family secretly share a house with the normal-sized Lender family, "borrowing" such items as thread, safety pins, batteries and scraps of food. However, their peaceful co-existence is disturbed when evil lawyer Ocious P. Potter steals the will granting title to the house, which he plans to demolish in order to build apartments. John Goodman and Mark Williams lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1997. What keeps The Borrowers from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in The Borrowers. 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. John Goodman 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.