In a surprising twist, the Flintstone family has rolled their stone-age wagons into the eighth spot on Netflix US, bringing Bedrock to the forefront of modern living rooms.
Released on May 27th, 1994, the family-friendly comedy The Flintstones, based on the beloved prehistoric cartoon, has become a suburban comedy favourite on the streaming platform that regularly pushes old nostalgic flicks to the front.
Directed by Brian Levant, The Flintstones brings the animated classic to life with a Bedrock that’s more Jurassic suburbia than ancient history. John Goodman takes the lead as the ever-enthusiastic Fred Flintstone, working at the Slate Rock and Gravel Company alongside his trusty sidekick, Barney Rubble, played by Rick Moranis.
Elizabeth Perkins took on the role of Wilma Flintstone, while Rosie O’Donnell brought Betty Rubble to life. Kyle MacLachlan played the conniving executive vice president, Cliff Vandercave, at Fred’s workplace. Halle Berry sizzled on-screen as Sharon Stone, Fred’s secretary, and the legendary Elizabeth Taylor made her final theatrical film appearance in this film as Pearl Slaghoople, Wilma’s mother.
Adding to the film’s charm, the B-52s lend their musical talents with a rendition of the cartoon’s theme song, portraying themselves as the BC-52s.
The plot of the film follows the everyday antics of the Flintstone family, blending stone-age charm with contemporary humour. From foot-powered cars to ancient gadgets, the film delivers a healthy dose of laughter while exploring the dynamic of a typical suburban family—albeit one with a prehistoric twist. The Flintstones struck a chord with audiences, setting the stage for the 2000 prequel, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.
Critics may have given it largely negative reviews upon release for its gendered humour and dated tropes, but The Flintstones turned Bedrock into box office gold, raking in almost $342 million worldwide against a $46million budget. Despite the tepid critical reception, John Goodman’s energetic performance won over everyone.
You can watch The Flintstones on Netflix.
