Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (franchise)
{{Short description|American media franchise}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| title = Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
| image = Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (logo).png
| caption = Franchise logo
| creator = {{Plainlist|
}}
| origin = Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
| owner = The Walt Disney Company
| films = {{Plainlist|
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
- Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)
}}
| direct-to-video = Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)
| tv_series = Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997–2000)
| attractions = {{Plainlist|
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure (1990–2016)
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (1994–2010)
}}
}}
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is an American science fiction comedy media franchise, based on a concept created by Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, and an original story co-written by Gordon, Yuzna, and Ed Naha. The franchise focuses around the Szalinski family, particularly the father, Wayne Szalinski, who is a struggling inventor whose inventions unintentionally cause trouble and mishaps.
The first installment, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), and its subsequent financial and critical success, led to two sequels and a television series; Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997), and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997–2000), respectively. A fourth film titled Shrunk entered production in 2019 and is currently in development hell.
This continued in 1999 when the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids films, along with a number of other Disney film series, were combined into a franchise as a part of Disney Parks' attractions where elements from each movie were included.
Film
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:16%;"| Title ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"| U.S. release date ! style="text-align:center;"| Director ! style="text-align:center;"| Screenwriters ! style="text-align:center;"| Story by ! style="text-align:center;"| Producer(s) ! style="text-align:center;"| Status |
| scope="row"| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
| {{start date|1989|06|23 |
|---|
| Ed Naha
and Tom Schulman
| Stuart Gordon, Brian Yuzna & Ed Naha
| Penney Finkelman Cox
| rowspan="3"| Released
|-
! scope="row"| Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
| {{start date|1992|07|17|}}
| Thom Eberhardt, Peter Elbling and Garry Goodrow
| Garry Goodrow
| Dawn Steel and Edward S. Feldman
|-
! scope="row"| Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
| {{start date|1997|03|18|}}
| colspan="2"| Karey Kirkpatrick, Nell Scovell and Joel Hodgson
| Barry Bernardi
|}
=''Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'' (1989)=
{{main article|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids}}
Rick Moranis stars as Wayne Szalinski, an eccentric inventor who accidentally shrinks his kids, Amy (Amy O'Neill) and Nick (Robert Oliveri) as well as the next-door neighbor's sons, Russ Jr. (Thomas Wilson Brown) and Ron Thompson (Jared Rushton). Marcia Strassman portrays his wife, Diane, to whom he delivers the titular line. Matt Frewer and Kristine Sutherland also star as Russ and Mae Thompson, Russ Jr. and Ron's parents.
=''Honey, I Blew Up the Kid'' (1992)=
{{main article|Honey, I Blew Up the Kid}}
Three years after the events of the first film, the Szalinskis have moved to a new neighborhood and given birth to their third child, Adam (Joshua and Daniel Shalikar). Nick is now a teenager and Amy is heading off to college. Wayne has given up his shrink ray days and invented an alternative which makes objects grow in size. One day when Adam is exposed to its effects, he mistakes Nick and his crush, Mandy Park (Keri Russell), as toys and wanders into Las Vegas. While Wayne and Diane race to reverse his effects, Wayne's insolent coworker, Dr. Charles Hendrickson (John Shea), has overpowered Sterling Labs, rounded up the military, and ordered Adam to be stopped at all costs.
=''Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves'' (1997)=
{{main article|Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves}}
Wayne is now banned from using his shrink ray by the committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nick is now away at college and Adam (Bug Hall) is ten years old. Diane (Eve Gordon) is planning a vacation with her sister-in-law, Patti (Robin Bartlett), while Wayne and his brother, Gordon (Stuart Pankin), watch Adam and his cousins, Jenny and Mitch (Allison Mack and Jake Richardson). While tampering with the shrink ray, Wayne accidentally shrinks himself, Diane, Gordon, and Patti. The kids have a party in the house after thinking they have it to themselves. The adults struggle to get their attention before disaster strikes among them.
=Future=
In February 2018, a reboot film was in development, with the project being courted for a Disney+ exclusive.{{Cite web |date = 21 February 2018 |author=Lesley Goldberg |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/disney-planning-muppets-reboot-streaming-service-1086800 |title = Disney Planning Another 'Muppets' Reboot for its Streaming Service (Exclusive) |website = The Hollywood Reporter }} By March 2019, this changed when the project was announced to be a legacy sequel to the original trilogy. With The Walt Disney Studios developing the film for theatrical release, Josh Gad was announced to star as Nick Szalinski. The plot will reportedly center around Nick following in Wayne's footsteps and becoming a scientist and inventor. In the film, he accidentally shrinks his son and two daughters to five inches tall, leaving them to cope with their new sizes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot/ |title=Honey I Shrunk the Kids Reboot in the Works at Disney|date=13 May 2019}} By December, Joe Johnston had entered early negotiations to return to the franchise as director.{{Cite web |date=5 December 2019 |author=Peter Sciretta |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot-josh-gad-joe-johnston-1203425344/ |title='Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' Director in Talks to Return for Reboot Starring Josh Gad (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Slashfilm }}
In January 2020, Rick Moranis entered early negotiations to come out of his acting retirement, and reprise his role as Wayne Szalinski. Johnston was confirmed to direct, with Todd Rosenberg set to write the script, from an original story by Gad, Ryan Dixon, Ian Helfer, and Jay Reiss. By February, Moranis had officially signed onto the project to reprise his role. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will serve as producers. The film will be a joint-venture production between Walt Disney Pictures and Mandeville Films, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as the distributing company.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot-rick-moranis-1202858344/|title=Rick Moranis Closes Deal to Return to 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' Franchise with 'Shrunk' at Disney|date=12 February 2020}} Principal photography was scheduled to begin in early 2020, with filming taking place in Toronto, as well as Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web|url=https://thedisinsider.com/2020/02/03/exclusive-disney-may-bring-rick-moranis-out-of-retirement-for-honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot-shrunk/|title = Exclusive: Disney May Bring Rick Moranis Out of Retirement for 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' Reboot 'Shrunk'|date = 3 February 2020}}{{Better source needed|reason=WP:FANSITE|date=November 2022}} In March of the same year, filming on all Disney projects were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and industry restrictions worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/disney-pausing-production-movies-little-mermaid-home-alone-nightmare-alley-coronavirus-1202882556/ |title=Disney Pausing Production On Features 'Little Mermaid', 'Home Alone', 'Nightmare Alley' & More Until Coronavirus Calms Down |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2020-03-13 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2020-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313191113/https://deadline.com/2020/03/disney-pausing-production-movies-little-mermaid-home-alone-nightmare-alley-coronavirus-1202882556/ |archive-date=2020-03-13 |url-status=live }} In November, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that filming on all movies that had been postponed by the coronavirus had resumed.{{cite web |date=November 13, 2020 |last=Jones |first=Mike |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-movies-filming-delayed-update-bob-chapek/ |work=Screen Rant|title=Disney Confirms ALL Movies Shut Down For COVID Have Restarted Or Completed Filming |access-date=November 13, 2022 }} In June 2021, Gad stated that filming had not yet started and that he was hoping the shoot would begin in early 2022.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Josh Gad on 'Central Park' Season 2, the 'Beauty and the Beast' Prequel Series, and the Status of 'Shrunk' |url=https://collider.com/josh-gad-interview-central-park-season-2-shrunk-beauty-and-the-beast-prequel-series/ |website=Collider |access-date=2021-08-04 }} In January 2022, Gad stated that he and Moranis had once again started collaborating in preparation for the sequel.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/movies/josh-gad-teases-production-on-honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-sequel-with-photo-of-rick-moranis/ |work=People Magazine |title=Josh Gad Teases Production on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Sequel with Photo of Rick Moranis |last=Dado |first=Natasha |date=January 24, 2022 |access-date=April 6, 2022 }} In June 2023, Gad revealed on Twitter that the project has been put on hold indefinitely, although he expressed hope that production would resume in the future.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/movies/josh-gad-provides-update-honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot/|title=Josh Gad has some bad news about the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids reboot|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 27, 2023|first=Emlyn|last=Travis|access-date=February 18, 2024}}
In March 2025, it was announced that Disney was moving away from long-form streaming content for Disney+, leaving the future of Shrunk uncertain.https://kidscreen.com/2025/03/04/disney-animation-moves-away-from-long-form-streaming-content/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tiana-disney-series-shelved-1236153297/
Television series
{{main article|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show}}
The television series, exclusive to Disney Channel, expanded upon the original film's concept where a shrinking experiment had gone wrong, to include a variety of experiments malfunctioning and causing unfortunate circumstances for the Szalinskis. It debuted on September 1, 1997, and ran for three consecutive seasons. It concluded after the 66th episode aired on May 20, 2000. It was a joint-production between Plymouth Productions, St. Clare Entertainment, and Walt Disney Television; while Buena Vista Television distributed the show through Disney Channel.
Theme park attractions
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:16%;"| Title ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"| U.S. ! style="text-align:center;"| Director ! style="text-align:center;"| Screenwriters ! style="text-align:center;"| Story by ! style="text-align:center;"| Producer(s) |
| scope="row"| Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
| {{start date|1994|11|21 |
|---|
| Randal Kleiser
| Bill Prady and Steve Spiegel
| Daniel Restuccio
| Thomas G. Smith
|}
=''Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!''=
{{main article|Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!}}
A 4-D movie-ride attraction titled Honey, I Shrunk the Audience debuted at Epcot in 1994 and featured at the Disney theme parks until 2010. Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman, Robert Oliveri, and Daniel and Joshua Shalikar reprise their roles from the feature-length films. While being given an award by Dr. Nigel Channing (Eric Idle) about his shrink ray, Wayne accidentally shrinks the audience and sends them on an adventure with rats, snakes, and babies.
=''Journey into Imagination with Figment''=
{{main|Journey into Imagination with Figment}}
In 1999, the theme of Journey into Imagination was changed and retitled to include Figment. It features Dr. Nigel Channing, from Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, who "hosts" an area known as the Imagination Institute. The story states that his grandfather established the institute, while the area features references to Wayne Szalinski, as well as Dr. Philip Brainard from Flubber and Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn's role in the Dexter Riley films). Walt Disney and Thomas Edison also make an appearance.
=''Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure''=
{{main|Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure}}
The attraction was a playground area at Disney's Hollywood Studios, designed to look like the outdoor backyard of the first film. It closed in 2016.
Main cast and characters
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;" |
| rowspan="3" style="width:15%;" | Character
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Films ! style="text-align:center;" | Attraction ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Television series |
|---|
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Honey, I Blew Up the Kid ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: |
| Season 1
! Season 2 ! Season 3 |
| scope="row" | Wayne Szalinski
| colspan="4" | Rick Moranis | colspan="3" | Peter Scolari |
| scope="row" | Diane Szalinski
| colspan="2" | Marcia Strassman | Marcia Strassman | colspan="3" | Barbara Alyn Woods |
| scope="row" | Amy Szalinski
| colspan="2" | Amy O'Neill | colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"| | colspan="3" | Hillary Tuck |
| scope="row" | Nick Szalinski
| colspan="2" | Robert Oliveri | {{cEmpty}} | Robert Oliveri | colspan="3" | Thomas Dekker |
| scope="row" | Quark
| colspan="2" | Sammy | style="background:lightgrey;" | | Uncredited | Matese | colspan="2" | Rusty |
| scope="row" | Adam Szalinski
| {{cEmpty}} | Daniel Shalikar | Bug Hall | Daniel Shalikar | colspan="3" {{cEmpty}} |
| Russell Thompson Sr.
| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}} |
| Mae Thompson
| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}} |
| Russell Thompson Jr.
| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}} |
| Ronald "Ron" Thompson
| colspan="7" {{cEmpty}} |
| Clifford Sterling
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="6" {{cEmpty}} |
| Mandy Park
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="6" {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Charles Hendrickson
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="6" {{cEmpty}} |
| U.S. Marshal Preston Brooks
| {{cEmpty}} | colspan="6" {{cEmpty}} |
| Gordon Szalinski
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Patti Szalinski
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Jenny Szalinski
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Mitch Szalinski
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Ricky King
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | Jojo Adams | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Trey
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | Theodore Borders | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Vince
| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}} | Bryson Aust | colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} |
| Dr. Nigel Channing
| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" {{cEmpty}} |
| Chief Jake McKenna
| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}} | colspan="4" | George Buza |
Additional crew and production details
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
! Film ! Composer ! Cinematographer ! Editor ! Production ! Distributing ! Running time |
| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
| Michael A. Stevenson | Doric Productions | rowspan="2"| Buena Vista Pictures | 93 minutes |
|---|
| Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
| rowspan="2"| Bruce Broughton | Michael A. Stevenson | Walt Disney Pictures | 89 minutes |
| Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
| C.W. Fallin | Patrick Paul Mullane | Theme Park Productions | 23 minutes |
| Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
| Ray Stella | Charles Bornstien | Walt Disney Pictures | Buena Vista Home Video | 75 minutes |
Reception
{{hatnote|For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.}}
=Box office performance=
= Critical and public response =
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Honey, I Shrunk the Kids}}
{{Disney franchises}}
Category:Walt Disney Studios (division) franchises
Category:Science fiction comedy