10 reasons we still love watching Mrs. Doubtfire, 25 years later

Mrs. Doubtfire is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We reflect on why we are still watching this movie (and loving it).

We can’t believe we are about to say this, but Mrs. Doubtfire is 25 years old. The movie, which starred Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan, was equal parts funny and emotional. There were moments where we couldn’t help but laugh, and others where it was easy to tear up, ready for a good cry.

Basically, it was an all-around great movie with heart and humor. And to this day, it is still one of our favorite films. When it comes on TV, we have to stop and watch as Williams is transformed into the titular Mrs. Doubtfire and changes his life and that of his children.

But what is it that makes us love this movie? Well, plenty of reasons. And these 10 reasons are at the top of our list.

Robin Williams

It probably goes without saying but one of the main reasons to love Mrs. Doubtfire is Robin Williams. His quirky sense of comedy, ability to bring just as much heart and emotion as humor, and his overall sense of fun make this film a perfect representation of the type of actor he was.

Whether he is in character as an older English woman or playing a divorced father trying to get his life back together in order to spend time with his children, it is clear that Williams made this part his own. You can’t think of Mrs. Doubtfire without instantly picturing the actor in all of his glory.

Pierce Brosnan’s Stu

Stu was the guy we weren’t supposed to like. He was literally the man who dashed all of our hopes of an emotional family reunion. But, there was something about Stu that was endearing. He clearly adored the kids and genuinely liked Miranda. Plus, the way he was with Mrs. Doubtfire (even if she wasn’t his biggest fan), made us love him even more.

Stu was never the bad guy, even if we may have wanted him to be. And every time we watch the movie now, we have to give him credit for really being a good guy.

The Voice Impersonations

If you have ever seen Robin Williams do stand up, then you know he was a master of impersonations. And not only does he put this skill to great use as the titular character, but throughout the movie, we get to see his skills at voice work.

From an offbeat portrayal of Barbara Streisand, to his actual job in the film (voice work), Williams showcased his ability to impersonate different characters and people to perfection. It was so natural that it just worked.

The Mrs. Doubtfire Transformation

The transformation scene to turn Robin Williams into Mrs. Doubtfire is one of the best scenes in the movie. It was hysterical and fun, and honestly realistic. We could totally see a makeup artist working on the actor and trying to figure out to turn him into the perfect nanny.

Plus, how else were we going to believe that he could pull off the look of an older nanny without seeing the process to get there? We believed it because we saw it happen. And considering the look took plaster and fake teeth, we loved everything about this scene.

The Real Emotions

For as funny as this movie is, it was also very emotional. And we loved the fact that we got to see the love between a father and his children. The fact is that the actors did their job and made us believe that this was a family dealing with divorce.

We believed that Williams’ character was surprised by the divorce and had no real clue what happened. And we believe that these children are devastated by the loss of their family stability. But that’s not all, we also love watching all of these characters grow to the point they can be a happily functioning divorced family. The love and emotion make the humor that much better.

Mrs. Doubtfire’s Sass

Can we just talk about how sassy Mrs. Doubtfire was? No other character could pull off the level of snark that Mrs. Doubtfire did, especially during the pull scene when Stu is about to dive into the pool and she bends down to tell the youngest child that is what you call liposuction (in regards to the trim and toned body on display).

Robin Williams gave us the sassy grandma of our dreams. And the fact he was able to do it with the voice of a sweet, older English woman made it that much better.

The Background Music

There is no doubt that the background music was perfection in the movie. When else are you going to hear a song like “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” and have it fit so perfectly. And honestly, we loved every single song, including that Streisand impersonation we mentioned before. Again this is a case of things just working perfectly within the context of the movie.

The Sit Down Scene With Miranda

There is one scene in which Miranda and Mrs. Doubtfire sit down to talk and the two get on the topic of the divorce. And while we know who Mrs. Doubtfire really is, Miranda does not. So listening to her explain what went wrong between herself and her ex is heartbreaking. And you can see in his eyes (even hidden behind the Doubtfire glasses) that what she is telling him is making an impression. There were legitimate reasons for the divorce and it takes pretending to be an outsider for him to see where he went wrong.

The Big Reveal Scene

The big reveal scene at the end of the movie is a train wreck, but so worth watching. It was bound to happen eventually and yet watching as it all fell apart and Mrs. Doubtfire’s real identity was revealed was simply a mess.

It was a scene that was a humorous disaster and pure destruction all in one fell swoop. If you didn’t laugh, cringe, and even get a bit emotional, then what movie were you watching?

The Heartwarming Ending

Even with things falling apart towards the end, there was still a heartwarming message that wrapped things up and we loved that. It meant that even with everything that happened, there is still hope. And not just that, but it was a reminder for all of us that love is so very important to all of us and it is a tie that helps bring us together and make us a family.

There are plenty of reasons to love Mrs. Doubtfire. It is a movie that has stood the test of time in so many ways. The humor is still relevant, the emotion continues to hit home, and it is a story that stands up to the passage of time. It is truly comedic perfection, just as it is a well-crafted drama.

Share your favorite Mrs. Doubtfire memories with us in the comments!