Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: Big Business is the kind of movie that exists on Disney+ as filler content from their back catalog. It's perfectly safe, totally clean, and completely forgettable.

The premise—two sets of identical twins switched at birth, one pair rich and one poor, who finally meet in adulthood—has potential. But this 1988 comedy moves at the speed of molasses and relies on physical comedy that feels stale even by the standards of its era. The 52% critic score isn't a fluke.

If you're desperate for something truly G-rated that won't traumatize anyone, sure, throw it on. But don't expect your kids to actually watch it—they'll be on their devices within 15 minutes. Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin are doing their best, but even their talent can't save a script this thin.

The WISE score reflects reality: it's wholesome and safe, but low on imagination and enrichment, and gets a significant watchability penalty because most modern viewers—kids especially—will find this painfully dated and dull. There are so many better options on Disney+ that actually hold up.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 11+, which feels right for content, but honestly, most kids under 14 will find this excruciatingly boring. This is more for nostalgic parents who remember the '80s fondly—or masochistically.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Classic mistaken-identity comedy with Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin playing dual roles. The premise of switched-at-birth twins is lighthearted, and the humor relies on physical comedy and misunderstandings rather than cruelty. Models some cooperation as characters navigate confusion, though the corporate vs. small-town conflict adds mild tension. Tone is generally warm and family-friendly, appropriate for Common Sense Media's age 11 rating.

Imaginative

58

The twin-swap premise offers some creative potential and mistaken-identity scenarios provide situational comedy, but this is a fairly formulaic 1980s comedy that doesn't break new ground. It's more execution of a well-worn concept than genuine originality. Doesn't inspire creative expression or exploration—it's passive entertainment that relies on physical comedy and coincidence rather than inviting viewers to think differently.

Safe

82

Very safe for family viewing with no violence, gore, sexual content, or significant scary moments. The PG-era comedy stays clean and predictable. Some mild corporate scheming and business conflict, but nothing traumatic or triggering. The only caution is that some 1980s humor may feel dated or occasionally insensitive by 2025 standards, but nothing egregious for the era.

Enriching

48

Limited enrichment value—this is pure entertainment without much depth. There's a mild theme about corporate greed vs. small-town values and some light commentary on nature vs. nurture (twins raised in different environments), but it's not explored meaningfully. The comedy is situational rather than character-driven growth. Entertaining enough for its time but doesn't offer much in terms of skill-building, empathy development, or meaningful takeaways beyond 'mix-ups are funny.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely safe, clean comedy with zero content concerns—perfect if you need something genuinely G-rated
Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin are talented performers doing their best with the material
The mistaken-identity premise offers some amusing moments of physical comedy and confusion
Touches on themes of nature vs. nurture and corporate vs. community values, even if superficially

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a 1988 comedy, and it shows—the pacing is glacial by today's standards and most kids will be checking their phones
Some 1980s-era humor and stereotypes that may feel cringey or dated (business culture, gender roles, small-town vs. city tropes)
The 52% critic score and 3.2/5 Letterboxd rating tell the real story: this is mediocre even for its time

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the twins who grew up in different families turned out so differently?"
"What would you do if you met someone who looked exactly like you?"
"Do you think it matters more where you grow up or who your family is?"

Deep Dive

The Parent Trap for the corporate set

If your kids have seen any version of The Parent Trap, they already know the DNA of this movie. The "identical twins separated at birth" trope is a cinematic staple, but Big Business swaps out the summer camp pranks for hostile takeovers and Manhattan hotel suite confusion. It’s a farce in the most traditional sense—lots of doors opening and closing, people narrowly missing each other in hallways, and mistaken identities that could be solved with one five-minute conversation.

The hook here is that you get two of the 1980s' biggest powerhouses, Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin, playing two characters each. Midler is essentially playing a version of her First Wives Club persona—bold, loud, and demanding—while Tomlin plays the more grounded, slightly neurotic counterparts. If your kids are used to the fast-paced, snarky dialogue of modern Disney Channel or Nickelodeon shows, the humor here will feel vintage. It’s not about quick-fire quips; it’s about the slow-motion car crash of four people in the same building who don't realize they are clones of each other.

The 1980s pacing problem

We have to talk about the speed. Modern comedies are edited within an inch of their lives to keep you from looking at your phone. Big Business hails from an era where a scene of a woman trying to hail a cab could last two full minutes. For a movie about a high-stakes business merger, it moves with the urgency of a Sunday brunch.

You’ll notice the "split-screen" technology of 1988 is doing a lot of heavy lifting. For the time, seeing two Bette Midlers on screen together was a technical marvel. Today, your kids will probably point out exactly where the "seam" is in the middle of the frame. It’s a fun bit of film history to discuss, but it adds to the general feeling that the movie is a museum piece rather than a living comedy.

A "background" movie for the family

This isn't the film you clear your Saturday night for. It’s the film you put on while the family is collectively folding laundry or building a massive LEGO set. Because the stakes are so low and the content is so sanitized, you don't actually have to pay attention to every second of the plot to know exactly where it’s going.

The conflict between the "big city" twins and the "small town" twins is predictable, and the resolution is wrapped up with a very tidy, very 80s bow. There’s a certain comfort in that predictability. If you’re looking for a way to introduce your kids to the legends of that era without worrying about the "edgy" humor that usually sneaks into 80s PG-13 flicks, this is the safest bet in the Disney+ vault. Just don't be surprised if the kids end up more interested in the giant shoulder pads and the size of the car phones than the actual plot.

Stills