Is this movie related to Clifford the Big Red Dog?

Absolutely not. This is a live-action comedy about a human boy named Clifford. There are no giant dogs, only a giant-sized performance by Martin Short.

Why is a grown man playing the kid?

It was a creative choice to emphasize how 'off' and manipulative the character is. It adds a layer of surrealism that makes the comedy work for adults, though it can be weird for kids.

Is it too scary for a 7-year-old?

It’s not 'scary' like a horror movie, but the psychological tension and the uncle's aggressive reactions might be upsetting for younger children who don't understand the satirical tone.

Does Clifford ever learn his lesson?

Not really. The movie leans into the idea that he is who he is. If you're looking for a redemptive arc, you won't find a traditional one here.

Clifford – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Clifford

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1994

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Martin Short plays a sociopathic 10-year-old who terrorizes his uncle because he just really wants to go to Dinosaur World.

5.6/10

20%

67%

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Clifford

movie

PG, 1994

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Martin Short plays a sociopathic 10-year-old who terrorizes his uncle because he just really wants to go to Dinosaur World.

5.6

20%

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5.6/10

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Screenwise Verdict

If you’re looking for the Big Red Dog, keep walking. This Clifford is a dark, weird, and often hilarious relic of 1994 that stars a middle-aged Martin Short as a pint-sized demon in a wig. It’s not 'good' in the traditional sense—critics absolutely loathed it—but it has a specific, manic energy that makes it a fascinating watch for families who like their comedy with a side of psychological warfare.

It’s dated and frequently mean, but if your kids have a dark sense of humor and can handle a movie where the 'hero' is actually the villain, it’s a memorable trip to Dinosaur World. Just don't expect any heartwarming lessons about family bonding.

Age Fit

Best for kids 11 and up who can appreciate the irony and the 'cringe' comedy. Younger kids might just find Clifford's behavior stressful or scary, and they won't get the joke of a grown man playing a child.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The movie is built on a foundation of mean-spiritedness. Clifford is a manipulative sociopath in a Boy Scout uniform, and his uncle's descent into madness is played for dark, slapstick laughs. It's the opposite of modeling cooperation.

Imaginative

The surreal choice to have a 40-year-old Martin Short play a 10-year-old is undeniably creative, even if the result is deeply unsettling. It leans into a specific kind of '90s absurdity.

Safe

While physically safe (it's a PG-style comedy), the psychological dynamics are chaotic. There is slapstick violence, threats of abandonment, and a generally toxic adult-child relationship that might be confusing for younger kids.

Enriching

There are no lessons here. It’s a comedy of escalation where everyone loses. It doesn't build empathy; if anything, it makes you want to avoid children entirely.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Martin Short delivers one of the most bizarre, committed comedic performances in cinema history.
The slapstick energy is relentless, perfect for fans of '90s chaos like Home Alone or Dennis the Menace.
It has reached cult classic status among adults who find the sheer weirdness of the premise hilarious.

⚠

What to Watch For

Clifford’s behavior is genuinely predatory and manipulative, not just 'mischievous.'
The uncle’s mental breakdown includes him trying to physically harm or trick the child, which can be dark.
The visual of a grown man in a schoolboy outfit is intended to be funny but can be 'uncanny valley' creepy for some kids.

Conversation Starters

"Why is Clifford so obsessed with Dinosaur World that he's willing to hurt people to get there?"
"Is Uncle Martin a good babysitter, or does he let Clifford get under his skin too easily?"
"How can you tell when someone is being 'fake nice' to get what they want?"

Deep Dive

The Martin Short Experiment

There is no movie quite like Clifford. Most family comedies of the era followed the Home Alone blueprint: a kid is a bit of a handful but ultimately saves the day. Clifford subverts this by making the kid a legitimate menace. The decision to cast Martin Short—who was in his 40s at the time—to play the 10-year-old Clifford is the movie's entire identity. He doesn't play it like a real kid; he plays it like a high-functioning sociopath who has studied how kids act and is doing a terrifyingly good impression.

Not Your Average Family Film

For parents, the 'horror' of the movie is the relatable nightmare of a houseguest who won't leave and a child who knows exactly which buttons to push. Charles Grodin is the perfect foil here, playing the straight man who slowly loses his grip on reality.

"Look at me, Uncle Martin! I'm a little boy!"

The movie was a box office bomb because Disney (under their Orion banner) didn't know how to market it. Is it for kids? Is it for adults? The answer is it’s for people who enjoy the absurd and the uncomfortable. If your family's vibe is Bluey, this will feel like a fever dream. If your family's vibe is Beetlejuice or The Addams Family, you might find a new favorite.

What Parents Ask

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