Watch Ernest Scared Stupid

In the movie Ernest Scared Stupid, Jim Varney portrays the lovable, bumbling character of Ernest P. Worrell. This 1991 family-friendly comedy overlays a spooky theme on top of classic Ernest-style humor. The plot revolves around a mythical troll named Trantor who has been awakened by mistake when some kids attempt to recreate a Norse legend. Trantor begins to turn the town's children into wooden dolls to steal their life essence and restore his strength. The only way to stop him is to find a virgin to place a special talisman on Trantor's nose.

Enter Ernest, the beloved trash collector and jack-of-all-trades. He finds himself in the middle of the fray after inadvertently unearthing Trantor's tomb while building a treehouse. Much to the dismay of the local resident Old Lady Hackmore (played by Eartha Kitt), Ernest tries to help, but his exaggerated attempts often lead to comic mishaps.

While the story is simple and repetitive, with Ernest bumbling his way through one close call after another, it is still entertaining thanks to Varney's comedic timing and physical comedy skills. His childlike innocence and willingness to do whatever it takes to save the children offer a warm and fuzzy antidote to the terrifying trolls, brought to life through convincing puppetry and practical effects.

The movie also offers a healthy dose of nostalgia for audiences who grew up with Ernest on TV commercials and in other films. However, the movie may not hold the same charm for younger audiences who may be more accustomed to CGI-heavy films.

Despite its reputation as a "so bad it's good" movie, Ernest Scared Stupid holds up as an enjoyable and endearing film. It's not without its flaws, such as the flattening of some characterizations in favor of easy jokes, but it offers a fun and spooky diversion that is perfect for all ages. Overall, Ernest Scared Stupid is a classic in its own right, and one that will never cease to entertain.

Ernest Scared Stupid is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 38.