The Ultimate Guide to Watching The Addams Family: Every Movie and TV Show Revealed!

Summary

The beloved characters of The Addams Family have been given unique twists in the various adaptations, all while striking a perfect balance between dark gothic humor and entertainment suitable for the whole family.

The 1991 live-action adaptation, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, achieved great success at the box office and sparked a rejuvenation of the entire franchise. Subsequently, a sequel and an animated series were developed.

The latest rendition is the Netflix series Wednesday, helmed by Tim Burton, which centers around a enigmatic murder investigation at Nevermore Academy and flawlessly captures Burton's distinctive and sinister gothic style.

The question of where to watch The Addams Family can be quite complicated due to the numerous film and TV versions of these beloved characters. Originating from simple comic strips created by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, and published in the New Yorker until 1964, The Addams Family revolves around an eccentric and wealthy gothic family. Unaware of how peculiar and frightening they appear to others, they stumble through a series of amusing adventures.

The finest adaptations of The Addams Family on screen add their own distinctive touch to the comic strip family. Directors such as Barry Sonnenfeld and Tim Burton bring their personal sensibilities to the franchise, while the actors bring their individual flair to the beloved characters. Notably, Wednesday Addams has become a fan favorite and iconic role for both Christina Ricci and Jenna Ortega. Despite the variations in adaptation, the Addams Family franchise maintains a consistent tone, striking a balance between dark gothic humor and family-friendly entertainment.

The Addams Family (1964-1966)

Streaming on Fubo TV, The Roku Channel, and Freevee, The Addams Family is the original black-and-white sitcom based on Charles Addams' comic strip series. It premiered on ABC in 1964 and ran for two seasons. This adaptation was groundbreaking for the franchise as it provided names, backstories, and detailed family relationships for each member of the Addams family, which were lacking in the comic strip. With Charles Addams' input, the show successfully blended his dark sense of humor with family-friendly entertainment, earning positive reception from audiences.

Scooby-Doo Meets The Addams Family (1972)

You can stream The New Scooby-Doo Movies on Tubi and Boomerang. This Hanna-Barbera series aired from 1972 to 1973 and features the Mystery, Inc. gang solving mysteries alongside famous guest stars like the Harlem Globetrotters, The Three Stooges, and Batman and Robin. In season 1, episode 3 titled "Wednesday is Missing", the gang partners with the Addams Family to unravel the mystery of Wednesday's disappearance, as she is kidnapped by a villainous giant vulture. This episode provides a fun and enjoyable experience, allowing the Addams Family to shine in a more kid-friendly setting.

The Addams Family (1973)

Content available for purchase on Google Play

Following the success of "Scooby-Doo Meets the Addams Family," Hanna-Barbera Productions created a new Addams Family series. This animated show takes the Addamses on a thrilling road trip across the United States in their gothic, Victorian-era camper. Along the way, they encounter a variety of hilarious events and unusual locations, leading to entertaining misadventures. What makes this series truly remarkable is the return of Jackie Coogan and Ted Cassidy, reprising their roles as Uncle Fester and Lurch from the 1960s sitcom. Additionally, a young Jodie Foster joins the cast as Pugsley.

Halloween With The New Addams Family (1977)

Streaming on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel

Halloween with the New Addams Family, despite its title, is a Halloween special that continues the story of the 1960s ABC sitcom series. The special revolves around Gomez Addams' brother, Pancho, as he pays a visit to the Addams mansion on Halloween. However, their peaceful gathering is disrupted when a criminal named Bones Lafferty breaks into the manor, intending to rob and hold the family hostage. Before the police arrive to apprehend the criminals, the Addams must navigate this dangerous situation. This special not only marks the reunion of the original 1960s cast but also their first appearance in a color film.

The Addams Family (1991)

Streaming on Paramount+, you can now watch the 1991 adaptation of The Addams Family, marking director Barry Sonnenfeld's directorial debut. This film delves into the reunion of Gomez and Fester, who had a falling-out 25 years prior. Boasting an impressive cast including Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, and Anjelica Huston, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Morticia. Despite mixed reviews, the movie was a massive hit at the box office, sparking both a sequel and a rejuvenation of the franchise.

The Addams Family: The Animated Series (1992-1993)

Not available for streaming

After the success of Sonnenfeld's 1991 film, a fast-paced animated series was created called The Addams Family: The Animated Series, which aired from 1992 to 1993. Similar to the 1973 animated series, this 1992 version leans towards being more family-friendly, deviating slightly from the darker and more mature elements of the franchise. The show follows an episodic format, where each episode presents a new conflict for the Addams family to tackle, often leading to amusing and whimsical adventures that children will enjoy.

Addams Family Values (1993)

Streaming on Paramount+, Addams Family Values is a sequel to the 1991 film, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The movie brings back almost every actor from the original film, reprising their roles, while also introducing new cast members. Notably, Joan Cusack portrays Debbie Jellinsky, a serial killer who marries Fester (Christopher Lloyd) in an attempt to inherit his money and subsequently kill him. This film marks Raul Julia's final release during his lifetime, preceding his death in 1994. Angelica Huston received another Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Morticia, and the film itself received a Best Art Direction Oscar nomination.

Addams Family Reunion (1998)

Not available for streaming

Addams Family Reunion, directed by Dave Payne, was originally created as a pilot for a new reboot of the franchise. However, instead of being released in theaters, it became a straight-to-video film. The initial intention was to maintain the dark and mature tone of the previous Barry Sonnenfeld films. However, the production company, Saban, decided to target a family-friendly audience, resulting in a movie that struggles to find a balance between dark humor and a lighthearted tone. Despite its negative reception, Tim Curry's portrayal of Gomez Addams was acclaimed and considered the standout aspect of the film.

The New Addams Family (1998-1999)

The New Addams Family, a reboot of The Addams Family from 1998, was created to emulate the essence of the original 1960s series. This sitcom showcases the Addams Family's involvement in various comedic storylines and conflicts. Notably, Nicole Fugere reprises her role as Wednesday Addams from the film Addams Family Reunion. Moreover, the series stars John Astin as Grandpapa Addams, who famously portrayed Gomez in the 1960s sitcom.

The Addams Family (2019)

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+, the 2019 animated reboot of The New Addams Family franchise boasts a stellar cast including Oscar Isaac as Gomez, Charlize Theron as Morticia, Chloë Grace Moretz as Wednesday, Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley, and Nick Kroll as Fester. The storyline follows the Addamses as they prepare for a visit from their relatives, only to be confronted by Margaux Needler (Allison Janney), a TV personality determined to demolish their mansion and replace it with cookie-cutter suburban homes. While the film received mixed reviews, its animation and exceptional voice performances remain the highlights.

The Addams Family 2 (2021)

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video and MGM+, The Addams Family 2 is a sequel to the 2019 animated film. It follows the story of Gomez and Morticia as they embark on a cross-country road trip with the Addams family. Their goal is to strengthen their bond and prevent Wednesday from growing apart. Fans can expect to see all the beloved characters from the first film, along with new additions like Bill Hader, who portrays Cyrus Strange, a scientist claiming to be Wednesday's biological father. Additionally, Wallace Shawn joins the cast as Mr. Mustela, Cyrus' lawyer who aims to bring down the Addamses.

Wednesday (2022)

Streamed on Netflix, Wednesday, the most recent iteration of The Addams Family, captivates audiences with its perfectly cast ensemble. The series revolves around Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, as she embarks on her education at Nevermore Academy and finds herself entangled in a string of perplexing murders plaguing the school. With the unparalleled involvement of acclaimed director Tim Burton, who not only helms four episodes but also assumes the role of executive producer, Wednesday exudes the distinct essence of a Tim Burton creation. From the dark gothic aesthetic to the enthralling ambiance, enriched by Danny Elfman's exceptional musical composition, this show truly embodies Burton's artistic vision.