Brendan Fraser and Sean Astin Star in a 90s Cult Comedy Now Streaming on Netflix

A thawed caveman wreaks havoc at a California high school in a delightfully absurd 90s cult comedy that is now available on Netflix.

Before Brendan Fraser battled undead priests in "The Mummy" and Sean Astin carried the One Ring to Mordor as Samwise Gamgee, the duo starred together in one of the wackiest high school comedies of the 1990s.

In "Encino Man," a caveman frozen for millennia is thawed and enrolled as an exchange student at a California school. For those who might have missed this premise or want to revisit the film after over three decades, now is the perfect opportunity: "Encino Man" has just become available on Netflix.

Plot Overview of "Encino Man"

Dave Morgan (Sean Astin) and his best friend Stoney Brown (Pauly Shore) are not exactly the most popular students at their high school. In an attempt to make a name for themselves, Dave decides to dig a swimming pool in his parents' backyard. However, he makes an unusual discovery: a fully frozen caveman buried underground. The duo manages to transport the massive ice block to their garage, where it slowly thaws and comes back to life.

They name him Link (Brendan Fraser) and try to introduce him to modern life, claiming to their parents and teachers that Link is an exchange student from Estonia. However, Link’s inability to speak, ignorance of social norms, and preference for drinking shampoo over washing his hair complicate their ruse. Surprisingly, their plan to become popular through their new 'exchange student' soon backfires as Link becomes the star of the school himself.

Brendan Fraser's Breakthrough Role

For Brendan Fraser, "Encino Man" marked one of his first significant film roles, helping him gain wider recognition. Through the character of Link, who has limited verbal skills, Fraser showcased his talent for physical comedy—a skill that would later define his performances in films such as "George of the Jungle" and "The Mummy." Alongside Fraser, Sean Astin was already known to audiences through "The Goonies" at the time of filming, and he would achieve global fame nearly a decade later as the beloved hobbit Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Pauly Shore, who had already made a name for himself as an MTV host, took on his first major film role here.

The film also features several actors who would later rise to prominence, including Robin Tunney from "The Mentalist," Rose McGowan of "Charmed," and Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan, known for his role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once," all appearing in smaller roles.

Critical Reception and Cult Status

Upon its release, "Encino Man" received harsh criticism. The loud 90s comedy directed by Les Mayfield was almost universally panned, earning a mere 17 percent positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of the ridicule was directed at Pauly Shore, who was deemed unfit for the big screen and was even awarded the Golden Raspberry Award, known as the anti-Oscar.

Despite the negative reviews, the film has cultivated a loyal cult following over the years, with many fans celebrating Shore's character Stoney. Financially, "Encino Man" was far from a failure, grossing over 40 million dollars in North America against a budget of approximately seven million dollars.

Potential for a Sequel?

Given its enduring popularity, it's no surprise that rumors of a sequel have circulated over the years. Pauly Shore has mentioned discussions about creating a follow-up specifically for Disney+, with hopes that he, Fraser, and Astin would reprise their roles. However, no concrete plans have materialized. Interestingly, there exists an unofficial shared universe surrounding the film, as Fraser makes cameo appearances as Link in other 90s comedies featuring Shore, such as "Son in Law" and "In the Army Now," suggesting that all three films inhabit the same world.

Meanwhile, Sean Astin has recently opened up about his low pay for his work in the Middle-earth franchise, revealing that the meager paychecks forced him to sell his house. More on his experience can be found in the following article:

"I had to sell my house": "Lord of the Rings" star discusses his meager earnings from the fantasy trilogy.