Disney’s ‘Heavyweights’ Remains A Hilarious Hidden Gem

I’d wager I’ve seen Disney’s Heavyweights a thousand times, and the scary thing is, I’m probably not exaggerating.

While I didn’t originally see the film in theaters back in 1995, I did wear out the VHS tape with my brother, and we’d make each other laugh (endlessly) by reciting ridiculous quotes from the script during camping trips and lazy afternoons spent swimming in our backyard pool.

What’s cool is that I recently introduced the movie to my daughter, who now frequently requests to watch it on Disney+. How could I say no? Plus, there’s just something incredibly special about my 5-year-old screaming YOU’VE BROKEN MY CAMERA! while we’re taking selfies at the park. So proud of her, that kid.

For those who haven’t seen it, Heavyweights tells the very ‘90s story of a group of portly adolescents who attend a fun sleepaway camp every summer, only this year, it’s been taken over by a maniacal health guru who’s hellbent on forcing the attendees to shed the excess pounds, all in service of a scripted infomercial he’s filming. Ben Stiller plays the new insane camp owner, Tony Perkis Jr, and holy cow, is he funny. I’d go so far as to say it’s Stiller’s best role; the manic, unhinged energy he brings to the character is simply unmatched. It’s like if the late Richard Simmons had finally snapped.

I bring all this up today, because earlier this morning, Stiller posted on X about the movie’s 30-year anniversary, which technically was yesterday, on February 17.

Stiller brings up a good point that I’ve thought about a lot, which is how it feels as if Disney pretends this film doesn’t exist. I’m honestly surprised you can even stream it on Disney+, because while it’s an absolute classic, Heavyweights remains wildly insensitive, especially by today’s standards. The big joke is that these kids are overweight—all the subplots and gags spiderweb out from here. The truth is, something like this could never get made today, although I’d argue the writing and performances totally transcend the film’s base premise.

It’s a shame, because the talent on display here is varied and excellent. There’s a young Kenan Thompson (All That, SNL), who posted an April Fool’s joke about Heavyweights 2 finally happening, a sin for which I’ll never forgive him. A relatively unknown Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters) plays a returning camp counselor who lost weight and is now mocked by the camp regulars. Then you’ve got the imitable Lars (…and I am LARS!), played by Tom Hodges, who competes with Stiller’s guru character to steal the entire show. Let’s not forget to mention that a budding Judd Apatow (Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) co-wrote the screenplay.

Minus Kenan’s wishful thinking, I don’t think we’ll ever actually see a Heavyweights 2, judging by how Disney wants to bury this film. Yes, social progress is good, and it’s nice that writers think twice now before using someone’s weight as the butt of a joke. But really, Heavyweights never felt (to me) like it was about fat kids, per se, but rather about the joy and horror of growing up. A sentiment that’s very Apatow, I think.

Honestly, at the end of the day, the movie is simply hilarious, even if Ben was an only child who was educated entirely by private tutors his whole life, and looking forward to interacting with children for the first time. I might watch Heavyweights later tonight, if it doesn’t get cancelled, that is, due to lack of hustle. Deal with it.