Summary
The poorly-reviewed 1994 movie adaptation of the classic comedy shortsThe Little Rascalsbecame a hit on Netflix in the United States 30 years later. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the film acts as an updated version of Hal Roach’sOur Gangseries of shorts, many of which were originally broadcast under the name the movie would later use. In the movie,The Little Rascalscharactersdiscover a member of their anti-girl club has a secret girlfriend, leading to a series of event all stemming from Spanky (Travis Tedford) and Buckwheat (Ross Elliot Bagley) trying to break them up.
Now,Netflixreports thatThe Little Rascalshas found renewed success on the streaming platform 30 years later,becoming the Number 10 most-watched movie in the United Statesfor the week of July 8 through June 28, 2025. The movie comes in just underMatilda, which is currently on its seventh week in the US Top 10 list. Its placement indicates a recalled interest in the film despite its poor reviews and decades-old story.
Why The Little Rascals Is A Netflix Hit
The Little Rascalscame out during the same time period as a plethora of other memorable family comedies, including the aforementionedMatilda, Disney’sHomeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and the Robin Williams-ledMrs. Doubtfire. Although many of these films are still considered classics today, the current Netflix hit is often overlooked in comparison. However, it still manages to provide a story that can keep children entertained, possibly explaining its resurgence.
10 Movies To Watch If You Love The Little Rascals (1994)
The family-friendly classic from the ’90s, The Little Rascals is a great movie that shares some characteristics with these film suggestions.
Since the movie deals with childhood change alongside wild situations the boys in the club get into,it offers an experience that’s unique compared to other films that came out around the same time.The Little Rascalskidsare also highly memorable characters, such as the amphibian-loving Froggy, the neighborhood bully Butch, and “Uh-huh” who seemingly only speaks his titular phrase. Coupled with main characters who have their own funny roles, the movie ends up embracing interesting dynamics that often lead to hilarious results as the story unfolds.
Many of the actors featured in the movie went on to other careers, such as how Sam Saletta, who playedButch inThe Little Rascals, ended up becoming a musician.Watching the movie with knowledge of where the child actors ended up in real life gives it a whole new perspective, bolstering its rewatchability for older audiences. With the movie’s streaming success seemingly just beginning, it might not be long until it climbs higher on Netflix’s US charts.
A sequel titledThe Little Rascals Save the Daywas released in 2014, being one of the first roles forWednesdaystar Jenna Ortega.
The Little Rascals
Cast
The Little Rascals is a family comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris. It centers on a group of mischievous children who form the “He-Man Woman Haters Club” and navigate various adventures and misadventures, primarily focusing on the rivalry between club members Alfalfa and Spanky over new girl Darla. The film features a mix of humor, friendship, and childhood innocence, revisiting characters from the classic Our Gang series.
