Ben Stiller and Judd Apatow recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1995 Disney film “Heavyweights.” The movie, which was co-written by Apatow and directed by Steven Brill, follows a group of boys at a weight loss camp who rebel against the tyrannical fitness guru who takes over the facility. On the anniversary, Stiller joked on social media, “Somehow I don’t think this will be at the head of the Disney+ queue ever.” He added, “I’m not sure they are aware they made it. But that was an incredibly fun summer in North Carolina 30 years ago.”
Apatow also marked the occasion by sharing behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram.
He gave a shoutout to cast member Kenan Thompson, who went on to star on “Saturday Night Live.” Apatow reflected, “When it came out, it didn’t make any noise but oddly it seems like tons of people have seen it and enjoy it.”
“Heavyweights” featured Stiller in dual roles alongside a cast that included Tom McGowan, Aaron Schwartz, Shaun Weiss, Paul Feig, Jeffrey Tambor, Jerry Stiller, and Anne Meara.
Stiller and Apatow on ‘Heavyweights’ milestone
While the film underperformed at the box office, it has since gained a devoted cult following.
Despite its enduring popularity with fans, “Heavyweights” remains a somewhat hidden gem in Disney’s catalog. Its premise and humor, centered around jokes about the campers’ weight, would likely be considered insensitive by today’s standards. Nevertheless, the talent of the cast and the nostalgic ’90s setting continue to resonate with audiences who discovered the film in the years since its release.
“Heavyweights” is currently available to stream on Disney+, allowing a new generation to experience the memorable performances and quotable moments that have made it a beloved comedy classic for many fans.