Howard the Duck (1986)
MovieOptionalLegacy
A wisecracking duck from another planet gets stranded on Earth and battles an alien overlord. This 1986 Marvel film was made outside Marvel Studios’ main MCU line-up, so it’s optional for the watch order and works fine on its own. It runs 1h 50m and is free to watch with ads on Tubi in the US.
| Directed by | Willard Huyck |
|---|---|
| Starring | Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones, Tim Robbins |
| Release date | August 1, 1986 |
| Runtime | 1h 50m |
| Age rating | PG |
| IMDb rating | 4.8/10 |
| Box office | $38M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
Marvel's first theatrical feature, a notorious Lucas-era flop that later found a cult following. Howard himself got a second life in MCU post-credits cameos.
About Howard the Duck
Howard is yanked out of his apartment on Duckworld, a planet of talking ducks, and lands in Cleveland, Ohio. He rescues Beverly Switzler, singer in the band Cherry Bomb, from some thugs, and she lets him crash at her place. Her friend Phil Blumburtt turns out to be a lab assistant rather than the scientist she hoped could send Howard home, and an accident with the lab's laser spectroscope leaves Dr. Walter Jenning possessed by an alien that calls itself the Dark Overlord of the Universe.
Willard Huyck directed from a script he wrote with Gloria Katz, and George Lucas executive produced for Lucasfilm and Universal, which released it on August 1, 1986. Lea Thompson plays Beverly, Jeffrey Jones plays Jenning and Tim Robbins plays Phil. Howard was mainly performed in a suit by Ed Gale and voiced by Chip Zien. The film cost an estimated $30–37 million and earned about $37.9 million worldwide. Critics savaged it, and it won four Razzies, including Worst Picture. It has since picked up a cult following.
Good to know
- Thomas Dolby wrote the songs, picked the members of Cherry Bomb and cameos as a bartender.
- Six performers worked inside the Howard suit over the course of filming.
- Howard creator Steve Gerber later said the film wasn't as bad as its reviews suggested.
- Lea Thompson pitched Marvel Studios a new Howard film, which Marvel passed on.
Spoiler Spoilers for Howard the Duck: tap to reveal
- Howard cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and its sequels, voiced by Seth Green.
How to watch it
Watch it as a stand-alone piece of 1980s Marvel history. It has no connection to the MCU beyond the character himself, who has made a few small MCU appearances since. It goes over best with friends who enjoy cult films and '80s cheese, and the Cherry Bomb musical numbers are a highlight. If you only know Howard from his brief MCU moments, expect a much stranger, more chaotic film.
Where it fits in your watch
- All legacy Marvel films
Howard the Duck FAQ
Who voices Howard the Duck in the 1986 movie?
Chip Zien provides Howard's voice. Ed Gale was the main performer inside the suit.
Is Howard the Duck in the MCU?
The character is, in a few small appearances voiced by Seth Green, but the 1986 film itself is unrelated. Where he turns up is in the spoiler box above.
Did George Lucas make Howard the Duck?
He was the executive producer, and Lucasfilm co-produced it. Willard Huyck directed and co-wrote it with Gloria Katz.
Can you skip Howard the Duck?
Yes. It sits outside the MCU timeline, so nothing in the MCU depends on it.
When was Howard the Duck released?
Howard the Duck was released on August 1, 1986.
Does Howard the Duck have a post-credit scene?
No, Howard the Duck has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Howard the Duck in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|---|
| Free with ads | Tubi (more free Marvel) |
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Howard the Duck outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, Sky Store |
| Canada | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo |
| Australia | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, Fetch TV |
| India | Not included | Rent: Amazon |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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