Punchline (film)

Punchline
Theatrical poster
Directed byDavid Seltzer
Written byDavid Seltzer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyReynaldo Villalobos
Edited byBruce Green
Music by
Production
company
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • October 7, 1988 (1988-10-07)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Box office$21 million (US/Canada)

Punchline is a 1988 American comedy-drama film written and directed by David Seltzer and distributed by Columbia Pictures. Its story follows a talented young comic as he helps a housewife who wants to break into stand-up comedy. It stars Sally Field, Tom Hanks, John Goodman, and Mark Rydell.

The film was produced by Daniel Melnick and Michael I. Rachmil and was released on October 7, 1988. It grossed $21.0 million in the United States and Canada, against a budget of $15 million. It received generally mixed reviews and has a 57% approval rating based on 21 votes on Rotten Tomatoes.