These Addams Family Movie Secrets Deserve Double Snaps

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“They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky…”

The original Addams Family was perfect for television. But this big-screen version lets the family truly be themselves – they do, say, live, and play however they please.

With fantastic performances from Raúl Juliá, Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, and Christopher Lloyd, The Addams Family and Addams Family Values remain popular choices for Halloween – or any time you’re looking for a fun movie.

Jenna Ortega’s performance as Wednesday Addams – the famously gloomy and slightly murderous teenager – is still considered the definitive portrayal of a darkly witty and troubled youth.

The actress, speaking on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in 2023, praised the character as an excellent role model for young people. She explained that the character is self-assured, refuses to conform to expectations, and never tries to be someone she’s not, choosing instead to stay true to herself – qualities she finds admirable.

I remember when the first Addams Family movie came out in 1991 – honestly, nobody thought it would be a success! It was based on Charles Addams’ wonderfully dark and funny cartoons and the old TV show, but it wasn’t considered a sure thing. What’s amazing is they filmed it in just 20 weeks for only $30 million, and it went on to make a whopping $200 million! It really took everyone by surprise.

The first movie was followed by an even funnier sequel, Addams Family Values, in 1993. Although it didn’t do incredibly well in theaters, earning just under $50 million, it has become a beloved cult classic, largely thanks to Joan Cusack’s performance.

The Addams Family has seen a resurgence with the 2019 animated film, featuring a star-studded voice cast including Charlize Theron, Oscar Isaac, Finn Wolfhard, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Snoop Dogg. More recently, the popular Netflix series Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega as the wonderfully eccentric Wednesday Addams, has been a huge success and anything but ordinary.

As Halloween nears, we’re taking a look back at the classic films The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993), sharing some surprising and little-known stories from behind the scenes.

And yes, they’re made from real girl scouts:

Although people had discussed an Addams Family movie for years, producer Scott Rudin truly committed to the project after a surprising moment. He heard the show’s theme song sung by a studio executive’s son during a car ride, which quickly led to everyone in the vehicle joining in, flawlessly remembering all the words and notes. Inspired, Rudin pitched the movie idea the very next day.

Originally, Cher and Kevin Kline were considered to play Morticia and Gomez in a planned Addams Family film, with Ivan Reitman set to direct. Later, in 1990, Robin Williams’ name came up as a possibility. However, Raúl Julia ultimately won the role of Gomez Addams. According to producer Sonnenfield, Raúl was a perfect fit, describing him as someone who truly loved life and brought that energy to the part.

Anjelica Huston was the producers’ first and only choice to play Morticia. Producer Scott Rudin explained to the Los Angeles Times that they always envisioned her in the role, describing her as both delicate and strong – a nurturing mother figure who could also be surprisingly fiery and passionate.

Huston was surprised to be chosen for the part, as she thought Cher was the more likely candidate. According to Sonnenfield, the studio preferred Cher, but the filmmakers worried having such a big star would overshadow the movie itself—they wanted the focus to be on the story, not the actors.

An interview with The Guardian revealed that Anjelica Huston based her portrayal of Morticia Addams on model Jerry Hall. Transforming into the Addams Family matriarch required two hours of hair and makeup, including reshaping her eyes and wearing a tight metal corset. Huston told Entertainment Weekly that the corset was so restrictive she often developed headaches and found it exhausting, as she couldn’t lie down or rest while wearing it.

Even though Christina Ricci has enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in Hollywood, she’s most known for playing Wednesday Addams, a role she started at just 10 years old, and she’s perfectly happy to be remembered for it.

She explained to The A.V. Club that she feels deeply connected to the character she played, especially considering how young she was during filming and the positive impact the role had on her. She wonders whether she shaped the character, or the character shaped her, describing it as a classic ‘chicken or egg’ question.

In a 1991 appearance on Live With Regis and Kathie Lee, Christina Ricci shared her audition preparation: she remembered her mom advising her to think about Winona Ryder’s performance in Beetlejuice, as the characters were similar. This approach worked well for her audition. Ricci and Ryder had previously co-starred in Mermaids the year before and remained friends for many years afterward.

Interestingly, Sir Anthony Hopkins was originally considered for the role of Uncle Fester before Christopher Lloyd got the part. Also, the padded suit Christopher Lloyd wore in the films wasn’t new – it had been used before! Actor Bruno Kirby wore it in 1974 for The Godfather Part II and then passed it on to Lloyd for Back to the Future.

Lloyd, a lifelong fan of the original cartoons, was incredibly surprised when he was offered the role of Uncle Fester – a character he’d always loved. However, he worried he wouldn’t be convincing enough and feared being fired early on. He was particularly anxious when called into a meeting after a test shoot with heavy prosthetic makeup. To his relief, the producers decided the prosthetics were hindering his ability to express himself, and they switched to a simpler makeup look. He was very grateful they did!

The initial script for the first film featured a fake Fester, not the genuine Addams family member. However, the cast strongly objected to this idea. Ten-year-old Christina Ricci took the lead, explaining to the filmmakers why Fester needed to be the real character. Producer Scott Rudin said her compelling argument led them to completely rewrite about 20 pages of the script to make it work.

Everyone was expecting directors like Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, or David Lynch to take the helm, so it was a huge surprise when Sonnenfield, who was primarily a cinematographer and hadn’t directed before, got the job. It was incredibly stressful, and honestly, it really took a toll on him. He told Empire he lost thirteen pounds in the first ten weeks alone, and the atmosphere on set was just unbelievably tense. It was a long, 25-week shoot, and you could feel the pressure building.

Three weeks into filming, he collapsed on set while discussing the movie’s finances. He described feeling intense pressure in his chest, like something was inflating inside him. He then became dizzy and fainted before he could even sit down.

Okay, so this is totally something only a true fan would notice, but it’s amazing! Apparently, Joel Rubin, he’d mess with the director’s chair on set – you know, the one with the director’s name on the back? He’d change the name every single time a reporter came around! It wasn’t just random, either. He’d put the names of directors who’d almost directed the movie on there! Can you imagine? It was like, a little inside joke, but honestly, it probably drove everyone crazy and definitely didn’t help with the stress of making the film! It’s just… chef’s kiss – peak behind-the-scenes detail!

The second Addams Family movie was titled Addams Family Values, a direct reference to a speech made in 1992 by Dan Quayle, then running for Vice President. Quayle had argued that a decline in “family values” contributed to the Los Angeles riots.

The sequel brought back most of the original Addams Family cast. However, Judith Malina, who played Grandmama in the first film, was replaced by Carol Kane. The role had become more physically challenging, and Kane, a longtime friend of director Paul Huston, ended up being a year younger than the actress playing her on-screen granddaughter.

Although Kathleen Turner was considered for the role, Joan Cusack ultimately played Debbie Jellinski in the sequel. Cusack’s portrayal of the scheming and funny con-woman was a highlight of the film, and she often had the cast and crew laughing.

Okay, seriously, Joan Cusack as Debbie? It’s just…everything. I was actually there on set when she filmed that monologue about Malibu Barbie, and it was unreal. Everyone was trying so hard not to lose it – people were literally shoving paper cups in their mouths to stifle their laughter! She was just absolutely perfect, sublime even. Honestly, just watching her work is a total gift, I feel so lucky I got to witness it.

Christina Ricci’s first on-screen kiss happened on a Wednesday during filming, with Dave Krumholtz, who played her character’s love interest at Camp Chippewa. Ricci was 13 at the time, and Krumholtz was 15.

I was pretty anxious about it, as it was one of my first times kissing anyone. Looking back, it was a really sweet, innocent moment – just a quick touch of lips. But Christina actually mentioned I had a little peach fuzz on my upper lip, and that really made me feel insecure.

Interestingly, the baby playing Pubert, Gomez and Morticia’s son in the sequel, wasn’t a boy at all – it was actually twin girls, Kaitlyn and Kristen Hooper! The name ‘Pubert’ was a nod to Charles Addams’ original name for Pugsley, which the producers of the 1960s TV show didn’t use. To get the twins to move around during filming, Cheerios were attached to strings, and their hair was darkened slightly. Of course, the baby’s mustache was added with makeup.

The actor who played Pugsley, Jimmy Workman, was discovered in a rather unique way. According to producer David Sonnenfield, they found him while his sister was auditioning for the role of Wednesday Addams – they simply noticed him while he was waiting in the audition room.

Michael Jackson created a song and music video titled “Is It Scary” for the movie’s sequel. However, after accusations of child sexual abuse surfaced in 1993, combined with existing contract issues with Paramount (where Jackson already had a deal), the song and video were removed from the film.

According to Rudnick, the actor did film a scene, but it was ultimately cut from the movie because it was considered too outlandish. He described it as involving the actor living in the Addams Family house and being chased by angry neighbors with pitchforks and torches. He jokingly explained that it was just a bit much for the final cut.

The wig worn by John Salapatek to play Cousin Itt in the two movies was incredibly heavy – 35 pounds! They did make it lighter for the second film. Salapatek told Buzzfeed it was a grueling experience, especially since he only weighs a little over 100 pounds himself, and he even worried they might recast the role.

Julia was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1991. Sadly, Addams Family Values was one of her final roles, and she passed away less than a year after the movie came out.

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2025-10-30 13:18