Addams Family Values (1993) is the darkly comedic sequel to the 1991 hit The Addams Family. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by Paul Rudnick, the film continues the gothic misadventures of the delightfully macabre Addams clan as they face a new threat from within their bizarre household.
Detailed Summary
Welcome Baby Pubert
The film begins with the Addams family welcoming a new addition: Baby Pubert, a pale infant with a tiny black mustache just like his father, Gomez (Raul Julia). His birth immediately sets off chaos within the family dynamic—particularly for his older siblings, Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman), who are less than thrilled about their new brother. Their dark little hearts devise creative ways to “get rid” of him, from guillotines to electric chairs.
Enter Debbie Jellinsky: The Killer Nanny
To restore order, Gomez and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) hire a new nanny, Debbie Jellinsky (Joan Cusack). She appears sweet and caring, but beneath her bright smile lies a deadly agenda. Debbie is a “black widow”—a serial killer who marries wealthy men and murders them for their money. Her next target? The adorably naive Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), whose fortune makes him irresistible prey.
Wednesday and Pugsley at Camp Chippewa
To get the troublesome children out of the way, Debbie convinces the parents to send Wednesday and Pugsley to Camp Chippewa, a pastel-colored nightmare for the Addams children. Run by the perky and terrifying camp counselors Gary and Becky Granger (Peter MacNicol and Christine Baranski), the camp embodies everything the Addamses despise: sunshine, forced smiles, and group hugs.
At camp, Wednesday meets Joel Glicker (David Krumholtz), a shy, allergy-ridden boy who shares her love for morbidity. The camp storyline becomes one of the film’s highlights, as Wednesday’s deadpan defiance clashes spectacularly with the forced cheerfulness of the camp. This subplot culminates in one of the most iconic scenes in the movie—the “First Thanksgiving” play gone gloriously wrong.
Fester Falls for Debbie
Back at the mansion, Debbie successfully seduces Fester with her manipulative charm. They marry in a hilariously awkward Addams-style wedding, and soon after, she isolates him from his family. She tries to kill him with electrocution, but—since he’s an Addams—it doesn’t work. Fester, blinded by love, doesn’t realize Debbie’s intentions until it’s almost too late.
The Addams Family Torn Apart
Debbie’s manipulation and the kids’ absence drive a wedge into the Addams family’s unity. Morticia and Gomez grow increasingly concerned about Fester’s absence, leading to one of the film’s most heartfelt and theatrical scenes—Gomez’s dramatic monologue about the loss of his brother.
Meanwhile, at Camp Chippewa, Wednesday and Pugsley are forced to participate in the Thanksgiving pageant—a saccharine performance about Pilgrims and Native Americans. In a darkly comedic rebellion, Wednesday leads the “Native Americans” in a fiery revolt, burning down the camp and liberating the kids. It’s both hilarious and oddly satisfying.
Movie Ending
After the camp’s destruction, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Joel return home just in time to discover Debbie’s final plan. She has tied up the entire Addams family—including baby Pubert—to an elaborate electrocution device in their own home. In a classic darkly comic monologue, Debbie reveals her life story through a slideshow of her previous marriages and murders. It’s one of the film’s funniest yet most sinister moments, perfectly balancing camp and menace.
However, her plan backfires spectacularly when Baby Pubert’s natural Addams resilience kicks in. Pubert escapes his restraints, rewires the electric chair, and zaps Debbie instead. The blast turns her into a pile of ashes—complete with her credit cards and shoes remaining intact.
In the aftermath, Fester reunites with the family, and Wednesday finally admits a small hint of affection for Joel—just before scaring him half to death. The film ends with the family gathered around a graveyard celebration, where Uncle Fester meets another love interest. Morticia reveals she’s pregnant again, and the macabre cycle continues.
The movie closes with a final gag as Wednesday visits Debbie’s grave, where Joel nervously asks if she thinks Debbie is truly gone. Wednesday responds deadpan, “Are you sure?”—and a hand bursts out of the grave.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Addams Family Values does not include any post-credits scenes. The film concludes with the graveyard moment, serving as both a punchline and a fittingly spooky farewell.
Type of Movie
Addams Family Values is a dark comedy with strong elements of satire, fantasy, and family farce. It’s one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original in wit and tone, combining deadpan humor with biting social commentary.
Cast
- Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams
- Raul Julia as Gomez Addams
- Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester
- Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams
- Jimmy Workman as Pugsley Addams
- Joan Cusack as Debbie Jellinsky
- Carel Struycken as Lurch
- Christina Baranski as Becky Martin-Granger
- Peter MacNicol as Gary Granger
- David Krumholtz as Joel Glicker
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Marc Shaiman, blending gothic tones with whimsical cues that perfectly match the film’s offbeat humor. The soundtrack includes camp songs, eerie orchestral themes, and a hauntingly playful motif that mirrors the Addamses’ twisted charm.
Filming Locations
Filming took place primarily in Los Angeles, California, including Paramount Studios. The Addams Mansion was a massive set constructed indoors, while the Camp Chippewa scenes were shot at a real children’s camp in Malibu. These contrasting settings—dark Gothic interiors versus bright outdoor landscapes—serve to amplify the movie’s satirical tone about conformity and difference.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award Nomination: Best Art Direction (Ken Adam, Marvin March)
- BAFTA Nomination: Best Production Design
- Saturn Award Nominations: Best Actress (Anjelica Huston), Best Fantasy Film
While not a major awards contender, the movie has become a cult classic for its sharp writing and Christina Ricci’s iconic performance as Wednesday.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Joan Cusack reportedly improvised several of Debbie’s funniest lines, adding to her character’s flamboyant villainy.
- Christina Ricci’s “Thanksgiving speech” was filmed in one take, and the crew broke into applause afterward.
- Raul Julia was seriously ill during filming but insisted on completing the movie—his charisma never wavered on screen.
- Barry Sonnenfeld and Paul Rudnick worked closely to ensure the sequel leaned more into satire than the first film.
Inspirations and References
The movie draws inspiration from Charles Addams’s original cartoons and classic screwball comedies. Its satirical take on American values—especially in the summer camp scenes—is a direct jab at the forced optimism and moralism of 1950s Americana.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
A few deleted scenes include extended camp sequences, such as Wednesday and Joel’s darker romantic moments. Another cut scene featured more of Debbie’s background and her previous husbands, but it was removed for pacing reasons. No alternate ending has been confirmed.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie was not based on a novel but directly inspired by Charles Addams’s original comics and the 1960s TV series. The tone of the film is darker and more cynical than the earlier adaptations, with sharper humor and social commentary.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Debbie’s slideshow confession scene (“My parents bought me a Malibu Barbie…”).
- Wednesday leading the Thanksgiving rebellion at Camp Chippewa.
- Gomez’s over-the-top lament for Fester’s disappearance.
- Baby Pubert saving the family with his electrifying revenge.
Iconic Quotes
- Wednesday: “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
- Debbie: “But Debbie’s life wasn’t all Malibu Barbie. She wanted more.”
- Morticia: “Children, what are you doing?”
Pugsley: “Playing.”
Wednesday: “Is there a god?” - Gomez: “I’ve never met anyone so… unhinged. You remind me of Fester!”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Baby Pubert’s mustache mirrors Charles Addams’s own self-portrait, a subtle tribute to the creator.
- The camp’s motto, “A Little Sunshine Goes a Long Way,” mocks forced positivity culture.
- Fester’s electrocution scene is a callback to the Addamses’ love of the macabre in the 1960s series.
Trivia
- The film’s title, Addams Family Values, is a playful jab at the 1990s political slogan “family values.”
- Anjelica Huston’s Morticia look took two hours of makeup and included custom lighting to make her eyes glow.
- The Thanksgiving play speech by Wednesday has been cited as one of the greatest comedic monologues in 1990s cinema.
- The film is dedicated to Raul Julia, who passed away the following year.
Why Watch?
Watch Addams Family Values for its razor-sharp humor, iconic performances, and biting social satire. It’s one of those rare sequels that improves upon its predecessor, balancing heart, horror, and hilarity with Gothic perfection. Christina Ricci’s Wednesday alone makes it worth every minute.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Addams Family (1991)
- Get Shorty (1995)
- Men in Black (1997)
- Wild Wild West (1999)
