Ben Stiller Admits Not All 'Focker' Movies Were Great

The actor opens up about the franchise's ups and downs as he promotes the upcoming sequel 'Focker-In-Law'.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up abstract photograph of shattered glass fragments reflecting warm, dramatic lighting, conceptually representing the ups and downs of a long-running comedy franchise.The glitzy, high-stakes world of Hollywood sequels is reflected in the shattered remnants of a once-dazzling disco ball.Las Vegas Today

In a social media post, Ben Stiller acknowledged that not all the 'Meet the Parents' comedy sequels were hits, specifically calling out 2010's 'Little Fockers' as a misstep. However, the Emmy-winning actor said he stands by the first two films in the franchise, 'Meet the Parents' (2000) and 'Meet the Fockers' (2004). Stiller's comments came as he and co-star Robert De Niro promoted the upcoming fourth installment, 'Focker-In-Law', at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Why it matters

The 'Meet the Parents' franchise has been a reliable comedy series for Universal Pictures, with the first two films grossing over $500 million worldwide. However, the lukewarm reception to 'Little Fockers' highlighted the challenges of sustaining a comedy franchise over multiple sequels. Stiller's candid admission about the franchise's ups and downs builds anticipation for 'Focker-In-Law' while also managing fan expectations.

The details

In a social media post, Stiller responded to a fan asking if they needed to see all the previous 'Focker' films to appreciate the upcoming 'Focker-In-Law'. Stiller replied, 'No! But I stand by the first two.' When asked what went wrong with 'Little Fockers', Stiller simply stated, 'We always try. Fully.' Stiller's comments came after he and De Niro revealed the first trailer for 'Focker-In-Law' at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The new film will feature Skyler Gisondo and Beanie Feldstein as Greg (Stiller) and Pam's (Teri Polo) now-grown kids, with Ariana Grande joining the cast as the bride-to-be who rubs her future father-in-law Jack (De Niro) the wrong way.

  • Stiller's social media posts came hours after the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas.
  • 'Focker-In-Law' is set to premiere in theaters on November 25, 2026.

The players

Ben Stiller

An Emmy-winning actor who has starred in the 'Meet the Parents' franchise as Greg Focker.

Robert De Niro

An acclaimed actor who has co-starred in the 'Meet the Parents' films as Greg's father-in-law, Jack Byrnes.

Skyler Gisondo

An actor who will play Greg and Pam's son, Henry, in the upcoming 'Focker-In-Law'.

Beanie Feldstein

An actress who will play Greg and Pam's daughter, Samantha, in 'Focker-In-Law'.

Ariana Grande

A pop star who will play Olivia, the bride-to-be who rubs her future father-in-law Jack the wrong way in 'Focker-In-Law'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No! But I stand by the first two.”

— Ben Stiller, Actor

“We always try. Fully.”

— Ben Stiller, Actor

What’s next

The first trailer for 'Focker-In-Law' will be released in the coming months, building anticipation for the film's November 25, 2026 premiere.

The takeaway

While the 'Meet the Parents' franchise has had its ups and downs, Ben Stiller's candid admission about the weaker sequels shows his commitment to delivering quality comedy for fans. The upcoming 'Focker-In-Law' will need to strike the right balance of familiarity and freshness to continue the series' legacy.