Doin' Time on Planet Earth Poster

Doin' Time on Planet Earth 1988

★ 3.711 votes85 min📅 1988-09-16
Comedy

"A story of teenage alienation."

Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) follows Ryan Richmond, a restless Arizona teen stuck in the quirky confines of his family's Holiday Inn in the prune capital of the world.

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Director: Charles Matthau

Cast

Nicholas Strouse
Ryan Richmond
Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson
Lisa Winston
Martha Scott
Martha Scott
Virginia Camalier
Adam West
Adam West
Charles Pinsky
Hugh Gillin
Hugh Gillin
Fred Richmond
Matt Adler
Matt Adler
Dan Forrester
Timothy Patrick Murphy
Timothy Patrick Murphy
Jeff Richmond
Candice Azzara
Candice Azzara
Edna Pinsly
Isabelle Walker
Jenny Camalier
Gloria Henry
Gloria Henry
Mary Richmond

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) about?

The film centers on Ryan Richmond, a bored teenager living above his family's Holiday Inn in Sunnyvale, Arizona, who dreams of escaping his mundane life. Between navigating his parents' quirky business, a sex-obsessed best friend, and a crush on the hotel's lounge singer, Ryan's teenage frustrations bubble over in this offbeat '80s comedy.

Who directed Doin' Time on Planet Earth?

Charles Matthau directed this 1988 comedy, bringing a lighthearted yet sharp eye to the absurdities of small-town teenage life.

Who stars in Doin' Time on Planet Earth?

The film features Nicholas Strouse as Ryan Richmond, alongside Andrea Thompson, Martha Scott, Adam West, and Matt Adler in key roles.

Is Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) worth watching?

While not a blockbuster, this 1988 comedy delivers a nostalgic slice of '80s teen life with plenty of humor and heart. Fans of offbeat coming-of-age stories or off-kilter comedies may find its quirks endearing—just don't expect high-octane laughs.

How long is Doin' Time on Planet Earth?

The runtime is 85 minutes, making it a perfect quick watch for fans of short, snappy comedies.

About Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) — A '80s Teen Comedy with Quirky Charm and Desert Vibes

Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) follows Ryan Richmond, a restless Arizona teen stuck in the quirky confines of his family's Holiday Inn in the prune capital of the world. Directed by Charles Matthau, this offbeat comedy dives into the awkward chaos of adolescence, teenage lust, and the universal dream of escape.

Ryan's days are a whirlwind of schoolyard antics with his best friend Dan, whose obsession with romance is matched only by Ryan's hopeless crush on the hotel's sultry lounge singer, Lisa. Between dodging family drama and navigating Sunnyvale's small-town surrealism, Ryan's escape plan? College in Saudi Arabia—or at least a date to his brother's wedding. With a tone that blends cringe comedy and heartfelt longing, this 1988 gem is a time capsule of '80s teen angst, wrapped in sunbaked Americana and wacky charm.