Flubber

Professor Philip Brainard is a brilliantly scatterbrained scientist who teams with his loyal but witty assistant Weebo to chase a radical energy breakthrough. His mission is twofold: prove a new source of power and save the financially teetering Medfield College where his former flame Sara Jean Reynolds now leads as president. On the eve of his third wedding ceremony, Brainard experiments with a mysterious compound and accidentally creates Flubber, a bouncy, energy charged substance. The material has an uncanny knack for lifting objects off the ground and turning everyday moments into slapstick mayhem. The discovery pulls Brainard into a fast paced scramble to harness its potential while keeping his life and romance from unraveling. The stakes feel personal and playful.

Released by Disney in 1997, Flubber is directed by Les Mayfield and draws on The Absent Minded Professor from 1961. The screenplay credits Bill Walsh and John Hughes, with Samuel W Taylor contributing ideas, and Robin Williams leads an ensemble.

Flubber earned about 178 million dollars worldwide against an 80 million dollar production budget, a solid return for Disney's mid 90s family slate. Its appeal crossed audiences, helped by Williams's improvisational style and the film's family friendly humor across families.

Flubber left a mark as a bright late 90s family pick, powered by Robin Williams's energy and the playful digital Weebo. Its glossy effects and goofy chaos turned ordinary objects into airborne mischief, helping the film stay in memory through videos and reruns, and its light tone helps it endure.

Critics often saw Flubber as family entertainment, appreciating Williams's timing even when the plot stays familiar. The film leans into responsible science and teamwork, balancing mischief with heart, and it uses a gentle romance for younger viewers. Its themes of collaboration and responsibility feel relevant to young viewers exploring science.