Harry and the Hendersons

The Hendersons are an upwardly mobile Seattle family who find what they assume is a dead Bigfoot after a hunter wounds the creature. They bring him home out of compassion and quickly discover he is alive, so they band together to nurse him back to health and call him Harry. His arrival upends routines, sparks awkward encounters with neighbors, and creates ongoing problems as the family hides him from hunters and curious onlookers. The show plays its premise for humor and warmth, tracking how a large, mysterious houseguest changes parenting, sibling dynamics, and the household balance, while keeping stories episodic and focused on everyday challenges rather than sweeping mysteries or late-breaking revelations.

Adapted from the 1987 feature film, the 1991 TV series was created by Lin Oliver, Ezra D. Rappaport, and Bill Martin. It translates the movie's family-friendly concept into hourlong sitcom episodes, keeping Harry at the center of domestic situations and comedic set pieces.

The series itself did not attract major industry awards, though the original film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Any prominent recognition around the franchise leans toward the film's technical achievements rather than honors for the television adaptation.

Harry and the Hendersons helped cement a gentler image of Bigfoot in 1990s family entertainment, turning a legendary cryptid into a sympathetic, almost paternal figure. The idea of a lovable, misunderstood monster living with a suburban family stuck in the cultural memory of viewers who grew up with the film and series, and the character remains a shorthand for warm, family-oriented fantasy.

Critical and audience response was mixed, reflected in a modest vote average of 5.8/10 from available ratings. Viewers generally liked its themes of acceptance and belonging, and families appreciated the lighthearted, protective tone. Critics often noted the episodic, sitcom-style plots and lighter comedic beats, which made it more suitable for younger viewers than for those seeking darker or more sophisticated fantasy.