Okay. Most people don’t equate dentists with movies. Dentists might go to the theatre to see a movie but do we really care about a movie with a dentist in it? You bet we do! You may not be able to think of any popular dentists in the movies but once you read this list you’ll be smacking yourself in the forehead saying ‘Oh YEAH!’ and fondly remembering them. Without further ado, here are the top 5 dentist movies of all time.
5. Rudolph (1964)Box Office Gross: N/A – Made for TV
Now, before you say ‘RUDOLPH?!’ just think about it for a minute. While it may not be about a dentist, it has the cutest wannabe dentist in the world! Who can forget the misfit toymaker Hermey declaring, “Well, sir, someday, I’d like to be a…a dentist”?
4. The Secret Lives of Dentists (2003)Box Office Gross: $3,707,346 Adjusted: $0
When David and his wife Dana (Campbell Scott and Hope Davis) begin to have marital problems, we quickly learn that dentists are people, too. Sharing a dental practice and raising three girls is the least of their problems when Dana falls into the arms of another man. The male Dr. Hurst turns to Dennis Leary for advice. Is that really a good idea?
3. Finding Nemo (2003)Box Office Gross: $339,714,978 Adjusted: $0
Perhaps the best opening of a movie ever, we get to see the dentist’s office and his spoiled little girl plop Nemo into the office aquarium. With a fish-eye view of the goings on of the dentist chair, we learn to love Nemo and want to strangle the little girl (or do we want to strangle her indulgent father?) at the same time.
2. Marathon Man (1976)Box Office Gross: $21,709,020 Adjusted: $0
Disclaimer: if you have an upcoming appointment with your favourite dentist, do NOT see this movie! Dr. Christian Szell, played by Sir Laurence Olivier, submits Dustin Hoffman to torture like no other. Who hasn’t felt tortured in the dentist’s chair? After watching this movie you’ll think your dentist is cousin to the Easter Bunny.
1. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)Box Office Gross: $38,748,395 Adjusted: $0
Who doesn’t love Steve Martin? No matter what character he plays, he brings a life and comedy to it like no other. Orin Scrivello, DDS just may be the funniest, most demented dentist out there. With a sadistic spin, Dr. Scrivello takes an obvious joy in his profession.
Richard is a freelance writer and contributes to a number of blogs; including those to do with movies, dental braces and health. Check out his Twitter at @thefreshhealth.
Yeah, thanks for your reply. I didn’t include The Whole Nine Yards in the list but I have to agree it’s a really funny film. Matthew Perry’s best film role and Bruce Willis is really funny as the hitman,
Interesting theme: dentist movies. Little Shop of Horrors was an excellent film and Steve Martin was at his zaniest as the sadistic dentist.
A dentist film that I loved that didn’t make the list: The Whole Nine Yards. Bruce Willis as a hitman in hiding working with Mathew Perry as a dentist trying to pay off his debts was a great team up.