{ "id": "epbkx51qxw", "slug": "arthur-2-on-the-rocks", "title": "Arthur 2: On the Rocks", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "label": "Franchise and series entries as standalone works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries", "label": "Teen and comedy series film entries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries.entries-released-before-1990", "label": "Entries released before 1990", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries.entries-released-before-1990" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries", "label": "United States · 1946 to 2000: Teen and comedy series film entries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946", "label": "United States · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "label": "Franchise and series entries as standalone works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries", "label": "Teen and comedy series film entries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) is the Bud Yorkin-directed sequel to Arthur, starring Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, and John Gielgud, in which Arthur loses his $750 million fortune; it grossed $14.1 million and was panned by critics.", "snippet": "Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) is the Bud Yorkin-directed sequel to Arthur, starring Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, and John Gielgud, in which Arthur loses his $750 million fortune; it grossed $14.1 million and was panned by critics.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.teen-comedy-series-entries.entries-released-before-1990", "markdown": "# Arthur 2: On the Rocks\n\n**Arthur 2: On the Rocks** is a 1988 American comedy film and the sequel to the 1981 film *Arthur*, directed by Bud Yorkin, written by Andy Breckman, and starring [Dudley Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/dudley-moore), Liza Minnelli, and [John Gielgud](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-gielgud), who reprise their roles as Arthur Bach, Linda Marolla Bach, and Hobson.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) Warner Bros. released it in the United States on 8 July 1988, after a world premiere in [West Palm Beach, Florida](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-palm-beach-florida) on 5 July.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | World premiere West Palm Beach, FL, 5 July 1988; Los Angeles and New York openings 8 July 1988[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) |\n| Principal cast | Dudley Moore (Arthur Bach), Liza Minnelli (Linda Marolla Bach), John Gielgud (Hobson), Stephen Elliott (Burt Johnson), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Martha Bach), Kathy Bates (Mrs. Canby)[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) • [2](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks) |\n| Filming | Began 30 November 1987 in New York City and Los Angeles[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2ONTHEROCKS?cp=1&pos=1&sid=848345cb-4175-46f1-955d-7f8a1cea7afd&sr=0.14852281) |\n| Plot premise | Billionaire Burt Johnson seizes Arthur's $750 million inheritance to force him to divorce Linda and marry Susan; Arthur and Linda are meanwhile trying to adopt a baby[4](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-1988) |\n| Music | Score by Burt Bacharach; theme song \"Love Is My Decision (Theme From Arthur 2 On the Rocks)\" performed by Chris De Burgh[5](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS?cxt=filmography) |\n| US box office | $14.1 million[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks) |\n| Critical reception | 13% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer from 24 reviews; 29% on the audience Popcornmeter[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nArthur Bach, a tippling [Park Avenue](https://www.edgepedia.org/park-avenue) heir, is happily married to Linda, the woman he chose over his wealthy fiancée Susan in the first film, and the two are trying to adopt a baby.[4](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-1988) Susan's father, the billionaire Burt Johnson, seizes control of Arthur's inheritance and leaves him broke and homeless unless he divorces Linda and marries Susan.[4](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-1988) Arthur loses his fortune for staying with Linda, and as their marriage suffers he plans to get his money back, but first he must sober up and get a real job.[2](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks) Hobson, Arthur's manservant, who died in the first film, returns in a ghostly cameo.[9](https://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/store/products/arthur-2-on-the-rocks/) The film ends with Arthur recovering his fortune in a riches-to-rags-to-riches arc.[10](https://www.bestbuy.com/product/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-dvd/J3KZRYV38H)\n\n## Production\n\nThe film is a sequel to *Arthur* (1981) and is based on characters created by that film's writer-director Steve Gordon.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) An item in the 15 October 1987 *Hollywood Reporter* reported that Bud Yorkin would direct a sequel starring Moore, Minnelli, and Gielgud.[7](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56543) Although a 4 November 1987 trade item said principal photography would start in February 1988, a 15 December 1987 production chart, referring to the film as *Arthur On the Rocks*, announced that filming had begun on 30 November 1987 in New York City and Los Angeles.[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2ONTHEROCKS?cp=1&pos=1&sid=848345cb-4175-46f1-955d-7f8a1cea7afd&sr=0.14852281)\n\nNew York locations listed in studio production notes included the Apthorp Building on Broadway, the Americas Society on Park Avenue, the [Tavern on the Green](https://www.edgepedia.org/tavern-on-the-green) in [Central Park](https://www.edgepedia.org/central-park), Lincoln Center, the Big Apple Circus, the Washington Square Methodist Church in [Greenwich Village](https://www.edgepedia.org/greenwich-village), the South Street Seaport, and the Entrepreneur II, a 130-foot yacht docked in the East River.[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2ONTHEROCKS?cp=1&pos=1&sid=848345cb-4175-46f1-955d-7f8a1cea7afd&sr=0.14852281) Los Angeles filming was scheduled to start on 11 January 1988, with the Vine St. Bar & Grill in Hollywood used as a location.[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2ONTHEROCKS?cp=1&pos=1&sid=848345cb-4175-46f1-955d-7f8a1cea7afd&sr=0.14852281) In a July 1988 interview, Dudley Moore said he had to persuade the owners of the original story to relinquish the sequel rights, and that contributions were made as production went along.[8](https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/07/01/Dudley-Moore-sober-about-Arthur-2/8106583732800/)\n\n## Reception\n\nThe sequel was poorly received by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a 13% Tomatometer from 24 reviews and a 29% Popcornmeter score from more than 5,000 audience ratings.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks) Roger Ebert, film critic of the *Chicago Sun-Times*, gave the film two stars, arguing that the opening scenes are as funny as the original but that the film loses its comic energy when Arthur grows, takes responsibility, and stops drinking, turning \"from pure comedy into sitcom.\"[4](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-1988) Sheila Benson of the *Los Angeles Times* called the film \"excruciating\" and wrote that it obliterates the warmth and wit of the 1981 original, while praising Gene Callahan's production design.[11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-08-ca-6534-story.html) A *Christian Science Monitor* review was titled \"'Arthur 2' has everything going for it but a story.\"[12](https://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0708/lfl08.html)\n\nAt the box office the film opened at No. 3 in its first weekend, according to a *Los Angeles Times* weekend report.[13](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-12-ca-5555-story.html) Its US gross was $14.1 million.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks) A December 1988 *Los Angeles Times* video column noted that the film, priced at $89.95 on VHS from Warner, \"did not do stupendous business\" in theaters and disappointed many fans of the original.[14](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-16-ca-67-story.html)\n\n## Music\n\n[Burt Bacharach](https://www.edgepedia.org/burt-bacharach) composed the sequel's score and co-produced and co-wrote its theme, \"Love Is My Decision (Theme From Arthur 2 On the Rocks),\" performed by Chris De Burgh.[5](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS?cxt=filmography) The soundtrack also licensed songs including \"The Loco-motion\" performed by [Kylie Minogue](https://www.edgepedia.org/kylie-minogue), \"Secret\" by [Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark](https://www.edgepedia.org/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark), \"Gravity\" by Brenda Russell, and \"Speed Of Light,\" written by Debbie Gibson and performed by Reimy.[5](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS?cxt=filmography)\n\n## Versions and home media\n\nContemporary reviews gave conflicting running times: the *Hollywood Reporter* and *Screen International* listed 110 minutes, the *Los Angeles Times* 107 minutes, and *The New York Times* 112 minutes.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) Later listings give 1 hour 52 minutes[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks) or 1 hour 53 minutes.[2](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks) The film was rated PG and released in Dolby Stereo.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) Warner Bros. copyrighted it on 11 August 1988 under number PA382757.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS) It reached DVD on 15 February 2005 and is available digitally, with rental from $3.99 and purchase from $9.99 on major US platforms as of 2026.[15](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks/1001761/where-to-watch/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Arthur 2 On the Rocks (1988), AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS)\n2. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks)\n3. [Arthur 2 On the Rocks, AFI Catalog (history)](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2ONTHEROCKS?cp=1&pos=1&sid=848345cb-4175-46f1-955d-7f8a1cea7afd&sr=0.14852281)\n4. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks movie review, Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, 8 July 1988](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-1988)\n5. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks, AFI Catalog (songs)](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55715-ARTHUR-2-ON-THE-ROCKS?cxt=filmography)\n6. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/arthur_2_on_the_rocks)\n7. [Arthur (1981), AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56543)\n8. [Dudley Moore sober about 'Arthur 2', UPI, 1 July 1988](https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/07/01/Dudley-Moore-sober-about-Arthur-2/8106583732800/)\n9. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks DVD, musicMagpie](https://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/store/products/arthur-2-on-the-rocks/)\n10. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks DVD, Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/product/arthur-2-on-the-rocks-dvd/J3KZRYV38H)\n11. [Movie Review: 'Arthur's' Charm Dissipated in 'Arthur 2', Los Angeles Times, 8 July 1988](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-08-ca-6534-story.html)\n12. ['Arthur 2' has everything going for it but a story, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 1988](https://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0708/lfl08.html)\n13. [Weekend Box Office: Murphy Still Box Office King, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 1988](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-12-ca-5555-story.html)\n14. [New Video Releases, Los Angeles Times, 16 December 1988](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-16-ca-67-story.html)\n15. [Arthur 2: On the Rocks, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/arthur-2-on-the-rocks/1001761/where-to-watch/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Franchise and series entries as standalone works › Teen and comedy series film entries › Entries released before 1990*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Arthur 2: On the Rocks\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Arthur 2: On the Rocks](https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks](https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Arthur 2: On the Rocks\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-2-on-the-rocks. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Arthur 2: On the Rocks is the Bud Yorkin-directed sequel to Arthur, starring Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, and John Gielgud, in which Arthur loses his $750 million fortune; it grossed $14.1 million and was panned by critics." }