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Entertainment • Film

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy-drama film directed by Chris Columbus. It stars Robin Williams as a divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly British nanny to spend time with his children. The film is based on Anne Fine’s 1987 novel Madame Doubtfire and was released in the United States on November 24, 1993.

Plot

The story centers on a father who, after losing custody following a divorce, disguises himself as a female housekeeper so he can be near his children. The deception creates both comedic situations and family conflict as he tries to balance his disguised role with his identity as their father.

Production and release

Mrs. Doubtfire was directed by Chris Columbus and written by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon, with Robin Williams among the producers. It was released in the United States on November 24, 1993, and has a runtime of about 125 minutes.

Reception and awards

The film received mixed critical reviews but was a major commercial success. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, while Robin Williams won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Source material

The film is adapted from Anne Fine’s novel Madame Doubtfire, published in 1987. The novel also centers on a father who poses as a female nanny after a divorce.

Key facts

  • The film follows Daniel Hillard, a recently divorced father who poses as Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay close to his children.
  • Robin Williams plays the lead role of Daniel Hillard.
  • The film was produced by 20th Century Fox and released in the United States on November 24, 1993.
  • It was based on Anne Fine’s 1987 novel Madame Doubtfire.
  • The film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
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Canadian context

The film is widely known in Canada as a major Hollywood family comedy and has been available through Canadian streaming and broadcast services over time, but no Canada-specific production or release details are established in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mrs. Doubtfire about?
It is about a divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly British nanny so he can spend time with his children.
Who directed Mrs. Doubtfire?
The film was directed by Chris Columbus.
Who stars in Mrs. Doubtfire?
The film stars Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, and Robert Prosky.
What is Mrs. Doubtfire based on?
It is based on Anne Fine’s 1987 novel Madame Doubtfire.
When was Mrs. Doubtfire released?
It was released in the United States on November 24, 1993.
Did Mrs. Doubtfire win any awards?
Yes. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

References

  1. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/
    Supports: Basic premise of the film about a divorced actor disguising himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary describing Daniel Hillard disguising himself as an older British woman to be hired as a nanny.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Doubtfire
    Supports: Directed by Chris Columbus; written by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon; based on Anne Fine’s novel; cast; release date; awards; box office.
  4. Disney+https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-3bc601f2-eaa5-4368-88b7-6b2b87bb00fa
    Supports: Runtime, release year, genre, director, cast, and synopsis.
  5. 20th Century Studios Familyhttps://family.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/mrs-doubtfire
    Supports: Release date, runtime, director, writers, producers, cast, and synopsis.
  6. Turner Classic Movieshttps://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/84089/mrs-doubtfire
    Supports: Plot premise about a father dressing as an old lady to become the children’s nanny.