Throughout the film, Ben reads several self-help books on parenting. Each book features a photo of the author on the back cover. The author photos are John Ritter in various costumes. This was mirrored in Problem Child 2 (1991) when Lawanda Dumore's photos of previous husbands are all Ritter in costumes.
An ad campaign for this film included "reviews" from a number of famous movie villains:
"Four-star fun for the whole gang!" - Al Capone
"Two thumbs up!" - Captain Hook
"10 out of 10! Junior had me in stitches!" - Frankenstein
"This kid gives ME nightmares!" - Freddy Krueger
"Junior is a real cut-up!" - Leatherface
"I wish he were MY son!" - Darth Vader
"Don't have a cow! Just see this movie, dude!" --Bart Simpson
"Four-star fun for the whole gang!" - Al Capone
"Two thumbs up!" - Captain Hook
"10 out of 10! Junior had me in stitches!" - Frankenstein
"This kid gives ME nightmares!" - Freddy Krueger
"Junior is a real cut-up!" - Leatherface
"I wish he were MY son!" - Darth Vader
"Don't have a cow! Just see this movie, dude!" --Bart Simpson
Jack Warden agreed to be in the film after Dennis Dugan offered him half his net profits (a percentage negotiated beforehand of the net profit to a movie). Warden was so touched by the gesture that he agreed to take the role, but refused to take any of Dugan's potential earnings.
According to Dennis Dugan, the test screenings were disastrous, with 70 percent of the audience walking out, verbal complaints from viewers, and a score of only 30. The studio forced two weeks of reshoots, including a retooled ending and the addition of key scenes like the girl's birthday party.