This movie was released in 1987.
I remember it being a huge sleeper hit. No one thought a movie about a Bigfoot done as a comedy would be nearly as successful as it turned out to be.

This movie fits right in with the rest of the 80's feel-good movies - 
But it has something a bit more than most of those movies, and even though it is a feel-good movie it leaves you feeling good but doesn't cover up that feeling with a thick layer of cheese.
The movie also doesn't give you the feeling you are being manipulated through it all, even though you can almost predict it all directly scene to scene.

There is something about the family -  

The reluctant hero/sensitive husband
The doubting/supportive wife
The self-centered/compassionate teenage daughter
The aggressive/befriended young son
The annoying/helpful dog

That doesn't end up being totally cliche.

A lot of the strength of the movie sprouts from John Lithgow.
As the every-day man, sometime outdoorsman, father-pressured George Henderson, Lithgow walks the perfect line in this comedy between loving father, head of the household, burgeoning muscle masculinity and a man who ends up being all three while ultimately doing the right thing.

Complete credit has to be given to the character of Harry.
The creature himself is so incredibly expressive, he immediately captures the screen and holds your attention throughout the entire film.

This film won the Academy Award for Makeup, and should have - the character of Harry is alive and well and without him as he is, the film would have failed miserably.

Rick Baker created Harry and Kevin Peter Hall played the part of Harry.

This is not your normal feel-good 80's movie with a gimmick thrown in.

This is a good film anyone of any age can enjoy.

I wish more movies like this were made.

IMDB page is here.
Official movie trailer is here.