Contemporary reviews were positive. Andre Sennwald of "The New York Times" wrote, "If 'A Night at the Opera' is a trifle below their best, it is also considerably above the standard of laughter that has been our portion since they quit the screen. George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind have given them a resounding slapstick to play with and they wield it with maniacal delight." "The comedy material is always good and sometimes brilliant", reported "Variety". "This should be a laugh fest with all types of audiences", wrote "Film Daily". "This is a good Marx Brothers film, good as any they have done", wrote John Mosher in "The New Yorker". "It may not be new or surprising, but it's quick and funny."