Bolt (2008)
84%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
1 win & 32 nominations total
Bolt is a pleasant animated comedy that overcomes the story’s familiarity with strong visuals and likable characters
Bolt is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels. It’s got a dog who thinks he’s a superhero, a cat who’s a diva, and a hamster who’s just along for the ride. John Travolta brings Bolt to life with his vibrant energy, and the animation is top-notch. Sure, it’s a bit sentimental at times, but who doesn’t love a good heartwarming story? Bolt is a must-watch for anyone who loves dogs, cats, or just a good old-fashioned adventure. So grab some popcorn, snuggle up with your furry friend, and get ready to be struck by Bolt!
Production Company(ies)
Pathé Renn Productions, France 3 Cinéma
Distributor
Walt Disney
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Walt Disney Feature Animation – 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some mild action and peril
Year of Release
2008
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:SDDS Dolby Digital EXDTS-ES
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 36m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2008 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2009
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton, directed by Chris Williams, Byron Howard, written by Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams, comedy, adventure, PG, box office performance, $114.1M, reviewed by Nell Minow, Edward Porter, Anthony Quinn, Peter Bradshaw, Tim Robey, Matt Bochenski, Richard Crouse, Jason Best, Richard Propes, Sergio Benítez, Nikhat Kazmi, Debbie Lynn Elias, animated, dog, television show, New York, Hollywood, cat, hamster, owner, peril, mild action, Walt Disney, Clark Spencer, SDDS, flat (1.85:1)
Worldwide gross: $309,979,994
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $426,985,597
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 362
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 46,563,315
US/Canada gross: $114,053,579
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $157,104,447
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 494
US/Canada opening weekend: $26,223,128
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $36,121,357
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 358
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $150,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $206,619,268
Production budget ranking: 103
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $111,264,476
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $109,101,853
ROI to date (est.): 34%
ROI ranking: 1,223
Miley Cyrus – Penny (Voice)
Susie Essman – Mittens (Voice)
Mark Walton – Rhino (Voice)
Malcolm McDowell – Dr. Calico (Voice)
James Lipton – The Director (Voice)
Director(s)
Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Writer(s)
Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams
Producer(s)
Clark Spencer
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
1 win & 32 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (189) | Top Critics (58) | Fresh (169) | Rotten (20)
February 18, 2012 | Rating: B
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
The jokes aren’t a match for Pixar’s best, and there’s too much sentimentality (as if Lasseter were determined to keep Disney’s cartoons just that little bit less cool than Pixar’s), but this is still an above-average children’s film.
February 12, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
Edward Porter
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The plot is sentimental fluff. But this has energy and invention enough to keep Lasseter top of the heap.
February 10, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Tremendously lovable and funny stuff.
February 6, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Wittier by the reel, Bolt is can’t-miss family entertainment, and a glad relief from the solemnities of award season.
February 6, 2009 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Bolt is a damn enjoyable and undeniably funny film.
February 6, 2009 | Rating: 3/5
Matt Bochenski
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Despite its treatment of cats as the Rodney Dangerfield of the animal kingdom – they just can’t get no respect – is solid entertainment for the whole family.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
A joy from start to finish.
November 19, 2020
Jason Best
Movie Talk
John Travolta is a vibrant, energetic and high-spirited puppy extraordinaire.
September 3, 2020 | Rating: 3.0/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
A film that closes with a spectacular and emotional climax. [Full Review in Spanish]
April 22, 2020
Sergio Benítez
Espinof
This one’s a fun film for the entire family, with little lessons on love and friendship you can carry home with you. Lessons you learn from a dog, a cat and a hamster.
February 28, 2020
Nikhat Kazmi
The Times of India
Laughter, heart, action adventure, animation and above all love. So ‘bolt” off that couch and “zoom zoom” to the nearest theatre and get struck by BOLT. This is one lightening strike you don’t want to miss!
November 7, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens…
Plot
Bolt, an American white shepherd, has lived his whole life on the set of his action TV show, where he believes he has superpowers. When separated from the studio by accident, he meets a female alley cat named Mittens and a hamster named Rhino. He’s trying to find the way home, to the studio. Along the way, he learns that he doesn’t have superpowers and that the show is not real.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels review for Bolt.
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