Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
77%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Napoleon Dynamite is a film that defies categorization, blending elements of high school comedy, Wes Anderson-esque caricatures, and moments of sublime absurdity. While some may find the slow pace and awkward humor uncomfortable, others will appreciate the film’s smart approach to teen alienation and impossible dreams. The soundtrack is a standout, perfectly complementing the film’s singular personas and their 1970s fashion faux pas. While it may not be for everyone, those who embrace Napoleon’s unique brand of geekiness will be inspired to walk to the beat of their own drum.
Napoleon Dynamite is a movie that’s so weird, it’s actually cool. From Napoleon’s brown velour suit to his dance moves, this movie is a lesson in how to be yourself and not care what anyone else thinks. The characters are all caricatures, but they’re so brilliantly done that you can’t help but love them. The soundtrack is catchy and fits the movie perfectly. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a movie that’s both sweet and absurd, Napoleon Dynamite is the one for you.
Production Company(ies)
Ensemble
Distributor
Fox
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
London, England, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 26m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2004 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 21, 2004
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Diedrich Bader, directed by Jared Hess, written by Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess, comedy, PG rating, box office gross $44.5M, reviewed by Nell Minow, J.R Jones, Dave Calhoun, Philippa Hawker, Amy Biancolli, Nick Schager, Rob Gonsalves, Mike Massie, Mark Jackson, Rachel Wagner, Kaleem Aftab, budget, producer Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel, Access Films, Napoleon Pictures Limited, Fox, Surround Sound, Flat (1.85:1), campaign, class president, small-town, Idaho, awkward teen, fitting in, grandmother, accident, nostalgic uncle, Rico, Hispanic boy, English, friendship, quirky, funny, charming
Worldwide gross: $46,118,097
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $44,540,956
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $8,375,660
Production budget ranking: 1,737
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,510,293
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jon Gries – Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell – Kip Dynamite
Efren Ramirez – Pedro
Tina Majorino – Deb
Diedrich Bader – Rex Kwon Do
Director – Jared Hess
Producers – Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
Writers – Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Director(s)
Jared Hess
Writer(s)
Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Producer(s)
Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (175) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (126) | Rotten (49)
One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.
December 26, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
For most of its length this delivers a steady stream of uncomfortable gut laughs.
July 24, 2007
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It’s a cast of brilliant caricatures, and as such recalls the films of Wes Anderson.
June 24, 2006
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
I began to appreciate the neat reversals of expectations, slow pace and serene non sequiturs of the plot, the film’s smart approach towards teen alienation, ludicrous ambition and impossible dreams.
January 17, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/5
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Napoleon Dynamite may be forcefully weird and intermittently humorous, and you might not know what the heck to make of it, but there’s nothing shocking about its screenplay.
July 21, 2005 | Rating: B-
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Functions like an excruciating episode of Jerry Springer.
May 4, 2005 | Rating: D
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Those looking for credible developments should steer clear: the movie is all about the moment, the juxtaposition of the sublime and the absurd.
September 19, 2022 | Rating: B
Rob Gonsalves
Rob’s Movie Vault
The soundtrack is casual, catchy, and sensationally fitting, complementing the alternating weirdness and sweetness of the incredibly singular personas onscreen.
November 7, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Geek extraordinaire Napoleon thinks he’s dynamite, wearing his brown velour suit and other 1970s fashion faux pas like they were bestowed on him to be cooler-than-you in. You will be inspired to likewise walk to the beat of your own drum.
May 17, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
It actually lived up to the hype.
May 9, 2019 | Rating: A
Rachel Wagner
Rachel’s Reviews (YouTube)
This film can be utterly brilliant one minute and less than zero a second later. It’s an oddball film whose attempt at mainstream seduction may make it all too easy to overrate.
April 22, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Kaleem Aftab
The List
There’s something distinctly sour-tasting in how long the film lingers on its characters doubling-down on their awkwardness.
December 4, 2016 | Rating: 5/10
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy…
Plot
Napoleon Dynamite, an awkward teen in small-town Idaho, befriends a new student and together they launch a campaign to run for class president.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Napoleon Dynamite features a breakout performance by Jon Heder as the titular character.
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