The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)
84%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 1 nomination
This fun and moral tale entertains both first-time Seasame Street watchers and seasoned veterans
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland is a movie that will make you feel like a kid again, even if you’re a grown-up. It’s got all the classic Sesame Street characters you know and love, plus some new ones that are just as delightful. The puppetry is top-notch, and the story is heartwarming without being too cheesy. Sure, it’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. So grab some popcorn, snuggle up with your favorite blanket (or “Wubby,” if you prefer), and get ready for a fun-filled adventure with Elmo and friends!
Production Company(ies)
1+2 Seisaku Iinkai Atom Films, Atom Films,
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
EUE/Screen Gems Studios – 1223 N 23rd Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
1999
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 13m
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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): Oct 1, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2005
Genre(s)
Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Kevin Clash, Fran Brill, Stephanie D’Abruzzo, Dave Goelz, Joey Mazzarino, Jerry Nelson, directed by Gary Halvorson, written by Mitchell Kriegman, Joey Mazzarino, genre Adventure, box office performance $11.6M, budget unknown, reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Nell Minow, Liam Lacey, Lou Lumenick, Phoebe Flowers, Steven Rea, Rachel Wagner, Emanuel Levy, Linda Cook, John R McEwen, Chris Gore, Hazel-Dawn Dumpert, produced by Alex Rockwell, Marjorie Kalins, MPAA rating G, Elmo, Sesame Street, Grouchland, blanket, puppetry, children’s movie, Columbia Pictures, Surround sound, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, SDDS
Worldwide gross: $11,683,047
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $20,971,395
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,698
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,286,957
US/Canada gross: $11,683,047
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $20,971,395
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,399
US/Canada opening weekend: $3,255,033
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $5,842,875
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,070
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $26,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $46,670,725
Production budget ranking: 843
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $25,132,185
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$50,831,515
ROI to date (est.): -71%
ROI ranking: 1,810
Fran Brill – Zoe, Pestie, Prairie Dawn (Voice)
Stephanie D’Abruzzo – Grizzy, Pestie (Voice)
Dave Goelz – Humongous Chicken (Voice)
Joey Mazzarino – Bug (Voice)
Jerry Nelson – Count, Pestie, Grouch Mayor, Grouch Cop (Voice)
Director(s)
Gary Halvorson
Writer(s)
Mitchell Kriegman, Mitchell Kriegman, Joey Mazzarino
Producer(s)
Alex Rockwell, Marjorie Kalins
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (10)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Sesame Street fans will love this sweet movie.
September 2, 2010 | Rating: 5/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
How does it end? With a headache, of course, from all those cheering children.
March 22, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland won’t tickle anyone much above the age of 6.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
TOP CRITIC
It’s difficult for even the cynic in the audience to resist giggling at the sight of a grown man and a tiny-voiced Muppet arguing whether or not the Blanket an entire film has been built around should be called “Wubby” instead.
January 1, 2000
Phoebe Flowers
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
Older kids weaned on Sesame Street might get a kick of nostalgia at the sight of Big Bird, Maria, the Count and all.
January 1, 2000
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Love the creativity of the puppetry and the sweet message. Made for very small children but enough bonkers elements for adults to tolerate
May 12, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Rachel Wagner
Rachel’s Reviews (YouTube)
August 22, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
August 4, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
The character is bereft of subtlety, the lessons are simple, loud, and clear, and there is a suprising dearth of comedy.
February 8, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online
Good fun for the single digit aged set!
December 10, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/5
Chris Gore
Film Threat
The film is nothing if not benign, but its merits are moot for those above 7 or so.
October 1, 2002
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
L.A. Weekly…
Plot
Elmo loves his fuzzy, blue blanket, and would never let anything happen to it. However, a tug-of-war with his friend Zoe sends his blanket to a faraway land, and Elmo in hot pursuit. Facing life without his cherished blanket, Elmo musters all of his determination and courage and heads off on an action-packed rescue mission that plunges him into Grouchland, a place full of grouchy creatures, stinky garbage and the villainous Huxley. Along the way, Elmo learns an important lesson about sharing, realizing that he was selfish with his friend and responsible for what happened.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland features the voice talents of Kevin Clash as Elmo, Fran Brill as Zoe and Prairie Dawn, and Stephanie D’Abruzzo as Grizzy and Pestie.
Gary-Halvorson.jpg
