Holes

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Holes

PG

2003

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

138 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

An award-winning bestseller comes to life when young Stanley Yelnats, dogged by bad luck stemming from an ancient family curse, is sent to Camp Green Lake, a very weird place that's not green and doesn't have a lake. Once there, he's thrown headlong into the adventure of his life when he and his colorful campmates—Squid, Armpit, Zigzag, Magnet, X-Ray and Zero—must dig a hole a day to keep the warden at bay. But why? Through it all, Stanley and company must forge fast friendships as they try to unearth the mystery of what's really going on in the middle of nowhere.

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Critics Consensus

Faithful to its literary source, this is imaginative, intelligent family entertainment.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Holes isn't just a movie to see, it's also one to be proud of.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Ed Park

Village Voice

Brims with storytelling flourishes and gently deployed life lessons that even accompanying adults may dig.

Apr 22, 2003

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

[T]here's too much going on, and none of it is executed well enough to recommend.

Apr 21, 2003

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Emma Clark-Dow

The Post NZ

Holes was one of the defining shows of my childhood – and is still a really thought-provoking watch 15 years later.

Jul 14, 2023

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Smart, funny and truly original, it's a film capable of entertaining its young target audience as well as the parents who come along for the ride.

Rated: A-

Nov 15, 2019

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

In the true Disney spirit, Holes is for the young and old alike. Substantive, well told, well executed. There is something here to satisfy the entire family...

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

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Edward B

Ok but over rated ...average at best

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

Full Review

Klayton H

Holes is one of those rare movies that feels just as magical watching it now as it did years ago. The story, adapted from Louis Sachar’s beloved novel, weaves together past and present in a way that’s clever, heartfelt, and endlessly engaging. The cast is perfect — Shia LaBeouf delivers one of his most charming early performances as Stanley Yelnats, and every supporting character, from Zero’s quiet strength to the Warden’s chilling presence, is memorable. The film nails its balance of mystery, humor, and emotional depth. It’s a story about friendship, fate, and redemption, with layers that connect beautifully by the end. The dusty, sun-scorched setting feels almost like a character itself, and the soundtrack brings just the right mix of grit and warmth. It’s a film that makes you laugh, pulls on your heartstrings, and leaves you with that rare “everything came together perfectly” feeling. Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting it, Holes is pure storytelling gold — a timeless treasure that earns every one of its five stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Christopher C.

This is a movie that looks deeper into the self than one might think. Heartfelt, funny, and sad all in one great package.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

James E

One of the best family movies of its time, with great messages and wonderful acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

Marcus T

Your typical Disney treacle. I thought I had seen this and liked it. I was wrong. Good cast. Bad script. I did see it through to the end, but it didn't get any better. Did I mention I don't like Disney movies.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Dark F

This movie is a masterpiece

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

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Andrew Davis

Director

Sigourney Weaver

The Warden

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Synopsis

An award-winning bestseller comes to life when young Stanley Yelnats, dogged by bad luck stemming from an ancient family curse, is sent to Camp Green Lake, a very weird place that's not green and doesn't have a lake. Once there, he's thrown headlong into the adventure of his life when he and his colorful campmates—Squid, Armpit, Zigzag, Magnet, X-Ray and Zero—must dig a hole a day to keep the warden at bay. But why? Through it all, Stanley and company must forge fast friendships as they try to unearth the mystery of what's really going on in the middle of nowhere.

Director: Andrew Davis
Producer: Andrew Davis, Mike Medavoy, Lowell D. Blank, Teresa Tucker-Davies
Screenwriter: Louis Sachar, Louis Sachar
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Walden Media, Chicago Pacific Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements|Mild Language|Violence)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 13, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $67.3M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby EX, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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