The Iron Giant

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The Iron Giant

PG

Released Aug 4, 1999

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Fantasy

Action

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

145 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes' Cold War fable, a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small town of Rockwell, Maine, in 1957. Exploring the area, a local 9-year-old boy, Hogarth, discovers the robot, and soon forms an unlikely friendship with him. When a paranoid government agent, Kent Mansley, becomes determined to destroy the robot, Hogarth and beatnik Dean McCoppin (Harry Connick Jr.) must do what they can to save the misunderstood machine.

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Critics Consensus

The endearing Iron Giant tackles ambitious topics and complex human relationships with a steady hand and beautifully animated direction from Brad Bird.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The Iron Giant captures and crystallizes its source material's anxious, humane spirit. It might be the most empathetic and exhilarating mainstream American animated feature ever made.

Jun 18, 2018

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Tender, moving and exciting for kids (and their secretly tearful parents).

Rated: 4/5

Feb 11, 2016

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Watching this again 17 years after its original release, I savoured again the resemblances to Spielberg, Wilde and Brian Forbes's Whistle Down the Wind.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 11, 2016

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Every bit deserving of its instant classic standing.

Apr 12, 2025

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Iron Giant more than holds up over a quarter-century after its release.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 24, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Brad Bird’s cartoon fable in science fiction clothing and fairy tale trappings is a delightful throwback to the classic era of hand-drawn animated movies and delivers the most amazing little boy wish fulfillment fantasies.

Aug 19, 2023

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Rebecca v

One of the best animated movies ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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chad

What a great movie even better than I remember, everyone should go watch this now. Just do it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Jaime

A classic that still stands high to this day

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

SJS

Underappreciated gem! A bit violent for a kid's film, similar to The Incredibles, but still great. Lots of humor, voice cast is terrific, and excellent animation.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

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Kat

Nostalgic throwback I was able to share with my son, who is the age I was when it first released. He loved it! A classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

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jamie b

Its a beautiful story and well done.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

Full Review

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Brad Bird

Director

Jennifer Aniston

Annie Hughes

Eli Marienthal

Hogarth Hughes

Harry Connick Jr.

Dean McCoppin

Vin Diesel

The Iron Giant

Christopher McDonald

Kent Mansley

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Synopsis

In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes' Cold War fable, a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small town of Rockwell, Maine, in 1957. Exploring the area, a local 9-year-old boy, Hogarth, discovers the robot, and soon forms an unlikely friendship with him. When a paranoid government agent, Kent Mansley, becomes determined to destroy the robot, Hogarth and beatnik Dean McCoppin (Harry Connick Jr.) must do what they can to save the misunderstood machine.

Director: Brad Bird
Producer: Des McAnuff, Allison Abbate
Screenwriter: Ted Hughes, Brad Bird, Tim McCanlies
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Warner Bros. Animation
Rating: PG (Mild Language|Fantasy Action)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2008
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround

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