James and the Giant Peach

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James and the Giant Peach

PG

1996

1h 20m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

75 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Featuring stop-motion animation and live action, this inventive adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's tale follows the adventures of James (Paul Terry), an orphaned young British boy. Forced to live with his cruel aunts (Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes), James finds a way out of his bleak existence when he discovers an enormous enchanted peach. After rolling into the sea inside the buoyant fruit, James, accompanied by a crew of friendly talking insects, sets sail for New York City.

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Critics Consensus

The arresting and dynamic visuals, offbeat details and light-as-air storytelling make James and the Giant Peach solid family entertainment.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Dahl himself thought his book would be impossible to translate into film, and for all the ingenuity that's been thrown at the screen, perhaps he was right. This overgrown peach never ripens.

Feb 23, 2018

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Dave Kehr

New York Daily News

The film is a technical tour de force, featuring a wealth of inventive design ideas. But James never develops the emotional dimension that Nightmare possessed.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 11, 2014

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

A snappy, fun adaptation that entertains young viewers without speaking down to them.

Nov 11, 2014

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

As such, the film is a strong piece for youngsters, but doesn’t quite resonate on other levels.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 4, 2022

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Underrated animated film from director Henry Selick

Nov 14, 2021

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Zaki Hasan

Zaki's Corner

...valiantly attempts to convey the amazement and childlike sense-of-wonder so characteristic of the late Dahl's books, and while it does succeed occasionally, more often than not it falls flat.

Rated: C

Apr 12, 2019

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dede w

as someone who was born in 2010's, not really much of a fan of 1900's movies, this movie was soooo goodddd, I recommend to watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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Maddison V

Really lovely, I love this movie even now as an adult

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Cade H.

James and the Giant Peach is an anjoyable movie with great visuals, animation, story, and characters alike. The concept of James taking a rather bleak situation and developing from it through the discovery of the peach is inspiring. While the film might not have as much punch as Coraline, it is certainly an animated film everyone in the family will take something from and enjoy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Stephen C

LOL, 1 hour and 20 minutes of animated humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $28,946,127.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

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Audience Member

A nice little movie about a child standing up to his abusive guardians. Finding friendship at last. 4/5 stars.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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Julian S

One of the more accomplished Roald Dahl adaptations, with a design that remains timeless.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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Synopsis

Featuring stop-motion animation and live action, this inventive adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's tale follows the adventures of James (Paul Terry), an orphaned young British boy. Forced to live with his cruel aunts (Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes), James finds a way out of his bleak existence when he discovers an enormous enchanted peach. After rolling into the sea inside the buoyant fruit, James, accompanied by a crew of friendly talking insects, sets sail for New York City.

Director: Henry Selick
Producer: Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi
Screenwriter: Roald Dahl, Karey Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Skellington Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $28.9M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround

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