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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events PG 2004 1h 47m Kids & Family Comedy Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 158 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
After the three young Baudelaire siblings are left orphaned by a fire in their mansion, they are carted off to live with their distant relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). Unfortunately, Olaf is a cruel, scheming man only after the inheritance that the eldest Baudelaire, Violet (Emily Browning), is set to receive. The children escape and find shelter with their quirky Uncle Monty (Billy Connolly) and, subsequently, their phobic Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep), but Olaf is never far behind.
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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Critics Consensus

Although it softens the nasty edges of its source material, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a gothic visual treat, and it features a hilariously manic turn from Jim Carrey as the evil Count Olaf.

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Critics Reviews

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Hank Sartin Chicago Reader Episodic but entertaining. Nov 15, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Book's fans will enjoy, but too creepy for some. Rated: 3/5 Dec 25, 2010 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out It's all a bit superficial, but highly entertaining, wickedly funny, and alluring enough to make you want to start reading the books. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Carrey is just playing Carrey (which is great if you like him and obnoxious if you don't), but the child actors are solid, and the costumes, make-up and art direction are outstanding Rated: 3/5 Oct 15, 2024 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies This film is endlessly dark and gloomy for a kids story. But somehow, it works. Rated: 4/5 Jan 17, 2016 Full Review Garth Franklin Dark Horizons Whilst the direction and script seem off, the rest of the production work is excellent. Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joel H A Series of Unfortunate Events does a great job of creating an atmosphere and setting a tone. Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Count Olaf is, of course, highly entertaining to watch, but I was particularly impressed by the convincing performances of Liam Aiken and Emily Browning. However, the filmmakers tried to cram three books into one movie that’s under two hours long, barely skimming along the surface. There’s also the unfulfilled potential of a film that thinks it’s going to be part of a series. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is good, but it leaves a lot of loose threads hanging. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/03/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Scary Situations, Brief Language and Thematic Elements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Released by DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/25 Full Review Oaklee D A fun yet incredibly creepy film that feels like something that would be at home in Tim Burtons filmography, Jim Carrey makes this film even better with his over the top performance. Definitely worth a watch, although it may be too scary for some children. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/25 Full Review Kat S I absolutely love this movie, and have loved it ever since I was a kid! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Tom H Jim Carrey is brilliant! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review Glynnis E My favorite. Rewatched on May 16-18, 2025. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/18/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Cast & Crew

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Brad Silberling

Director

Jim Carrey

Count Olaf

Liam Aiken

Klaus Baudelaire

Emily Browning

Violet Baudelaire

Kara Hoffman

Sunny

Shelby Hoffman

Sunny

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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Trailer 1 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Trailer 1 2:01 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - The Baudelaire Children Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - The Baudelaire Children 1:59 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - Hurricane Herman Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - Hurricane Herman 1:59 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - We're Too Late Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - We're Too Late 2:13 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - Aunt Josephine Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - Aunt Josephine 1:53 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - The Letter That Never Came Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: Official Clip - The Letter That Never Came 2:07 View more videos
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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY A scene from the Film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events starring JIM CARREY View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After the three young Baudelaire siblings are left orphaned by a fire in their mansion, they are carted off to live with their distant relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). Unfortunately, Olaf is a cruel, scheming man only after the inheritance that the eldest Baudelaire, Violet (Emily Browning), is set to receive. The children escape and find shelter with their quirky Uncle Monty (Billy Connolly) and, subsequently, their phobic Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep), but Olaf is never far behind.
Director
Brad Silberling
Producer
Albie Hecht, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Screenwriter
Robert Gordon, Daniel Handler
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
Scott Rudin Productions, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, DreamWorks SKG
Rating
PG (Scary Situations|Brief Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 17, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$118.6M
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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