Napoleon Dynamite

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Napoleon Dynamite

PG

Released Jan 17, 2004

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

173 Reviews

74%

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250,000+ Ratings

In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president.

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Critics Consensus

A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 26, 2010

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

For most of its length this delivers a steady stream of uncomfortable gut laughs.

Jul 24, 2007

Full Review

Dave Calhoun

Time Out

It's a cast of brilliant caricatures, and as such recalls the films of Wes Anderson.

Jun 24, 2006

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Those looking for credible developments should steer clear: the movie is all about the moment, the juxtaposition of the sublime and the absurd.

Rated: B

Sep 19, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The soundtrack is casual, catchy, and sensationally fitting, complementing the alternating weirdness and sweetness of the incredibly singular personas onscreen.

Rated: 10/10

Nov 7, 2020

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Geek extraordinaire Napoleon thinks he's dynamite, wearing his brown velour suit and other 1970s fashion faux pas like they were bestowed on him to be cooler-than-you in. You will be inspired to likewise walk to the beat of your own drum.

Rated: 4/5

May 17, 2020

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Horror fan 4

A classic and awkward comedy with a great cast. Vote for Pedro!! Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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C D

people who don't like this are probably 14 year old girls who only laugh at romantic comedies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Me and my children absolutely love this! It’s very funny and worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

Matthew H

Absolutely hilarious definitely recommend

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

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Noah G

A super funny movie with one note to add: Vote for Pedro

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Jo B

Understand this or not, for being a movie that is 20 years old, I wouldn't say it has fallen off in the slightest. Still has that awkward but funny charm that it did when it first came out in theaters. I will say though, if you have kids under the age of 13, this won't be a film to watch with them, mainly due to the films style of humor and because of that a younger demographic is going to have a difficult time understanding the films humor. This would also be the perfect movie to see with your partner on a date. Still holds up after 20 years, and is a timeless classic, 11/10.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

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Jared Hess

Director

Jon Heder

Napoleon Dynamite

Jon Gries

Uncle Rico

Aaron Ruell

Kip Dynamite

Efren Ramirez

Pedro

Tina Majorino

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Synopsis

In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president.

Director: Jared Hess
Producer: Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
Screenwriter: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Access Films, Napoleon Pictures Limited
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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