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Napoleon Dynamite

Play trailer 1:11 Poster for Napoleon Dynamite PG 2004 1h 36m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 172 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 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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Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite

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Critics Consensus

A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brad This is my friends favorite movie and I eventually eat it during the summer and it's very funny 🤣 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/25 Full Review Patrick G. All time comedy classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/15/25 Full Review George W. This movie is great, funny jokes, a plot that makes sense and a musical dance number!? That’s all that matters to me. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/15/25 Full Review Iliya D. This movie is OK. Nice story and I can see that character development, but why do people like it so much??? It’s pretty ordinary, and I guess funny? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/11/25 Full Review Chase T one of the funniest movies ever. vote for pedro. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Cookie M One of the funniest and best movies I've ever saw. Peace out ✌️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Napoleon Dynamite

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Movie Info

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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