Napoleon Dynamite

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1:11

Napoleon Dynamite

PG

2004

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/26/2010

4/5

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

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

07/24/2007

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

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Dave Calhoun

Time Out

06/24/2006

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

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

14h

He's be a walking sight gag in any other film. Director Jared Hess makes Napoleon a special kind of hero at home in his eccentricities.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/19/2022

B

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

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/07/2020

10/10

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

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Kyle G

@gouldilocks Jul 16

One of a kind quirky funny movie. I quote this movie a lot haha

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Spooky M

@spooktober Jul 14

It’s the greatest piece of art America will ever create and I was proud to see it in theaters.

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Vee P

@RT15629255 Jul 12

this was genuinely one of the funniest movies i’ve ever watched! i know the humour isn’t for everyone, but i loved it. the isolated setting and awkward character relationships somehow made it even funnier. i would totally recommend this to anyone who has a weird sense of humour!

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Movie M

@Movie_man123 Jul 2

This funny cult classic with a nostalgic colorful vibe is a AMAZING comedy Mr Napoleon is super funny and has hilarious quotes and is quirky and very relatable and silly. And all the characters make the movie click into place. This movie is so funny and just pure diamond, No! Make it platinum! THIS MOVIE IS A MUST WATCH!

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Graham O.

@goczki Jun 15

A fun movieto laugh with friends and realize how stupid funny it is. Always a good laugh.

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Adam N

@RT93209334 Jun 13

"Napoleon Dynamite" is a masterful comedy, and an excellent portrayal of Northwestern life in the 2000s. Its humor is subtly delivered through the expertly timed actions of a colorful cast of characters, whose lines are among the most quotable of any film. John Heder's performance as the deadpan, socially awkward Napoleon is Oscar-worthy, and one of the most entertaining roles of the 2000s. Overall, this film has more than earned its status as a cult classic, and is among the greatest indie films ever made.

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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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Napoleon Dynamite: Trailer 1

1:11

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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)