Napoleon Dynamite

PG

Now Playing

1 hr. 26 min.

Comedy

List

72%

175 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico (Jon Gries), shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), 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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Michael B

The humor is so untraditional, but in its innocence it provides wonderful humor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

Full Review

Eric W

If there’s only one movie I could watch before I die, this one is it. I know it’s not for everyone, and I truly feel sorry for those people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Moses H

I actually dont understand how you can make a movie this good. words cannot express the greatness of this movie and the deep sadness i feel that troubles the haters of this movie. My family first watched this like 2 years ago, and GLORY i honestly nearly cried when napoleon threw his action figure out of the bus window XDDDDD SO GREAT MUST WATCH LITERALLY ART

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Caedmon F

I can quote this whole film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Aender S

Great quirky comedy, especially recommendable if you're a Jamiroquai fan. The best scene of this film involves one of the band's tune.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Taylor H

A staple of the early 2000's. Though Napoleon Dynamite doesn't have anything steering it narratively— it is filled with fantastic characters, composition, and laughter.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

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

Deb

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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

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Synopsis

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

Director: Jared Hess
Executive Producer: Jeremy Coon, Jory Weitz
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
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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