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Open Season

Play trailer Poster for Open Season PG Released Sep 29, 2006 1h 27m Kids & Family Comedy Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 102 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Boog (Martin Lawrence), a 900-pound grizzly bear, is content entertaining tourists and living in park ranger Beth's (Debra Messing) barn. His life takes a drastic turn when he rescues a one-horned mule deer named Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) from a hunter (Gary Sinise), and is subsequently tranquilized and returned to the wild. Elliot and Boog recruit the other animals, notably a Scottish squirrel (Billy Connolly) and a beaver foreman, to help turn the tables on the hunters to make the woods safe.
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Critics Consensus

Open Season is a cliched palette of tired jokes and CG animal shenanigans that have been seen multiple times this cinematic year.

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Critics Reviews

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Hank Sartin Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Matthew Leyland BBC.com In the end, the hunter becomes the hunted; but wouldn't the animal rights message mean more if you actually cared about the critters? Rated: 3/5 Oct 17, 2006 Full Review Time Out I have to say that the humour here (some of it Pythonesque) is mostly spot on and, at times, mischievously dark. Oct 14, 2006 Full Review Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) Open Season is just about everything that's wrong with modern culture. Aug 23, 2017 Full Review Jane Boursaw Common Sense Media Animated animal buddy flick is crude but funny. Rated: 3/5 Jan 1, 2011 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Animated children's movies should not glamorize criminal activity and war, but that's exactly what happens in "Open Season"... Rated: C- Apr 25, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Outstanding, and funny what a good family movie to watch with your family. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Speakerman G Este filme é bem mediano, com piadas as vezes boas e ruins, mas o filme é bom. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/25/25 Full Review BlueTop World b Omg, this movies actually kinda decent Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/18/25 Full Review Samuel O It's a pretty fun movie. I'm also giving it the benefit of the doubt because it was the first movie that I ever saw at the movie theater. So it's safe to say that the film has a special place in my heart. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/17/25 Full Review Transformer , Anime F Open Season, released in 2006 as Sony Pictures Animation’s first feature film, stands as an entertaining and visually charming entry in the early wave of mid-2000s CG-animated comedies. While it may not reach the emotional heights or narrative complexity of some of its Pixar contemporaries, it delivers exactly what it promises: lighthearted fun, energetic humor, and appealing animation. The story follows Boog, a domesticated grizzly bear voiced by Martin Lawrence, who finds himself stranded in the wild just as hunting season begins. He’s joined by Elliot, a fast-talking, one-antlered deer voiced by Ashton Kutcher. Their unlikely friendship drives much of the plot, as both characters stumble through survival, freedom, and self-discovery in the forest. One of Open Season’s standout qualities is its character animation. The stylized animal designs—slightly exaggerated and cartoonish rather than aiming for realism—help set a playful, welcoming tone. The voice cast leans into their roles with enthusiasm. Kutcher’s high-energy delivery as Elliot especially stands out, bringing a frantic charm that matches the character’s scrappy underdog personality. The humor lands solidly for its target family audience. There’s plenty of slapstick, some clever one-liners, and a few quieter character moments that add heart to the story. While the plot follows familiar beats—domesticated character finds wild roots, mismatched buddies learn teamwork—it’s paced briskly enough that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Musically, the film features a soundtrack co-written by Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, adding an unexpected pop-rock flavor. It won’t overshadow the visuals but adds texture to key scenes. If there’s a critique, it’s that Open Season plays things fairly safe narratively. It doesn’t push its story or characters into especially new territory. Some secondary characters and subplots feel underdeveloped. But for a studio’s debut animated effort, it establishes a solid foundation. Final Verdict: Open Season may not be a genre-defining animated film, but it’s a perfectly enjoyable one. Its mix of comedy, lively animation, and solid voice work makes it a good choice for families looking for a feel-good adventure. Rating: 7/10 — A fun, well-animated buddy comedy with enough charm to make up for its predictability. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/13/25 Full Review Desmond S This is a movie I loved watching years ago and now since I am older, what’s up with the hate? Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Open Season

Open Season: Official Clip - Mini-Mart Mayhem Open Season: Official Clip - Mini-Mart Mayhem 2:13 Open Season: Official Clip - Boog's Poop Open Season: Official Clip - Boog's Poop 2:18 Open Season: Official Clip - Forest 101 Open Season: Official Clip - Forest 101 2:54 Open Season: Official Clip - Fishin' & Huntin' Open Season: Official Clip - Fishin' & Huntin' 2:40 Open Season: Official Clip - You Are Home Open Season: Official Clip - You Are Home 2:59 Open Season: Official Clip - The Mighty Grizzly Open Season: Official Clip - The Mighty Grizzly 2:35 Open Season: Official Clip - Staging an Attack Open Season: Official Clip - Staging an Attack 2:49 Open Season: Official Clip - Hunting the Hunters Open Season: Official Clip - Hunting the Hunters 3:06 Open Season: Official Clip - Goldilocks the Bear Open Season: Official Clip - Goldilocks the Bear 2:47 Open Season: Official Clip - McSquizzy's Army Open Season: Official Clip - McSquizzy's Army 1:45 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Boog (Martin Lawrence), a 900-pound grizzly bear, is content entertaining tourists and living in park ranger Beth's (Debra Messing) barn. His life takes a drastic turn when he rescues a one-horned mule deer named Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) from a hunter (Gary Sinise), and is subsequently tranquilized and returned to the wild. Elliot and Boog recruit the other animals, notably a Scottish squirrel (Billy Connolly) and a beaver foreman, to help turn the tables on the hunters to make the woods safe.
Director
Jill Culton, Anthony Stacchi, Roger Allers
Producer
Michelle Murdocca
Screenwriter
Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman, Nat Mauldin
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation
Rating
PG (Mild Action|Brief Language|Some Rude Humor)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 29, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
DTS, Dolby SRD, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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