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Recess: School's Out

Play trailer Poster for Recess: School's Out G 2001 1h 22m Kids & Family Comedy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 68 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The school year is finally over, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to a fun-filled summer. Boredom quickly sets in until T.J. uncovers a scheme to do away with summer vacation! Former principal Dr. Benedict, who once tried to eliminate recess from the school day, now plans to use a laser beam to alter the weather and create permanent winter. It sure would be tough to go to school year-round, so T.J. calls in all his friends for help.
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Recess: School's Out

Recess: School's Out

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Critics Consensus

Though basically a TV cartoon stretched out to movie-length, Recess has enough successful jokes and smart writing to make it a worthwhile view.

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Critics Reviews

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Malcolm Ritter Associated Press 01/18/2018
The kids will like this animated romp about summer vacation, and so will the adults sitting next to them. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/28/2010
2/5
Simply a TV episode blown up for the big screen. Go to Full Review
Geoff Andrew Time Out 06/24/2006
Its well characterised comedy of playground manners and teasing social awareness rings confidently through. Go to Full Review
Chris Gore Film Threat 12/06/2005
4/5
It has my favorite characters and it's kind of like a mystery. Go to Full Review
John R. McEwen Film Quips Online 02/08/2003
3.5/5
If you have to take the kids to a low-rent cartoon, this experience at least is enjoyably trippy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Alexander S Oct 20 For you 90’s babies who grew up watching cartoons on Saturday mornings and after school especially Recess on the Disney Channel (or Family Channel in Canada), Recess: School's Out is without a doubt a lifetime blast from the past, and as a fan of the show, I enjoyed seeing the characters in a feature-length movie. While it's geared towards kids who grew up with the series, it's a lighthearted film that's enjoyable for all ages and foremost…Scandalous! Grading: B See more Dino G Apr 18 I just watched this today with my dad on Disney+ and we really liked it! The film is a fun experience, not as good as Atlantis: The Lost Empire (my favorite Disney film), but still an enjoyable watch with the friendships between T.J, Vince, Spinelli, Gus, Gretchen, and Mikey and the villain is fleshed out. See more Cameron L @1Kokoroisenough Mar 21 Not Disney's grooviest movie ever, but it's passable. What's the weirdest rendition of the adaptation is they put 60's songs which is kind of strange, but I thought it was fine. The biggest pro is James Woods as the villain. He's no shock the best part of the movie. His plans are so adorably ridiculous that I crack up every time. I like the lesson of "Grown-ups aren't just strict all the time, and they were once kids, too" as I wish it went off longer, though. The animation is decent for a movie like this, and the screenplay, although ordinary, is still fun to watch See more Lucas A 06/18/2024 This movie was the perfect ending to the Recess story (though I know they made more). You saw a greater depth behind the characters that you hadn’t seen before, namely Principal Prickly. I found myself laughing even 24 years later at a few of the scenes. This is a great movie, it’s an every summer watch for me as an adult. My only gripe is the somewhat out-of-place usage of the computer animation at times. The ending shot of this film always makes me tear up some, especially after Dabney Coleman’s recent death. Long live recess! See more Noe G 04/06/2024 Recess schools out it's one of my favorite Disney films from 2001 I give this film a 10/10 See more Brooklynn T 09/27/2023 Loved The TV Show and The Movie Is Best Film To Have Ever Made Based on a TV Show from the 90s. A Must See For All Ages! See more Read all reviews
Recess: School's Out

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Movie Info

Synopsis The school year is finally over, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to a fun-filled summer. Boredom quickly sets in until T.J. uncovers a scheme to do away with summer vacation! Former principal Dr. Benedict, who once tried to eliminate recess from the school day, now plans to use a laser beam to alter the weather and create permanent winter. It sure would be tough to go to school year-round, so T.J. calls in all his friends for help.
Director
Chuck Sheetz
Creator
Paul Germain, Joe Ansolabehere
Producer
Paul Germain, Joe Ansolabehere, Stephen Swofford
Screenwriter
Joe Ansolabehere, Paul Germain, Jonathan Greenberg, Jonathan Greenberg
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Television Animation
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 16, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$36.7M
Runtime
1h 22m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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