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Recess: School's Out

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Recess: School's Out

G

Released Feb 16, 2001

1h 22m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

69 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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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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Malcolm Ritter

Associated Press

The kids will like this animated romp about summer vacation, and so will the adults sitting next to them.

Jan 18, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Simply a TV episode blown up for the big screen.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Its well characterised comedy of playground manners and teasing social awareness rings confidently through.

Jun 24, 2006

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Chris Gore

Film Threat

It has my favorite characters and it's kind of like a mystery.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

John R. McEwen

Film Quips Online

If you have to take the kids to a low-rent cartoon, this experience at least is enjoyably trippy.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 8, 2003

Full Review

Dwayne E. Leslie

Boxoffice Magazine

This is a smart story and well paced.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 5, 2002

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Dino G

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

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Cameron L

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Lucas A

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!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

Full Review

Noe G

Recess schools out it's one of my favorite Disney films from 2001 I give this film a 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

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Brooklynn T

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

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Omar F

I love this movie! So much nostalgia. Also beautiful animation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/23

Full Review

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Chuck Sheetz

Director

Andrew Lawrence

T.J. Detweiler

Rickey D'Shon Collins

Vince Lasalle

Pamela Adlon

Ashley Spinelli

Jason Davis

Mikey Blumberg

Ashley Johnson

Gretchen Grundler

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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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