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Spy Kids

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Spy Kids

PG

Released Mar 30, 2001

1h 28m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Action

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Two young kids become spies in attempt to save their parents, who are ex-spies, from an evil mastermind. Armed with a bag of high tech gadgets and out-of-this world transportation, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) will bravely jet through the air, dive under the seas and crisscross the globe in a series of thrilling adventures on a mission to save their parents ... and maybe even the world.

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Critics Consensus

A kinetic and fun movie that's sure to thrill children of all ages.

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Edward Porter

Times (UK)

[The film has a] jaunty spirit and a few bits of weirdness worthy of Roald Dahl.

Aug 22, 2022

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Just the right combination of fantasy and comedy.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Lael Loewenstein

Variety

Fulfills kids' empowerment fantasies and features enough techno-wizardry and cool f/x to satisfy those weaned on videogames.

Mar 27, 2009

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A real winner, this finds Rodriguez offering up a deft blend of slapstick and surrealism.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 21, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[Director Robert] Rodriguez... has a real affinity with kids and fills their odyssey with such real world hurdles as sibling rivalry and lack of self confidence in addition to the wicked supervillains, enemy spies, and double agents.

Aug 20, 2023

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

It’s considerably colorful and entertaining while it spins in front of you; it’s also almost immediately forgettable.

Rated: B+

Sep 3, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

A peculiar film, but easy to love when you are a child. Although the effects are strange, it is clear what the director's purpose was in creating it this way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

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Emma F

A bit strange, but totally typical for a 2000s kids movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

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Dominic C

The main girl looks like my cousin but this was very forgettable

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

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Abiella M

What on earth is this? Its weird, yes, but not in a good way. Don't watch. I don't know WHAT the critics are thinking, but please, don't force any children to watch this.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

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matthias s

*"Spy Kids"* is a whirlwind of colorful chaos that’s exactly what you'd expect from a family-friendly adventure. The young cast delivers stellar performances, selling the absurdity with gusto. The story is imaginative, fitting for a film aimed at younger audiences, though the CGI has not aged gracefully—what looked cutting-edge in 2001 now feels charmingly retro. Alan Cumming steals the show as the flamboyant, eccentric villain, providing memorable moments with his over-the-top antics. While the film revels in its ridiculousness, it’s all part of its charm, making it a suitable choice for a family movie night. The absurdity and fun are enough to make it a nostalgic trip down memory lane, even if it doesn't quite hold up as well as its stars might like. Overall, it’s a decent watch for a good dose of family-friendly escapism.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Rich S

My biggest question is "why all the love from critics?" Yet, the movie fell short of a passing grade with audiences. My theory is the feeling of movie-goers pre 9/11 was much more in tune with the film. Watch it after 9/11, which is when a lot of people came along to do their own critiques, and Spy Kids, like Americans, lost their innocence. I watched it before 9/11 and don't remember disliking it. I didn't dislike it this time, but it missed the mark for me -- and, evidently, tens of thousands of other movie-watchers.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/22/24

Full Review

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Robert Rodriguez

Director

Antonio Banderas

Gregorio Cortez

Carla Gugino

Ingrid Cortez

Alexa PenaVega

Carmen Cortez

Daryl Sabara

Juni Cortez

Alan Cumming

Fegan Floop

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Synopsis

Two young kids become spies in attempt to save their parents, who are ex-spies, from an evil mastermind. Armed with a bag of high tech gadgets and out-of-this world transportation, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) will bravely jet through the air, dive under the seas and crisscross the globe in a series of thrilling adventures on a mission to save their parents ... and maybe even the world.

Director: Robert Rodriguez
Producer: Elizabeth Avellan, Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Dimension Films, Troublemaker Studios
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 30, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $112.7M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby EX, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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