Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Tapawingo

Play trailer 2:17 Poster for Tapawingo 2025 1h 45m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 8 Reviews 98% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Tapawingo follows a 30-year-old oddball (Nate), who works a dead-end mailroom job and still lives in his mom's house. When Nate's boss orders him to pick up his social misfit son from school--it becomes clear the kid is being bullied. Nate finally gets the opportunity to do what he's always wanted: mercenary for hire. He forms a team of crack-shot wackadoos to protect the kid from the town's family of bullies who seem to have taken an especially keen liking to his client.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Tapawingo

Critics Reviews

View More
Tina Kakadelis Beyond the Cinerama Dome 5d
3/5
Tapawingo will speak to a generation that misses the oddball sincerity of the aughts and potentially win over some Napoleon Dynamite non-believers with its more fleshed-out narrative. Go to Full Review
Alise Chaffins MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack) Dec 22
3.5/5
...this movie is an off-beat, hilarious, silly story that is bright and incredibly watchable. Go to Full Review
Surya Komal Just for Movie Freaks Dec 22
3.25/5
Tapawingo manages to leave a positive impression with its quirky personality, visually playful filmmaking, and committed cast performances. Go to Full Review
John Stark Mac the Movie Guy Dec 14
60/100
You don’t need to rush to this, but if you’ve been waiting for Jon Heder to get his Napoleon mojo back, this is that film. Go to Full Review
Josh Bell Crooked Marquee Dec 3
D
The loose plot drags on for nearly two hours, but the tone never progresses beyond a condescending smirk. Go to Full Review
Lisa Johnson Mandell AtHomeInHollywood.com Dec 1
It’s like someone asked, "What if we gave Napoleon Dynamite a job, aged him up a decade, and threw him into a Charles Bronson revenge fantasy?" Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Tim S @TimShep 3d I was looking for a fun movie to watch and Tapawingo hit it out of the park! I’m a small town midwestern guy and it felt like this movie was made for me. I know people will compare this to Napoleon Dynamite but I don’t think it shares much except the lead actor (who does a fantastic job). The vibrant storytelling in this goes well beyond the typical 90 min comedy format. This longer form gives so much depth to the characters and has you rooting for even more from your favorites. (Mine were the twin brothers Glenn and Ben). I never write reviews but this was too good to not share my feelings. Pour a drink and give it a watch. See more Nina P @Nina2 4d Loved it!! Take me back to the days of Napoleon Dynamite entertainment!! Our family laughed at every aspect/angle on screen
even background happenings!😂😂 See more Hayden H @SkeeterVA Dec 21 We’ve all been there: late-night streaming hunts yielding nothing but sequels, reboots, or grim dramas, leaving you in a rut craving simple, mood-lifting comedy. Tapawingo nails that retro throwback vibe—think Napoleon Dynamite’s awkward charm meets indie vibe—delivering unforced humor and a soundtrack that elevates every quirky moment. This gem offers effortless laughs through oddball characters and feel-good escapism, perfect for resetting your mood without heavy plots or cynicism. Jon Heder’s return to form anchors the film’s lighthearted energy, making it a standout in a landscape short on pure joy. The stacked ensemble of seasoned actors (Billy Zane, Gina Gershon, John Ratzenberger, and Amanda Bearse), give this small-town story surprising weight. Seek it out on streaming—it’s the funny, nostalgic fix that ends the search. See more ALAN M @Winslow Dec 20 This is definitely a very fun movie, a welcome bit of dumb silliness and humor that looks intentionally low tech, low budget and dated. It is a welcome relief from seriousness and self pretentiousness. Made me LOL! It was a great introduction to adolescent humor that appeals to a certain generation. See more Kanani P @ZaniacKay Dec 19 Such a fun watch! The Jon Heder and Jay Pichardo friend duo is fun and heart warming! The movie is silly, quirky, and invites you to laugh at the absurdity of it! It’s a great mix of Napoleon Dynamite and some Wes Anderson moments! Totally loved it! See more Art G @SantasLittleHelper Dec 19 Tapawingo was a sweet, fun, and entertaining watch. Overall was super funny from the writing to the performances. Jon and Jay’s performances made for a really entertaining duo, and Kim delivered a fun and memorable performance as well. The story was lighthearted and enjoyable, making it an easy film to sit back and enjoy. See more Read all reviews
Tapawingo

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis Tapawingo follows a 30-year-old oddball (Nate), who works a dead-end mailroom job and still lives in his mom's house. When Nate's boss orders him to pick up his social misfit son from school--it becomes clear the kid is being bullied. Nate finally gets the opportunity to do what he's always wanted: mercenary for hire. He forms a team of crack-shot wackadoos to protect the kid from the town's family of bullies who seem to have taken an especially keen liking to his client.
Director
Dylan K. Narang
Producer
Dylan K. Narang, Jeff Robinson
Screenwriter
Brad DeMarea, Dylan K. Narang
Distributor
Indican Pictures
Production Co
Foggy Bottom Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 14, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 2, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.5K
Runtime
1h 45m
Most Popular at Home Now