Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)

44% of critics liked it
(126 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(369,569 ratings)

Hannah Montana: The Movie opens with Hannah's ($Miley Cyrus) hectic lifestyle wrecking the important relationships in her life. Because she gets into a catfight over shoes with Tyra Banks, she forgets to say goodbye when her brother leaves for college, and she's late for her best friend's sweet… More Hannah Montana: The Movie opens with Hannah's ($Miley Cyrus) hectic lifestyle wrecking the important relationships in her life. Because she gets into a catfight over shoes with Tyra Banks, she forgets to say goodbye when her brother leaves for college, and she's late for her best friend's sweet sixteen because she's being chased by the paparazzi. Anxious to get Miley back to her roots, her manager/father (Billy Ray Cyrus), whisks her away to their hometown in Tennessee, where he hopes grandma and the locals will help the selfish star reconnect to some simple family values. Since Miley wants to be Hannah most of the time, she hates being stuck in the backwoods town, but a cute young ranch hand -- and her grandmother's love -- eventually melts her heart. And, when the town needs to raise cash to stop a developer from soiling their perfect little community with a big, evil mall, what celebrity performer do you think might just show up to save the day? ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Sam W. Orender, Peter Chelsom
Written By: Dan Berendsen
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Apr 10, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Aug 18, 2009
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Cyrus, as always, is a professional charmer (it's hard to resist when she leads a hip-hop hoedown), and the crusty folkiness of Billy Ray Cyrus as her real-life dad is as welcome as ever.
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
The bottom line is that I don't think you are going to care.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
Aside from a few cameos and a big benefit concert to save her hometown from evil land developers, there's nothing really that makes the movie stand out from the TV show.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Thin as a flip-flop and as complicated as a scrunchy, the plot is barely enough for half a movie. At the 45-minute point, things are pretty much wrapped up.
Catherine Dawson March, Globe and Mail
The rest of the time it's up to Cyrus to keep things light, and her undeniable charisma radiates from the big screen as strongly as it does on the small one.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Assorted conflicts and adventures ensue, and the movie overall is painless if not exactly electrifying.
Neil Pond, American Profile
Basically super-sizes the formula of the successful television series for a Hannah-hungry audience of multiplex moppets.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
...More bittersweet, even melancholy, than it has any right to be.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Best approached as a test as to whether Cyrus has a future career once the hype inevitably blows out. And the answer is...
Sonny Bunch, Washington Times
Hannah Montana: The Movie isn't exactly high art, but that's not really the point, is it?
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The characters may be different, but we've seen the formula before in such films as Sweet Home Alabama (2002) and Hope Floats (1998).
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
As a fan film, Hannah Montana: The Movie rates a 7 or 8 out of 10, but if you judge it straight-up it's probably closer to a 6.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
A tweener-mesmerizing mix of music-induced mass hysteria coupled with some homespun cordiality courtesy of a colorful collection of harmless hicks.
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
A tweener-mesmerizing mix of music-induced mass hysteria coupled with some homespun cordiality courtesy of a colorful collection of harmless hicks.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Combo hick flick musical, big screen image cleanup community service stint and worst of both worlds hide and seek story, while chasing down that playing hard to get ho hum Marlboro boy next door.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
The film is sweet and innocent, just as one might expect. While not horrible, I can't heap praise on it either.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
...Hannah Montana: The Movie, its light and empty, cotton candy made out of sugar substitute, not the real sweet deal.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
It's predictable, it's overacted, it's little more than a longer version of the TV show -- and it's a guaranteed hit among loyal fans of the fictional pop star.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The way this movie ends is so wrong that it doesn't deserve a pass as frothy entertainment. Why? Because it's actively sending a bad message to kids. [Blu-ray]

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

John M

3 stars for what it was. A Disney extended TV show. 4 stars because my girls loved it and started dancing to hoedown throwdown!!! Classic!!!
Sophie B

I really dislike Hannah Montanna, I dislike Miley Cyrus as she's been made into something she's not (an idol and a brilliant singer/actress). I really hope she goes away as she's a really poor role model for children. Won't bother seeing this.
Brad W

One of the worst films in history.
Alexander D

Even worse than the unoriginal, boring 3D concert film. If this one had used the 3D aspect, I would have given this a half a star (no point in 3D) and declared Miley Cyrus the real world Krusty the Clown--in a way that she wants to scam everybody in order to become wealthy.
Dead A

Summary of my expression throughout the movie ---> <i>What is this? Is it a movie? Like seriously?</i> Anyway, I did watch the TV version of Hannah Montana (well 2/3 times and just to see what it was all about). It's pretty similar except she wasn't the only… More
Summary of my expression throughout the movie ---> <i>What is this? Is it a movie? Like seriously?</i> Anyway, I did watch the TV version of Hannah Montana (well 2/3 times and just to see what it was all about). It's pretty similar except she wasn't the only one on the screen. The ending (where the whole audience were promising to keep the secret) was the cheesiest part I've ever seen. Like really the whole lot of them? Honestly I've never understood why she was so famous. Now by seeing her audience (where the majority was young and can be easily hypnotized with anything sparkly or more like "Hello Kitty"), I understood. In conclusion, I just want to give one star because I did liked her song in the end "The Climb" and I truly adore it. It was really touching and inspiring. Other than that, this movie was a crap.
J P

Surprisingly, it was better than what I had anticipated. It was somewhat interesting and kept me watching, however it seemed unrealistic, especially at the end. Hundreds of people go to the Hannah Montana concert and none of them bring a camera?? And all those preteen girls with huge… More
Surprisingly, it was better than what I had anticipated. It was somewhat interesting and kept me watching, however it seemed unrealistic, especially at the end. Hundreds of people go to the Hannah Montana concert and none of them bring a camera?? And all those preteen girls with huge mouths won't say anything about Hannah's secret? That was a joke. It might have been heartwarming to some, but it really destroyed it for me.
Richard C

D
Dean M

Charming, irresistible and a ton of fun! This is my first time to watch Miley Cyrus' family fun movie adapted on TV series. I kept laughing to see Hannah Montana vs Tyra Banks make shoe shopping fight in the store. Music is good, likable, catchy and somewhat emotional, that song… More
Charming, irresistible and a ton of fun! This is my first time to watch Miley Cyrus' family fun movie adapted on TV series. I kept laughing to see Hannah Montana vs Tyra Banks make shoe shopping fight in the store. Music is good, likable, catchy and somewhat emotional, that song 'The Climb' isn't bad at all. Cyrus was at start kind of shaky and not so likable in my opinion, but later on everything was alright. Everyone else pretty much fit in good, as in any other higher-rated chick flick. Their acting on the other hand is silly, exactly on level of newer chick flicks.
William S

This one's dedicated to two people. Little Miss Edwards, who loves Ms Montana, and a certain Flixter friend - who shall remain nameless for fear of being tainted (Or maybe he's just a closet fan??) The premise of Hanna Montana is utterly preposterous - that all this girl… More
This one's dedicated to two people. Little Miss Edwards, who loves Ms Montana, and a certain Flixter friend - who shall remain nameless for fear of being tainted (Or maybe he's just a closet fan??) The premise of Hanna Montana is utterly preposterous - that all this girl needs to do is put on a blonde wig and no-one, including those closest to her, will know it's her? (even the dumb lug in a cowboy hat who falls for her). Though, to be fair, it?s certainly no less credible than Bruce Wayne or, even more so, Clarke Kent - who only has to slick his hair and remove his glasses and even Lois doesn't know him?! But maybe it's just because those stories are for the boys? Granted the characters are annoying beyond belief , the songs are the equivalent of someone screaming "LaLaLaLa!" down your lugholes for 90 minutes and the fictional alter ego creation, Hanna Montana, really doesn't cut the mustard as a stage presence at all. But it really isn't THE most awful thing I have had to endure on the screen. And (gulp) Miley Cyrus is actually almost likable (give her a few years and she may even have 'something'!). Either way, it was all worth it for the fun of seeing all the 6-10 year olds getting up and headbanging along to the songs - especially Little Miss E. Trashing this one really would feel like turning the music off at a school disco. Anyway, maybe it's in my genes but I have to admit to having a bit of a closet glee that kids are getting into musicals again. And Hanna Montana is harmless fun. But don't expect me to sign up to the Zac Efron fan club just yet
♥˩ƳИИ &

OK.. I had no interest in seeing this movie what so ever. But I have an eleven yr old niece I take care of who is a huge fan. I know I am gonna sound like a bad Aunt, but I refused to go to the theater and see this movie. I didn't think I could set through it.. But after weeks of… More
OK.. I had no interest in seeing this movie what so ever. But I have an eleven yr old niece I take care of who is a huge fan. I know I am gonna sound like a bad Aunt, but I refused to go to the theater and see this movie. I didn't think I could set through it.. But after weeks of her begging me to rent it or buy it I decided to rent it.. lol.. I can't believe I am gonna say this, but it wasn't awful as I had thought it would be. It was funny actually. I will end up buying it for her.. I am not that mean.. But I didn't wanna waste my money..lol.. So there.. I watched it and lived to talk about it..LOL..
Film C

I Absolutely loved it, im a huge fan of the series anyway and i love the film! I think this film was a good way of gettting rid of her childness and prove that she has grown up since the start of hannah montana, i think it shows you that she's Miley cyrus and no one else and its… More
I Absolutely loved it, im a huge fan of the series anyway and i love the film! I think this film was a good way of gettting rid of her childness and prove that she has grown up since the start of hannah montana, i think it shows you that she's Miley cyrus and no one else and its brilliant! Its still got the reat humour as the series and then all the problems she encounters but unlike the series it has more meaning and seriuosness i swear i nearly cried a few times as it did tear at the heart strings! Fantastic music and taylor swift gust stars! The Hoedown dance is bloody fantastic and so catchy! Its about miley going to tennesse but wanting to be in new york but as tim goes by she realises that its hard trying to live both worlds and isnt shore any more whether she wants to be ahnnah anymore ! This is a good movie not just for children at 16yrs i loved it!!
Alice S

To my new Flixster friends: please don't disown me, but I really enjoyed this movie! It's just a lot of fun! Jammin' tunes, decent performances, all around goofy, romantic, and nice. There are actually a few interesting cinematic moves too: the zoom-pan Travis… More
To my new Flixster friends: please don't disown me, but I really enjoyed this movie! It's just a lot of fun! Jammin' tunes, decent performances, all around goofy, romantic, and nice. There are actually a few interesting cinematic moves too: the zoom-pan Travis reveal, the revolving door sequence, the acoustic vamp of "Rock Star." I'm pretty much over Miley Cyrus' down-home diva attitude but her songs still get me dancing and singing along in my seat.
Bradley W

One of the worst films in history.
Will T

Yeah, this movie is bad, Miley and Billy Ray shouldn't act at all. Bad story, unbelievably bad character motivations, terrible songs, worst ending ever. Still, its not marketed towards me, so really, I can't give this a the worse score....
Luke T

Hannah Montana. Childishly vain, but what'd you expect? I don't actually have a major problem with annoying movies, or even immature movies. This is obviously both, but it's also very self-aware. I'm sure anyone who's seen this (or is going to see this) has… More
Hannah Montana. Childishly vain, but what'd you expect? I don't actually have a major problem with annoying movies, or even immature movies. This is obviously both, but it's also very self-aware. I'm sure anyone who's seen this (or is going to see this) has a massive set of bias and ideas of how the film will turn out... I'll go from the basics to more intricate opinions: -Does it suck? Simple answer, yes. It's certainly nothing special, and brings little to the table when it comes to the teeny-bopper melodrama/self-realization genre. -Is the story predictable? From the overall characters arcs, to the shallow dialogue, no moment of Hannah Montana: The Movie will come as a surprise to anyone (excluding those who tear up at HM concerts). -Does the acting make you wanna stick an icepick through your cranium. I wouldn't go that far (this movie isn't exactly for the same demographic as the Saw films), but there are some faint bright lights. Billy Ray Cyrus seems like he's winking at the whole project, which works. *Disclaimer* So I have to admit, I didn't see the last two thirds because I was at a friend's house and his nieces were watching it (no I didn't buy it, rent it, or watch it purposefully). I might watch the end for the sake of the review, and then I'll send the link in a message.
Jeff B

There comes a time in every man's life when he admits to himself that the idea of Superman using Clark Kent as a secret identity is actually a steaming piece of Kryptonite. He just loses the cape, adds some glasses, and the lemmings of the world are supposed to buy it hook, line,… More
There comes a time in every man's life when he admits to himself that the idea of Superman using Clark Kent as a secret identity is actually a steaming piece of Kryptonite. He just loses the cape, adds some glasses, and the lemmings of the world are supposed to buy it hook, line, and stinker, right? But disbelief is readily suspended ...because Superman is a freakin' American icon. For teen singing sensation Hannah Montana and her alter-ego Miley Stewart, however, a lot less latitude need be extended. A blond wig on a moppet cannot disguise this movie from anything other than what it truly is: a flimsy excuse to spur more music and toy sales from the Montana-obsessed kid set. In this G-rated musical-comedy spawned from the Disney Channel series, a young musical superstar (Miley Cyrus) heads to her Tennessee hometown after her popularity begins to take over her alter-ego's life. The plot (insert guffaw here) ultimately hinges on Montana/Stewart hanging it all up...but before her decision hits the audience with a deadening 'd'uh,' she bursts into songs, pratfalls and puppy love galore. It is supposed to have low humor and a simplistic story for a younger audience-yes, your reviewer gets it. But families deserve better than a bargain basement script and scenery-chewing cast. The film is less I Love Lucy's infamous grape-stomping scene and more just the stomped grapes. There is always a song break, however, as if to remind pint-size filmgoers that the soundtrack is available to download for a nominal fee. Bottom line: Achy breaky crap.
Nicolas K

I am not quite familiar with the TV series, but tdue the hype around it I have expected something above the averagfe family movie. Instead I saw yet another very predictable and not quite notworthy film, which included some popular, but entertaining at moments music. Not really a… More
I am not quite familiar with the TV series, but tdue the hype around it I have expected something above the averagfe family movie. Instead I saw yet another very predictable and not quite notworthy film, which included some popular, but entertaining at moments music. Not really a film for you if you are more than 14 years old.
m h

I noticed this was playing on TV, and decided to watch. And although I've always thought it was ridiculous that nobody ever figured out it was Miley in a freaking blonde wig...I've come to terms with that. Clark Kent wears glasses right? I know that Disney shows can… More
I noticed this was playing on TV, and decided to watch. And although I've always thought it was ridiculous that nobody ever figured out it was Miley in a freaking blonde wig...I've come to terms with that. Clark Kent wears glasses right? I know that Disney shows can sometimes be over dramatic.So, I didn't mind things like when her and Lilly stole a golf cart to get into her own concert. I didn't mind "Hannah" crashing Lilly's party. I think I can even overlook the fact that half time there was someone that could sing along, or dance along or play the background music to a song they were just hearing for the first time. It's a disney movie, it's supposed to be fun. BUT, the one thing I could not get behind was the fact that THE WHOLE TOWN kept her secret. That is absolutely ludicrous. There is not one person who needed to make a few bucks? No media personnel? Plus, I didn't really like the message behind it. I thought the movie was about going back to your roots...embracing who you are. And yet...after she sings The Climb (as Miley)...everyone wants her to be Hannah? That somehow they would rather have that version of her...than her true being? It just didn't sit well with me. Listen, if you're looking for a kids film to watch/rent...I recommend something else. There are LOTS of great kids movies that are better than this movie, convey a better message and are entertaining for both kids...and adults. The reason this gets 2 stars is I thought Miley did a decent job with acting...and it had its moments. It was that darn ending that ruined it for me.
Chris M

A complete mix of terrible direction and awful acting.
Donna D

I enjoyed this movie! Had some hilarious scenes and kept me laughing. A fun movie to watch.