How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)

58% of critics liked it
(72 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(47,246 ratings)

The new kid at school faces up to the school bully by taking on a challenge no one has the guts to try in this family-oriented comedy. Billy (Luke Benward) is an 11-year-old boy whose folks have just moved to a new town and is facing the terror of his first day at a new school. It doesn't take long… More The new kid at school faces up to the school bully by taking on a challenge no one has the guts to try in this family-oriented comedy. Billy (Luke Benward) is an 11-year-old boy whose folks have just moved to a new town and is facing the terror of his first day at a new school. It doesn't take long for Billy to run afoul of Joe (Adam Hicks), the school bully, who finds the live bait Billy brought with him and throws it in his face, asking Billy if he eats worms for lunch. Billy tries to gross out Joe by saying yes, he eats worms on a regular basis, and Joe calls his bluff by challenging him to eat ten worms in front of the student body. Billy takes the bet, and suddenly becomes something of a celebrity at school as the first kid to stand up to Joe. Billy also discovers he's caught the eye of Erika (Hallie Kate Eisenberg), a cute girl in his class, but can he actually eat the worms without losing his lunch? With the help of a handful of new friends, Billy preps for the big contest by learning how to eat as much gross stuff as he can, and he gains an unexpected ally in hot-headed Principal Burdock (James Rebhorn). Based on the popular children's book by Thomas Rockwell, How to Eat Fried Worms also features Tom Cavanagh, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Clint Howard. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Bob Dolman
Written By: Bob Dolman
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 25, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Dec 5, 2006
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli, ReelViews
...Isn't about or for anyone past puberty.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's actually kind of disgusting and gross, and I'm sure that's the point, but I don't see the entertainment value in watching a kid eat one worm after another, after another, after another.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
This is a story that could have gone way too far in the direction of the touching tale illustrating how kids overcome their fear of being ridiculed -- but instead maintains a buoyant irreverence.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Worms has its share of kid-friendly gross-outs but is actually a sweet-natured look at standing up to bullies.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
It's a pleasant and well-intentioned end of summer diversion that doesn't possess the imagination-stoking qualities of a premier children's movie.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fried Worms is a Hoot with more laughs, funny enough, so long as you don't consider the worm's point of view.
Jane Boursaw, Common Sense Media
A gross-out movie with a sweet story.
Shirley Sealy, Film Journal International
[The actors are] all believably mischievous--and, when the need arises, they're also convincingly courageous in taking a moral stand.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
With its universal themes about fitting in, How To Eat Fried Worms is an endearing family film guaranteed to provide a wriggling good time. While the premise has a certain gross-out factor which will delight eleven year old boys, the script is clever, and
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
not particularly original or effective
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
"How to Eat Fried Worms" is a tasty little treat for grade-school kids.
Camerin Courtney, Christianity Today
Throughout this fifth-grade Fear Factor, there are scattered lessons on the ills of bullying, the benefit of being true to yourself, the joy of true friendship. But really, what boy is going to remember a moral when there's an exploding worm?
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
This is a movie for kids in the 8-12 range who see it as something that reflects their own lives. You may not care about How to Eat Fried Worms, but your kids will.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
Yes, the movie can be outstandingly irritating. But it's also a lot of fun, with keen instincts on kids' love for the gross-out.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One of the most amateurish essays in excruciating tedium I've encountered in a year that's hardly lacked for tedium.
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
...The direction is lackluster, the child actors - with the exception of Eisenberg - are pretty dismal, and the whole thing is about 15 minutes too long.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
The lessons about bullying and standing up for yourself aren't forced too strongly, giving How to Eat Fried Worms the same appeal as the best Little Rascals shorts.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alexis N

It's a cute kid's movie. Worm Boy is adorable.. but I can't really relate in any kind of way to this prepubescent story.
KJ P

I love how the kids are very stupid! It is so fun that I forget how ridiculous it is!
Bobby H

The movie was decent. It was based off of the book and had decent simularities - as always the book is better but the movie did do it some justice. It's a fun film to watch, especially with your family, but is obviously focused on material for younger-children. It's worth… More
The movie was decent. It was based off of the book and had decent simularities - as always the book is better but the movie did do it some justice. It's a fun film to watch, especially with your family, but is obviously focused on material for younger-children. It's worth a watch atleast one time and then from there maybe good to see again if you have kids.
Cassie H

Funny!!!!!!!
Leigh R

It was kinda cute...
Dannielle A

Cute. Good for kids... however, adults may get bored.
Juan C

a grossingly fun time watching this. a gret family comedy that yes is gross, but has some flavors on it's own. this is a film kids will like and parents will find it intresting. A
Jackson W

Strictly speaking, nothing but childish drivile getting its big screen two cents
Lee K

gross film, but the son liked it
Leo L

Hilarious! I definitely remember reading the book as a child. It was great then, it still is within this film.
Nicky M

Read the book as a kid and loved it so the movie gave me warm memories. The book is still far better but nice kids movie with a few ewwwwwws and laughs and very positive messages.