The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)

77% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(7,228 ratings)

One of the most popular characters on Sesame Street gets his own movie in this family comedy. Playful Elmo (voice of Kevin Clash) loves his blue blanket and would never want to lose it. So when it gets spirited off to parts unknown in the midst of a tug-of-war with one of his friends, Elmo sets out… More One of the most popular characters on Sesame Street gets his own movie in this family comedy. Playful Elmo (voice of Kevin Clash) loves his blue blanket and would never want to lose it. So when it gets spirited off to parts unknown in the midst of a tug-of-war with one of his friends, Elmo sets out to find it and ends up in the grumpy kingdom of Grouchland, where Huxley (Mandy Patinkin) and the Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams) rule over a dark and ill-mannered domain. Along with Elmo, several other favorite Sesame Street characters appear, including Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney), Ernie (Steve Whitmire), and Bert (Frank Oz). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Gary Halvorson
Genres: Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Oct 30, 2001
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
How does it end? With a headache, of course, from all those cheering children.
Betsy Sherman, Boston Globe
The Jim Henson folks, who earlier this year gave us Muppets from Space, come up with another winner.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland won't tickle anyone much above the age of 6.
Tom Keogh, Film.com
If you have an Elmo fan in your life, Elmo In Grouchland is a must.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Teens and young adults who have loved Sesame Street since childhood may just find themselves drawn to The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Older kids weaned on Sesame Street might get a kick of nostalgia at the sight of Big Bird, Maria, the Count and all.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Sesame Street fans will love this sweet movie.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
The character is bereft of subtlety, the lessons are simple, loud, and clear, and there is a suprising dearth of comedy.
Chris Gore, Film Threat
Good fun for the single digit aged set!
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert, L.A. Weekly
The film is nothing if not benign, but its merits are moot for those above 7 or so.
Cheryl DeWolfe, Apollo Guide
Kids who love Barney or the Muppets will undoubtedly feel right at home.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
The film isn't all it could be.
Marshall Fine, Gannett News Service
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland is a cause for celebration!
Phoebe Flowers, Miami Herald
It's difficult for even the cynic in the audience to resist giggling at the sight of a grown man and a tiny-voiced Muppet arguing whether or not the Blanket an entire film has been built around should be called "Wubby" instead.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael E

You can't say crap about the muppets, sesame street, or elmo
KJ P

I never really was a fan of elmo, even growing up as a kid, but now that I look back on this film that I did see in theatres, I find it quite good. I am still not a fan of elmo, but besides that fact, it's pretty good!
Luke B

A fairly wonderful outing for Elmo. Never my favorite character, but who can resist his charm? Elmo is probably best suited as the lead in such a film. He has the most wiggle room, personality wise. It's great to see The Count and Cookie Monster popping up, even if they are used… More
A fairly wonderful outing for Elmo. Never my favorite character, but who can resist his charm? Elmo is probably best suited as the lead in such a film. He has the most wiggle room, personality wise. It's great to see The Count and Cookie Monster popping up, even if they are used too briefly. Patinkin makes a very decent villain, and doesn't have to embarrass himself too much. Obviously, this is for very young children, but the trademark Sesame Street humor, enjoyed by all, remains in tact. The biggest problem is Burt and Ernie's constant interruptions, constantly giving away what happens. Damn those two!
Lanning :

My name is Elmo. You stole my blanket. Prepare to di-- Wait, wait, wait. No way Elmo would ever say something like that. It's inconceivable!Hey, flixsters, it's Elmo. You know me. This is an automatic 5 stars, even though Mandy Patinkin . . . well,… More
My name is Elmo. You stole my blanket. Prepare to di-- Wait, wait, wait. No way Elmo would ever say something like that. It's inconceivable!Hey, flixsters, it's Elmo. You know me. This is an automatic 5 stars, even though Mandy Patinkin . . . well, it has been a long time since Princess Bride . . . and I guess he's an okay villain . . . but, well, it is Elmo after all.

Cast

            Kevin Clash as Elmo

            Fran Brill as Pestie

            Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Grizzy

            Dave Goelz as Humongous Chicken

            Joseph Mazzarino as Bug

            Jerry Nelson as Count

            Martin P. Robinson as Pestie

            David Rudman as Baby Bear

            Carroll Spinney as Big Bird

            Steve Whitmire as Ernie

            Frank Oz as Bert

            Mandy Patinkin as Huxley

            Vanessa L. Williams as Queen of Trash

            Sonia Manzano as Maria

            Roscoe Orman as Gordon

            Carmen Osbahr as Rosita

            Alison Bartlett O'Reilly as Gina

            Ruth Buzzi as Ruthie

            Emilio Delgado as Luis

            Loretta Long as Susan

            Bob McGrath as Bob

            Bruce Lanoil as Additional Muppet Performer

            Lisa Sturz as Additional Muppet Performer

            Kirk R. Thatcher as Additional Muppet Performer

            Tim Parati as Additional Muppet Performer

            Harland Williams
            
            Matt Vogel as Additional Muppet Performer

            Andy Stone as Additional Muppet Performer

            Mark Harrison as Additional Muppet Performer

            Bill Barretta as Additional Muppet Performer

            Drew Allison as Additional Muppet Performer

            John Boone as Additional Muppet Performer

            B. Lee Bryan as Additional Muppet Performer

            Leslie Carrera as Additional Muppet Performer

            Lisa Consolo as Additional Muppet Performer

            Jodi Eichelberger as Additional Muppet Performer

            Rowell Gormon as Additional Muppet Performer

            Rob Killen as Additional Muppet Performer

            Bob Lynch as Additional Muppet Performer

            Ed May as Additional Muppet Performer

            Annie Peterle as Additional Muppet Performer

            Matt Yates as Additional Muppet Performer
See full cast