The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)

40% of critics liked it
(97 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(374,598 ratings)

Teen queen Lizzie McGuire grows up a bit and hits the big screen in this comedy drama, based on the popular Disney Network series. Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her best friends Kate (Ashlie Brillault), Gordo (Adam Lamberg), and Ethan (Clayton Snyder) have just graduated from middle school, and… More Teen queen Lizzie McGuire grows up a bit and hits the big screen in this comedy drama, based on the popular Disney Network series. Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her best friends Kate (Ashlie Brillault), Gordo (Adam Lamberg), and Ethan (Clayton Snyder) have just graduated from middle school, and to celebrate, they're taking part in a class trip to Rome, Italy. Eager to celebrate their new maturity as high school students, Lizzie and her pals hope to live it up in one of Europe's most fabled cities, but fate has something more spectacular in store for Lizzie. Lizzie discovers that she bears a striking resemblance to Isabella, an Italian teen-pop idol famous for her duets with heart-throb Paolo (Yani Gellman) -- so much so that when Paolo and Isabella have a falling out, he asks Lizzie to take Isabella's place for an upcoming concert. Lizzie, however, isn't sure she feels comfortable stepping into the spotlight, and is even less sure about the way she feels about Paolo, who makes no secret of his infatuation with her. Things don't get any simpler for Lizzie when her family gets wind of her newfound fame, and catch the next flight to Italy. The Lizzie McGuire Movie also features Robert Carradine and Hallie Todd as Lizzie's parents, and Jake Thomas as her younger brother Matt, all of whom reprise their roles from the television series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Jim Fall
Written By: Susan Estelle Jansen, Edward Decter, John J. Strauss
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: May 2, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Aug 12, 2003
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Critic Reviews

Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
Director Jim Fall has orchestrated Lizzie's dream vacation with energy and humor.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... [Duff's] a very charming young actress, but the material just isn't there.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Doesn't try to be more than what it is: a romantic fantasy caper.
Jane Horwitz, Washington Post
A smug, cutesy music video/ fashion show for [Hilary] Duff.
Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star
The story is essentially flawed, and so is the presentation.
C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle
For what it aspires to be -- and we're not talking Sense and Sensibility here -- it works.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
The target audience will absolutely adore it.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the end result is an effort that'll surely have a much more positive effect on fans than on neophytes to the Lizzie McGuire saga.
James Plath, Reel.com
Young girls (and boys in love with Hilary Duff) will love this film, while parents will probably just roll their eyes.
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
No one will claim that the pre-teen market is saturated with movies for girls, thus The Lizzie McGuire Movie is a welcome addition that fills the bill...
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
A fantasy that teaches girls that popularity and material possessions are the most important things in life and will fall right into your lap if you're adorable enough.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
As driving-around-in-the-car-with-the-top-down, putting-on-your-lip-gloss, loving-life moviemaking, it's all good.
Annette Dasey, Teletext
Lizzie may be cheesy and disappointingly straight-laced but all in all she's a bit of fun.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Brad W

Disney is kind of ruining the film industry with shit like this.
Alexander D

Bad
Bethany M

The songs had you wanting to dance along and sing and it's a real teen movie. I think I'll always have a soft spot for this film. It's a guilty pleasure and Lizzie McGuire was a noughtie's favourite on the Disney Channel. Smart move making a film from it.
Matt G

Saw this years ago by accident on a plane. Seriously, only if you are a fan of the T.V. show then see it, if you aren't, stay FAR away.
Bently L

Cute, sweet, funny and watchable. We were never big fans of the series but the movie does satisfy. Though tween girls are the film's demographic, it has humor for guys and adults. Good family film. "We're going to the place where they invented spaghetti!"
KJ P

The Lizzie McGuire Movie fails to present what is brought up so well in the series on TV, but brings a whole new level of genius to the screen. I need to watch this again and again to see if what I believe about the series is different or not, but for now, I think it is a worthy… More
The Lizzie McGuire Movie fails to present what is brought up so well in the series on TV, but brings a whole new level of genius to the screen. I need to watch this again and again to see if what I believe about the series is different or not, but for now, I think it is a worthy contender in disney films. Not as a stand alone classic, but as a kids movie that anyone can enjoy!
Cassie H

Junior high graduate Lizzie McGuire travels to Rome on a class trip with her classmates & best friend Gordo. The movie takes place right where the show left off. After Lizzie's last day of 9th grade. Everyone is excited & on their first night in Rome, Lizzie & Gordo… More
Junior high graduate Lizzie McGuire travels to Rome on a class trip with her classmates & best friend Gordo. The movie takes place right where the show left off. After Lizzie's last day of 9th grade. Everyone is excited & on their first night in Rome, Lizzie & Gordo promise to have adventures together. Lizzie gets the first one when she throws a coin in the Trevi Fountain. International superstar Paolo, thinks she is Isabella, his old singing partner. He asks Lizzie if she can meet him in front front of the Trevi Fountain the next morning, but she says she can't. Gordo tells her that he will cover for her & she meets him the next day. They tour the city & Lizzie almost gets busted but Gordo stalls their chaperone, Miss Ungermyer. She continues to sneak out with Paolo, get made over & she falls in love with him & eventually becomes his singing partner for an awards show in Rome. Gordo is jealous because he has been in love with Lizzie for forever. When Lizzie is about to get in trouble Gordo tells Miss Ungermyer that he was the one sneaking out & she sends him home. When he's at the airport Gordo runs into Isabella, who tells Gordo that she was the one that wanted to go solo & that Paolo is the one that lip syncs. Gordo & Isabella go to the awards show to tell Lizzie & at first she doesn't believe them but when she does, she goes out to perform & the crew backstage turns Paolo's mike down so that everyone will know that he can't sing. Lizzie finishes off the performance & Paolo's bodyguard, Sergei, resigns. Back at the hotel there is a party & Kate & Ethan enjoy spaghetti while Matt shows the hotel manager, Georgio, his blackmail tape of Lizzie, who throws it in a fountain. The movie ends with Gordo & Lizzie having their last adventure in Rome by going up to the roof of the hotel & sharing a kiss. Fireworks soon spark which is the perfect end to this disney jewel. Another Hilary Duff film that I recommend to fans of this great series & Hilary Duff herself.
Richard C

D
Dead A

Sometimes it seems a bit stupid.
Wahida K

I rather stuck on the Lizzie McGuire TV Show.
danny d

i know, theres something wrong with me, but i loved this stupid movie
Jennifer X

i did not see this by choice, but this movie surpassed my expectations of it. surprisingly okay at some points. obviously still pretty bad but it was the type of movie that can still keep me entertained.
Dan S

Kill me now.
Rachel F

Waste of money
Claire L

EW
Sophie B

this is ok n really funny when he gets shown up lol
Kalel J

Hilary Duff is one of the most pretentious, egotistical people on the planet and her Hilary Duff movie proves that to the world. In one of the most shameless plugs that she could have possibly done she has crafted this film around her supposed 'singing talents' which by the… More
Hilary Duff is one of the most pretentious, egotistical people on the planet and her Hilary Duff movie proves that to the world. In one of the most shameless plugs that she could have possibly done she has crafted this film around her supposed 'singing talents' which by the conclusion will leave any person with half a teaspoon of musical and film taste left tortured by this nonsensical plot. However, in it's own merits the Lizzy Maguire movie will obviously appeal to the girls, but there are certain scenes that general audiences will enjoy, namely the comedy relief by Adam Lamberg.
Bradley W

Disney is kind of ruining the film industry with shit like this.
Dillon L

Maybe the fans of Tv series will like it. I don't know, and frankly I don't care. The plot is childish and the actors should stick to television.
Bryce I

The fans, as well as the immature parents will be satisfied, but there isn't much in the way of normal movie goes.