The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)

80% of critics liked it
(88 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(20,132 ratings)

The Nickelodeon cartoon series The Wild Thornberrys gets its first feature-length animated film, directed by show creator Cathy Malkasian with a screenplay by Kate Boutilier (writer of Nickelodeon's Rugrats in Paris). The main character is 12-year-old Eliza Thornberry (voice of Lacey Chabert), a… More The Nickelodeon cartoon series The Wild Thornberrys gets its first feature-length animated film, directed by show creator Cathy Malkasian with a screenplay by Kate Boutilier (writer of Nickelodeon's Rugrats in Paris). The main character is 12-year-old Eliza Thornberry (voice of Lacey Chabert), a braces-and-glasses-wearing eccentric girl in an adventurous family of travelers. Due to an interaction with a shaman, she has been granted the special power of communication with animals, as long as she promises not to tell anyone about it. Her powers are challenged when her parents, Nigel (voice of Tim Curry) and Marianne (voice of Jodi Carlisle), decide to take the family on an African safari to make a nature documentary. Also along for the trip is snobby sister Debbie (voice of Danielle Harris), feral youngster Donnie (voice of Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers), and pet chimpanzee Darwin (voice of Tom Kane). After her new Cheetah cub friend is stolen by poachers, Eliza is determined to get involved. However, the stuffy Thornberry grandparents get in the way by sending her to boarding school. It's up to Eliza and Darwin to defeat the poachers and save the cub. Also featuring the voice talents of Brenda Blethyn and Lynn Redgrave. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Cathy Malkasian, Jeff McGrath
Written By: Kate Boutilier
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Dec 20, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Bill Stamets, Chicago Reader
Screenwriter Kate Boutilier provides plenty of sharp patter.
Charles Passy, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An entertaining feature-length version of the Nickelodeon TV cartoon.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Thumbs up for The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Doesn't do more than expand a TV show to movie length. However, it's pleasant enough and its ecological, pro-wildlife sentiments are certainly welcome.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Outstanding entertainment for little ones but just as rewarding for their adult companions.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
The animated redhead is the gutsiest young female heroine to hit the big screen since the live-action ladies in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Wholesome but also has kid appeal.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Splendid entertainment for the 8-12 age group and good fun for just about everyone else.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
Nickelodeon's animated explorer family runs into poachers in Africa in a sometimes-fun adventure that occasionally collapses into flat, savanna-like stretches.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
The film's draughtsmanship is more than adequate, the voicing of the characters excellent, and the songs are way above average for such fare.
, Empire Magazine
Better-than-average.
Derek Adams, Time Out
A decent soundtrack rounds off a surprisingly engaging and energetic little-kids' adventure.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Great fun for animal lovers.
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus
Amenable parents can watch this with the little ones instead of just using the DVD or VHS tape as a virtual nanny . . .
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
Adults will be bored into slumber, and even kids deserve something with a little more bite.
Tom Meek, Boston Phoenix
It's a fun family safari chock full of environmental lessoning.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Evokes a little of the fear that parents have for the possible futures of their children--and the sometimes bad choices mothers and fathers make in the interests of doing them good.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Pretty good half-term holiday fare.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The Game Demo alone is a notable ROM feature, but even then hardcore fans of the Nickelodeon show may already have the full version on their computers.
, FilmFour.com
It may not pull off any state-of-the art animation coups, but The Wild Thornberrys Movie understands that strong characters and involving storytelling are still the bottom line in a quality kids' film.

Read all 22 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Brad W

I loved this when I was a kid, but its only for people who know the show well like I did, but now its just an okay movie.
Michael E

a fantastic to screen adaptation of the TV show
Luke B

Just an overlong episode really. Contains nothing at all new accept a few of the voice cameos and a bigger budget. Some nice humour and family friendly action scenes though.
Bradley W

I loved this when I was a kid, but its only for people who know the show well like I did, but now its just an okay movie.
Dillon L

Sorry RottenTomatoes, I did not enjoy it. My four year old cousin did though.
Bradley J

A pleasant and very funny animated film based off of one of my favorite shows as a kid. Overall Rating: 79
Andrew F

It is a successful adaptation of the entertaining series on Nickelodeon. It is, however, a little cheesy at points.
Sunil J

Wow. This is such a good family movie, I've only seen a little bit of the show but the movie stands on its own.
Leo L

Loved the show, loved this movie!