The Emperor's New Groove

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The Emperor's New Groove

G

2000

1h 20m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor -- the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha. Together, they must return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off.

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Critics Consensus

The Emperor's New Groove isn't the most ambitious animated film, but its brisk pace, fresh characters, and big laughs make for a great time for the whole family.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

08/03/2010

4/5

More fun, goofy cartoon antics than Disney polish.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

11/16/2009

Ingenious action sequences driven by surprisingly little plot lead to a climax full of the transmogrification animation was invented for.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

09/08/2008

Emperor doesn't aim too high or strain too hard; it is at ease inhabiting its pretty, miniature realm.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Jan 5

Even the most risk-averse, anxiety-possessing children can look at this film and giggle because the film takes Kuzco’s evolution seriously and nothing else, making all the dangerous obstacles and deadly plots farcical and hilarious.

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Dec 9

4.5/5

Driven by terrific voice work and clever humor, The Emperor’s New Groove proves why it became a cult classic audiences still adore.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

01/17/2025

4/10

There’s a certain hipness and modernness to the characters and their conversations, providing a curious contrast to the ancient Incan setting, but it’s not enough to set it apart as a notable project.

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norriskeel

01/24/2021

still funny after all these years my step son actually sat through the whole thing amazing

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Mitchell S

@Mitchstur Apr 16

Sure Kuzko is an unlikeable character, but this movie is still funny, fast-paced and entertaining!

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Alex B.

@t1m3k33p4r Apr 3

One of Disney’s best movies, I really liked it and it is pretty funny

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Emerson H.

@movielover9 Mar 16

REWATCH: I actually rewatched this back in January ( 2026) and forgot to review it ( My goal for this year is to review every movie and tv show season I watch on rotten tomatoes account), so I had to review it. It had been quite a while since I had seen it, and it holds up very well, still hilarious 25 years later! 8.5/10

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Natasha R

@MsNatasha Mar 15

This movie is so hilarious! I didn't fully appreciate it as a child. Glorious. Disney Gold.

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Kymber H.

@SandlotLover17 Feb 28

Pull the lever Kronk. WRONG LEVER! Why do we even have that lever?

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Mark Dindal

Director

David Spade

Kuzco (Emperor)

John Goodman

Pacha (Llama Herder)

Eartha Kitt

Yzma

Patrick Warburton

Kronk

Wendie Malick

Pacha's Wife

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0%

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Synopsis

Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor -- the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha. Together, they must return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off.

Director: Mark Dindal
Producer: Randy Fullmer
Screenwriter: David Reynolds
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $89.6M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)