Napoleon Dynamite

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Napoleon Dynamite

PG

2004

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

172 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president.

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Critics Consensus

A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 26, 2010

4/5

One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Jul 24, 2007

For most of its length this delivers a steady stream of uncomfortable gut laughs.

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Dave Calhoun

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

It's a cast of brilliant caricatures, and as such recalls the films of Wes Anderson.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28, 2026

He's be a walking sight gag in any other film. Director Jared Hess makes Napoleon a special kind of hero at home in his eccentricities.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Sep 19, 2022

B

Those looking for credible developments should steer clear: the movie is all about the moment, the juxtaposition of the sublime and the absurd.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 7, 2020

10/10

The soundtrack is casual, catchy, and sensationally fitting, complementing the alternating weirdness and sweetness of the incredibly singular personas onscreen.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Napoleon Dynamite = a 3.5 star movie

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

instant classic so hilarious never fails to make me laugh this movie is awesome.

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Esteban C

@estebancruz Aug 29, 2026

probably the weirdest movie i’ve ever seen! i loved it. napoleon might be one of the best characters ever created and i’m here for it. pedro and deb and uncle rico are just the perfect complements for peculiar napoleon. this definitely is a unique and different genre of film that’s both comedic yet profound and rich in everything. from the sound, to the dance moves, to the way the characters talk, to the way that they dress, to the setting both indoors and outdoors, this movie has it all. emma chamberlain, i’ve never doubted you for a second. thank you for talking a lot about this masterpiece. also, vote4pedro

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Nick O

@ortiznickk Aug 14, 2026

such a great funny movie, how did kip pull though 😭

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Garrett P

@petersongarrett1991 Aug 3, 2026

One of the most overrated movies of all time very boring movie

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Kyle G

@gouldilocks Jul 16, 2026

One of a kind quirky funny movie. I quote this movie a lot haha

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Jared Hess

Director

Jon Heder

Napoleon Dynamite

Jon Gries

Uncle Rico

Aaron Ruell

Kip Dynamite

Efren Ramirez

Pedro

Tina Majorino

Deb

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Synopsis

In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in an accident, his life is made even worse when his strangely nostalgic uncle, Rico, shows up to keep an eye on him. With no safe haven at home or at school, Napoleon befriends the new kid, Pedro, a morose Hispanic boy who speaks little English. Together the two launch a campaign to run for class president.

Director: Jared Hess
Producer: Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
Screenwriter: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Access Films, Napoleon Pictures Limited
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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