RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
  • Bookmark and Share

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
71 %
Tomatometer

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted: 157

Fresh: 111

Rotten:46

Average Rating: 6.3/10

Consensus: A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic elements and language

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 11, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $44,478,018

Synopsis: Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and utterly original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a... Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and utterly original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a high-school outcast in every sense of the word. More interested in playing tetherball by himself and drawing pictures of his favorite animal, the "liger" (a combination of a lion and a tiger), Napoleon is ignored by everyone in his tiny hometown of Preston, Idaho. At home, things aren't much better: his uber-nerd older brother, Kip (Aaron Ruell), and ultra-vain Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) are too busy with their own obsessions to give Napoleon the time of day. It isn't until a new student, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), arrives that Napoleon finds friendship and performs an act of brave defiance that makes him a true hero. Written by Hess and his wife, Jerusha, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE brilliantly captures the awkwardness of high school without succumbing to condescension. Most of this can be attributed to Heder, who steps into Napoleon's moon boots with a jaw-dropping flawlessness. The rest of the cast is just as natural, underplaying their roles and letting the comedy unfold without forcing any of the jokes. Add a hilarious soundtrack of 1980s hits and you have an instant classic, a crowd-pleasing riot that has an undeniably universal appeal. [More]

Starring: Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez

Starring: Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Sandy Martin, Haylie Duff, Diedrich Bader

Director: Jared Hess

Director: Jared Hess
Screenwriter: Jerusha Hess, Jared Hess
Producer: Jeremy Coon, Sean Covel, Chris Wyatt
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • >
    >
    >
    >
  • >
    >
    Napoleon's Bike Jump
    >
    Napoleon Dynamite Trailer
    >
  • Napoleon Dynamite - Behind the Scenes Clip
    >
    Napoleon Dynamite - At the Dance Clip
    >
    Napoleon Dynamite - Rico's Portrait Clip
    >
1 - 4 of 11

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

May 12, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • NTSC
  • Keep Case
  • Dual Side

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Surround - Spanish
  • Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary: Jared Hess - Director; Jon Heder - Star; Jeremy Coon - Producer
  • Disc 1/Side A: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - Widescreen Version
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes: (5) With Commentary

Interactive Features:

  • Hidden Features: Easter Eggs

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Stills/Photos
  • Disc 1/Side B: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - Full Frame Version
  • Full Frame - 1.33

Additional Release Material:

  • Behind the Scenes: Making of the Wedding of the Century

Trailers:

  • 1. MTV On-Air promos
  • 2. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
  • 3. Product Trailers - Soundtrack Promo
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Napoleon Dynamite

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Napoleon Dynamite may not even be friggin' sweet, but it does have skills. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
02/10/09
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

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

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
07/24/07
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you have an indie film sense of humor -- and those of you who have it know what I mean -- you'll probably enjoy this flick.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/02/06
Mary Lasse
Christianity Today

too odd to dismiss and often truly funny

Full Review Source: Perihelion Journal | comment Comment
09/11/06
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal

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

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Dave Calhoun
Time Out

Seething with teen-angst irritability and an obstinate blind ignorance to just how much of an outcast he is, Napoleon Dynamite may be the biggest dork in the history of high school movies.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

As long as you don't mind making fun of the afflicted, there are some killer comic moments.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine

Delights in deadpan %u2013 celebrates nerd. And is a testament that beauty can be found everywhere. A charming, albeit quite odd cinematic piece. Harold and Maude -lite.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
03/20/06
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
01/17/06
Sydney Morning Herald

Napoleon Dynamite may be forcefully weird and intermittently humorous, and you might not know what the heck to make of it, but there's nothing shocking about its screenplay.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Leave this one for the dogs.

Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
06/21/05
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony

Functions like an excruciating episode of Jerry Springer.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
05/04/05
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

A Roschach test of viewer empathy… while I respect the concerns of those who find the movie cruel, I have to side with those who find it ultimately endearing.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
05/02/05
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

'March to the beat of your own drum,' the movie may say, 'but we will laugh at you.'

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
02/03/05
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

É recheado de estereótipos dos mais ofensivos, mas torna-se agradável e divertido graças ao apelo de seu personagem-título.

comment Comment
01/18/05
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

It’s honestly kinda sweet and moving -- the blissed-out celebration of the lurking outcast inside all of us.

Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine | comment Comment
12/28/04
Brent Simon
Now Playing Magazine
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
all

Latest News for Napoleon Dynamite

October 02, 2006: "Revenge of the Nerds" Remake Aims to Start Production
Effortlessly proving that Hollywood has officially run out of new ideas ... production is about to get underway on that "Revenge of the Nerds" remake we've been... More...

September 28, 2006: Box Office Guru Preview: Ashton vs. Ashton - This Time It's Personal
Ashton Kutcher fans get two chances to see (or hear) their favorite star this weekend as the Hollywood prankster takes on reigning box office champ "Jackass: Number... More...

September 28, 2006: Critical Consensus: 'Tis Not The "Season," "Guardian" Lacks Defenders, And "School" Flunks
This week at the movies, we've got jive talking woodland creatures ("Open Season," with Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher). We've got a school for Coast Guard rescue... More...

September 07, 2006: Box Office Guru Preview: Covenant Brings Evil to Theaters
After welcoming in four new wide releases per week for seven straight weekends, the North American box office slows it down a bit on Friday with only one saturation release and... More...

See More Topics...

Related Forums for Napoleon Dynamite

Click here to be the first to post a message on this forum.

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
79%
79%
Gran Torino
30%
30%
12 Rounds
23%
23%
Confessions of a Shopa…
—
The Code
39%
39%
Inkheart

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
22%
22%
Push
12%
12%
The Unborn

More New Releases…

RT On Current TV

What’s Hot On RT

Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry

Pt. 3: Cuaron's darker Prisoner of Azkaban

Best Mockumentaries

Best Mockumentaries

From Borat to Spinal Tap, this one goes to 11

Humpday Clip

Humpday Clip

An exclusive peek at the indie comedy!

Half-Blood Prince

Half-Blood Prince

How good is the 6th Harry Potter?

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: T.J. Hooker Film in Development
38
  • Warners Shortens Green Lantern Wishlist Source: Hollywood Reporter
134
  • Harold Ramis Talks Ghostbusters 3 Source: MakingOf.com
42
  • Spider-Man 4 Gets Its Third Writer Source: Latino Review
60
  • Warners Wins Favorable Ruling in Superman Case Source: Variety
20
  • Remo Williams Rides Again Source: Risky Biz
10
  • Mortal Kombat 3 Filming in September? Source: Slashfilm
82
  • MacGruber Gets a Director Source: Variety
39
  • PG-13 Turns 25 Source: VideoETA
8
  • Weekly Ketchup: Universal Takes on Asteroids
92
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
83
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
67
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Transformers and Ice Age Tie for Top Spot
59
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
53
  • Total Recall: Mock Docs That Rock
46
  • Critics Consensus: Bruno is Certified Fresh
44
  • Tomatometer Watch: How Good is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
44
  • Five Favorite Films with Kathryn Bigelow
39
  • RT on DVD: Knowing, Push, The Unborn Unleashed
28
  • Five Favourite Films with Jaime Winstone
20
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • RT Interview: Director Carlos Cuaron on Rudo and Cursi
0
  • RT Interview: Tony Scott on The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
10
  • Cannes 2009: RT Interview - Sally Hawkins on We Want Sex
2
  • RT Interview: Tilda Swinton on Julia
5
  • Hollywood Legend Debbie Reynolds Reflects On her Life in Showbiz
10
  • Exclusive: McG Talks Terminator Salvation
24
  • Georgia Groome - Fresh Talent on RT
5
  • RT Interview: Reading The Reader with Stephen Daldry
11
  • RT Interview: Oscar Nominee Melissa Leo
7
  • Carey Mulligan - Fresh Talent on RT
7
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Napoleon Dynamite at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Napoleon Dynamite at IGN
  • Napoleon Dynamite at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
Point-Counterpoint: Bruno
Point-Counterpoint: Bruno External Link

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The New Cult Canon
The New Cult Canon External Link

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

Tom Cruise's 10 Best Roles
Tom Cruise's 10 Best Roles External Link

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

A Baywatch Comedy?
A Baywatch Comedy? External Link

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.