Home
search
more | tips
SHOP NAPOLEON...
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.fr
IMDb > Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Napoleon Dynamite
[Add to My Movies]
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

advertisement
Register or login to rate this title
User Rating: 6.9/10 (59,138 votes)
Photos (see all 35 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2 videos )
IMDb Coverage of Comic-Con 2008

Overview

Director:
Jared Hess
Writers:
Jared Hess (written by) and
Jerusha Hess (written by)
Release Date:
27 August 2004 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove. more
Plot:
A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
10 wins & 18 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(22 articles)
Craig Zobel to rewrite ‘Loudermilk’ (From screeninglog. 14 July 2008, 3:59 PM, PDT)
Jon Heder to star in 'Loudermilk' (From digitalspy. 14 July 2008, 2:29 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Best movie of 2004 more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Bus otoko (Japan) (DVD title) [ja]
Dynamiitti Napoleon (Finland) [fi]
Napoleon Dynamite (Canada: French title) [fr]
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements and language.
Runtime:
82 min | Canada:86 min | USA:86 min (Sundance Film Festival)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Franklin, Idaho, USA more
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 6% since last week why?
Company:
Access Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Behind-the-scenes at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, Fox Searchlight engaged in a bidding war with Warner Independent Pictures over the distribution rights to this movie, until Fox Searchlight put in a last-minute bid of over $3 million, and won. They would later join forces with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films to distribute the film, a mere 17 days before its release. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Napoleon is yelling at Rico to tell him, "Grandma says to go home 'cause you're ruining everyone's lives and eating all our steak," the door behind Napoleon is alternately open/closed between shots. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Just Like Heaven (2005) more
Soundtrack:
The Rose more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
158 out of 285 people found the following comment useful:-
Best movie of 2004, 28 April 2004
Author: Cletus from Washington DC

This movie is a genx love fest and it made me feel better than any movie I have ever seen.

Essentially, this movie is a remake of "welcome to the dollhouse" and a lot of the other slacker-esque movies of that era. The film follows the misadventures of a complete loser (Napoleon Dynamite is a near sighted high school kid with a penchant for midevil warriors and tall tales), his best friend (the new kid in town, a Mexican immigrant who must comprehend life in rural Idaho), their shared love interest (she is deliciously quirky on her own), and a few other random characters (Napoleon's scheming "get rich quick" uncle and his internet chatroom obsessed loser 32-year-old-but-still-living-at-home brother).

In terms of story, this one is tops. All of the "good" characters grow and become much more than they were when the movie began. This film celebrates friendship at it's basest level and demonstrates the triumph of good people above overwhelming odds.

The true appeal of this movie though, for me, was the close attention that the director paid to making this movie feel like the early 1990's or late 1980's. Characters wear zubbas and hand out frienship bracelets. Even the vocabulary the actors use comes from this era (when was the last time you called someone "retarded", for example), but it is done so in such a genuine manner. The music and the style are very appropriate, and you can really feel the social awkwardness of Napoleon and his friends.

While this movie was made in many ways to appeal to those who can most relate to the awkward years of growing up (the unpopular kids, the new kid, the midevil warrior obessed clique, the metal heads, the stoners, all the general low lifes you probably associated with, or possibly were at school), this will nevertheless appeal to everyone else. The comedy is not made to be knee slapping, but it's sublety is wonderful and I found myself laughing throughout the entire film.

If you have ever rooted for the underdog, this is the movie for you. I can't spoil the ending for you, but for real, no movie has ever made me feel as happy and as inspired as this one. I can't wait to see what this director comes up with next!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
simone sillyjilly_90-2
The worst movie of all time mataplayer
Chicken farmer with the speech impediment ed_daniels45760
The more I watch this movie.. pin_cushion_queen
Uncle Rico: '' You know we cant afford the fun pack? ''. heartless_money_maker
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Grease Cry-Baby Liberty Heights Ferris Bueller's Day Off Hot Rod
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.