Napoleon Dynamite
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36
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  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Eric Campos
    90
    The cast playing these eccentric characters is magnificent...This is definitely one of the most unique comedies you’ll see all year.
  2. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Melissa Levine
    90
    It's charming. It's hilarious. It is perhaps the most beautifully crafted, lovingly rendered portrait of extreme geekitude ever to grace the screen. It's Napoleon Dynamite.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    90
    Jon Heder in the magnificent Napoleon Dynamite, is one of the most winning movie creations in years.
  4. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    83
    If you're sick of the gross-out gags and sex jokes of contemporary teen comedy, this defiant blast of idiosyncratic individuality just could be your tonic.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 524 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 295 out of 375
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 375
  3. Negative: 66 out of 375
  1. MannyC.
    2
    What gets me is how this thing killed at Sundance?!? What a terrible, unnessessary, boring self-degrading film. Jared Hess is a loser, Jon Heder is a loser and will never act again. Cheap, unapolagetic writing; sorry and tired sight gags. Tim P. gave this a ten "becasue were all dorks". Tim even dorks need a plot, and a reason to be dorks. Dorks also need a supporting cast and something better to do than help Mexican dorks. We're all dorks, but were all not Napoleon Dynamite, and we all dont concern ourselves with sorry talk show guests of people, and while we all may be dorks, my and probably even your movie wouldnt suck as much as this one does. … Full Review »
  2. brad
    4
    Not that funny, not that clever. Laughed only once. Disjointed, boring story.
  3. grandpajoe6191
    6
    The movie's decent, that's all.
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