- Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Release Date: Oct 16, 2009
User Score
6.4
out of 10
Generally favorable reviews- based on 320 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 203 out of 320
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Mixed: 25 out of 320
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Negative: 92 out of 320
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StuartC.Dec 20, 200910Easily one of my favorite films of the year, and possibly the decade. A beautifully constructed tale of childhood, told in a majestic way by Jonze. A masterful combination of CGI and real costumes and locations allows for a greater emotional impact, bringing the Wild Things out of the pages and into our hearts. Fantastic Film 10/10.
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CarolineMDec 28, 20092Not at all what I was expecting. When it started I thought I was watching an amateur movie trailer, but no it was the movie. I kept waiting for it to improve, but no again. Except for the creatures, it felt very amateurish. The storyline was minimal and repetitive. The whole thing was a tremendous disappointment.
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KrisTDec 3, 20098I loved this film. It really searches and finds that inner-child of yours just waiting to be released. Max was great and is truly the most adorable twelve year old ever. The film is amazing and deserves it's rating by far.
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TROct 25, 20093This movie made me extremely uncomfortable, like sitting in on an hour 40 of a kid's therapy session. This isn't a movie I'd want to take a kid to. They chose to flesh the story out with dysfunction, and that's not what I thought I was getting into.
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DaveHOct 26, 20098I was very emotionally affected by this film, which is, despite the hi-tech vibe attached to it, a very subtle work. It gets inside the head of a young boy whose family has shattered and whose life is spent imagining a world where he is strong, happy and in control. The central fantasy element is a beautiful and perceptive representation of a child's imagnation. Highly recommended.
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BigEOct 26, 20099A wonderfully melancholic movie. It's uncertain plot line is off putting, but I kinda think that's the point.
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HarveyBOct 27, 200910
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nanekimOct 27, 20098This is not an easy-going movie, for sure. I think what it can teach us is that issues don't get resolved just because you "run away," and no friend is perfect--we all have our good and bad sides. I think the Wild Things helped Max to grow up, and vice-versa. My daughter (9) and I liked the movie, but we were warned that it's really not for kids.
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EricAOct 28, 20099Enjoyed this very much and brought back memories of time with my mother as a little boy. Great work from Jonze
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JayrEOct 28, 200910Max is autistic.
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theDUDEOct 29, 20090In a nutshell strange movie. I was wondering what the plot to this movie was going to be and about a quarter way through the move I didn't really care. I have no idea why so called movie critics rated this movie so high. maybe they have an interest in the movie such as stock holdings. probubly the worst movie of the year. two thumbs down sucked really bad.
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kathypOct 31, 20090Worst movie I've ever seen. Exceedingly dark and depressing; no redeeming value whatsoever. It just depicted a lot of angry venting and selfish behavior. Sadly, they used a popular child's story for a movie that isn't suitable for children.
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DWillyOct 30, 20093
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MattBJan 18, 201010
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KennethSFeb 15, 201010
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SteveCMar 12, 20100Torture to watch. Watch the trailer or read the book. Save yourself for the movie.
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Mr.GoneMar 17, 20103
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AlanG.Mar 27, 20109A great movie! I can't believe i cried during this. I love it! Spike Jonze is a great director!
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PaulaDApr 19, 20109A gem of a movie. It's like an art piece but makes you remember how you thought as kid again.
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SeanNov 1, 20093I had such high hopes for this movie and was completely let down. I really don't know how all of these critics are giving this movie such high reviews. Was thoroughly disappointed with this movie....
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emilydNov 13, 20093Visually beautiful, but that is really all I can say positively. I was with a 12 and a 9 year old and we left the theatre baffled and drained... not for kids. I loved the book as a kid! what a shame!!!
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JohnSNov 29, 20091Total waste of time & money. Kids 8 and 11 hated it. Do not go see this movie.
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JulieNOct 16, 200910This movie is absolutely incredible. Don't go into it expecting a kids movie, though, because this movie reflects real life. It is not an movie about the spunky troubles of bees or woodland creatures. It's about real problems--and it shows them beautifully.
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EricE.Oct 16, 200910Amazing, Beautiful, Life-Changing, Stunning, Magical, Astonishing. these are all words that come to mind after having seen this movie.
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BillyG.Oct 16, 20092Terrible! Way too long and depressing. Feel bad for all the kids who had their hopes dashed at this sad and boring film. Save your money and take the kids out bowling instead.
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KieranM.Oct 16, 200910The absolute most meaningful movie I've ever seen. That's maybe because I feel like I can relate to Max. I've felt emotions that I've never felt before. Truly amazing.
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JeffH.Oct 16, 20092WAY too artsy and too much symbolism for kids to "get". He took a wonderful idea and butchered it to the point that the imagination of Max was really properly illustrated.
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DannyROct 16, 20096
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AnonymousMCOct 16, 200910Classic Spike Jonze, very complex, introspective, and dark at times but equally sweet and warm, captures very much more than any film I can remember what it was like to be kid and in the final years before adolescence, it takes every emotion children feel and takes it as seriously as they would and does this in an understated way more in creating a tone and atmosphere than overwrought melodrama.
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jerradDOct 17, 200910A well crafted and uniquely stylized film. i loved every minute of it. for the people who are mad that its not a kid movie why do you care? you can't even enjoy a movie for yourself? stop looking at it as a childrens book and start seeing the real morals that are presented in the movie.
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TedJ.Oct 17, 20092Nothing redeeming about this film. You'll want your money back halfway through. Boring story, no characters to get behind, Max is unlikable and annoying, the movie is dark and seems to carry no message. A terrible self indulgent effort by the director.
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JakeH.Oct 17, 200910
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GabrielS.Oct 17, 20098A well built movie! Note: not for kids. Lots and lots and lots of emotional depth. GREAT ACTING.
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SawyerC.Oct 17, 20090DEPRESSING! DARK! AWFUL!
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TaylorF.Oct 17, 20096Not very many redeeming characters in this movie....it is very sad without really giving us any real change in any of the characters. It is a well done movie and very visually stimulating, just didn't get much out of it.
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PaulBOct 17, 200910This is a deep and both intensely joyful and deeply sad story about growing up. A true masterpiece of cinema that takes anyone with a heart on a journey that makes them feel more alive.
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GeneS.Oct 17, 200910At the heart of this movie is sorrow and the way it expresses itself is through joy. The monsters are all aspects of Max's interior life and feelings and so they, like Max, think and behave like 9 years olds do. To see monsters act as such is an experience that's unforgettable. You'll be hard pressed to find a more poignant and beautiful movie that has as much integrity as this.
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JohnnySOct 18, 20092Visually stunning, but incredibly boring and twee. The kid is annoying and unlikeable, and it is difficult to care about any of the characters.
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KamsleyBOct 18, 20094This was NOT an enjoyable movie for any child and I have four who hated it... It was nothing short of a psychotherapy session for any adult who has felt the cruelty of divorce in their lifetime.
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StevenZOct 18, 20097The cinematography was stunning, Max's world was beautiful, and the view of the world from the eyes of a child were fantastic. Other then that you have a very drawn out story. Yes, there is great symbolism and all that, but who cares to make those connections when the movie is just so boring. If you see it, great, if you miss it...you're not missing out on anything huge.
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ChadS.Oct 18, 200910
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RayL.Oct 19, 200910
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JonathanF.Oct 19, 20099A strikingly beautiful, and touching story of a lonely boy finding comfort in the escape of his vast imagination. And was it just me or is it surprisingly political, too?
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MichaelWNov 9, 20099
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alecfNov 9, 20096
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NickFDec 14, 20090How to make a 425 word book into a movie.... inject a lot of weird awkward pauses and random pointless events. How to get chocolate cake, Bit your mother and run off for a few days to a strange world, when things go bad take a boat back without addressing any problems.
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EvanDOct 22, 200910A beautiful film. One of the best of 2009 with great voice work and one of the best performances ever by a child actor by Max Records. a gem of a film that should receive oscar consideration.
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AdamPDec 23, 200910A great mix of realism and fantasy and also a fine study on child psychology. I loved it - the bad user reviews on here look like they were written by the 9 year olds they took to see the film. Says it all really.
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TiffanyLDec 26, 20094
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ChristopherCOct 23, 20099The cinematic adaptation of one of the greatest children's books of all time is strangely... not for kids. Not having any children myself, I found the movie enthralling. I went in expecting it to be light hearted and formulaic, but what I saw sincerely made me feel, and for that I was grateful.
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BrianROct 23, 20095This is basically a bore. It's nearly two hours of depressed muppets.
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KatBOct 23, 20091
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fwOct 23, 20091Horrid. Boring. Tedious. Aimless. Pointless. Weary-making.
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JayGOct 27, 20093Depressing. Dark. Violent. Inconclusive. Mr. Sendak must have needed some money desperately. I wouldn't take my kids to see it. Read them the book and let their imaginations soar.
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pHOct 27, 20098Not perfect by any means but a brilliant effort that almost succeeds. Sorta long, sorta slow but a slightly flawed masterpiece in the end. I saw it in a theatre full of kids of all ages and not a peep from any of them
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RickAOct 29, 20098I liked it and found it to be fun and entertaining.
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YevgenyVOct 29, 20090Very bad, and I am not a fan of the book. The films worst folly is that it's boring. This is a drawn out, pretentious and boring film which possesses an odd, turgid pace, trying to pass itself of as whimsical and philosophic. What. A waste.
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BenjaminHNov 11, 200910
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NickLNov 14, 20093I watched this sober. That was a mistake. The only good part of this movie was the soundtrack. Boooooring.
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JoeMDec 16, 20097I enjoyed this film but I wanted to love it. It is filmed very well and the acting is good, but the movie is just too long considering its short and simple source material.. It should have only been 80-90 mins tops.
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PatrickCDec 17, 20092
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PBDec 21, 20099
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marxmetacriticDec 31, 20090
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Aug 16, 20105A sad experience, one that made me feel about myself rather than enjoying the innocence of youth. There's not enough story to carry a full movie, and the wild things seem more like reality show characters bickering amongst themselves rather than fantasy creatures. I was excited for this film, mainly because the story is brilliant and Jonze is very good, but I was sorely disappointed.
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Jun 27, 20118Film maker Spike Jonze directs a magical, surreal, visually astonishing film version of Maurice Sendak's celebrated classic exploring the joyous and wild rumpus of the time and place we call childhood.
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Apr 9, 20117I enjoyed the movie. Good voice work and the young boy did a good job. The graphics were pretty good. But it was not as good as the book. It won't "ruin" the book for you, but don't watch this before you read the book to yourself or your kid.
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Oct 28, 20113It is rubbish, I'm sorry to people that liked it but I really didn't enjoy the film. I was looking forward to going to see the film at the cinema but I was really dissapointed, I am a fan of the book but it isn't based on the book at all. I really disliked it.
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Sep 14, 20119A beautiful recreation the book by Maurice Sendak in which the story is develop in a deeper way with a conflict that connect with real life, even when the characters are monsters. If you think this a movie for children, then you're wrong. Just see it and learn about life.
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Sep 28, 201110You might think that because of this movie is based on a book for kids, this movies is also for kids or is the same than the book, but no, this movie talks about grow up and all the process of maduration, is a great job and a has a fantastic development and the camera work is excellent
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Mar 22, 20122
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Aug 13, 20128A beautiful movie that perfectly captures the essence of the classic tale. Masterful puppetry. Anyone who appreciates the original book will no doubt realize how great this movie is.
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Aug 17, 201210
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Mar 26, 20131
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80For all the artfulness, the feel of the film is rough-hewn, almost primitive. It’s a fabulous tree house of a movie.
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60Where the film falters is Jonze and novelist Dave Eggers' adaptation, which fails to invest this world with strong emotions.
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50I have a vision of eight-year-olds leaving the movie in bewilderment. Why are the creatures so unhappy? That question doesn’t return a child to safety or anywhere else. Of one thing I am sure: children will be relieved when Max gets away from this anxious crew.