Napoleon Dynamite

Name: Napoleon Dynamite
Genre: Comedy
Released: June 11, 2004
Duration: 82 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Efren Ramírez, Jon Gries, Jon Heder

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 399 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 399 Ratings

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Napoleon Dynamite

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: June 11, 2004 | PG

Starring: Efren Ramírez, Jon Gries, Jon Heder

Summary: From Preston, Idaho comes Napoleon Dynamite (Heder), a new kind of hero complete with a tight red 'fro, some sweet moon boots and skills that can't be topped. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Director: Jared Hess

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 82 min

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Critic Reviews

Eric Campos

The cast playing these eccentric characters is magnificent...This is definitely one of the most unique comedies you’ll see all year. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

Thrusts us into a high school senior year like no other. Read full review

Peter Travers

Hess and his terrific cast -- Heder is geek perfection -- make their own kind of deadpan hilarity. You'll laugh till it hurts. Sweet. Read full review

Devin Gordon

This achingly funny film is a string of vignettes with no real plot, so it has periods of pointlessness--come to think of it, it's all pointless. But it has "cult classic" written all over it. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

With the exception of one truly glorious dance solo, the movie treats its hero - and his equally uncool family - with undisguised disdain. Read full review

Dana Stevens

The performances, even those by trained actors like Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Majorino, have the hesitant, blinking opacity that some directors look for in nonprofessional casts. Their awkwardness is charming, and part of the point of the movie, but it also makes for some dull stretches and thwarts your ability to regard the characters with sympathy rather than mere curiosity. Read full review

Scott Foundas

If Napoleon Dynamite really is, as reported, a semiautobiographical exercise, it is one of the most astoundingly self-hating such exercises in memory. Read full review

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User Reviews

JackH.

Jan 8, 2006

An instant classic for me. One of the most funny films I have ever seen! I feel sorry for those of you who are like, "What is all the fuss about?". Either you "get" this movie or you don't. I have a feeling people that don't understand why it's funny are old and don't An instant classic for me. One of the most funny films I have ever seen! I feel sorry for those of you who are like, "What is all the fuss about?". Either you "get" this movie or you don't. I have a feeling people that don't understand why it's funny are old and don't understand.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LukasRyan1111

Dec 14, 2020

Completely unique comedy with brilliant performances from a roster of mostly unknown actors. For me this film hits a very unique nostalgic button & I hold it near and dear to my heart. In my book it's one of the greatest comedies ever made.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheQuietGamer

Jun 12, 2011

One of the funniest movies I've ever seen, it really captures the average socially awkward teen and dysfunctional family perfectly, I loved every character and every moment of this hilarious movie, while some say some of the scenes are useless I disagree, I felt they were all necessary inOne of the funniest movies I've ever seen, it really captures the average socially awkward teen and dysfunctional family perfectly, I loved every character and every moment of this hilarious movie, while some say some of the scenes are useless I disagree, I felt they were all necessary in defining the characters, if you like comedies or just good movies, this is a must see, this is a masterpiece that is deserving of nothing less that a perfect 10.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

Tyranian

Apr 12, 2019

Very funny film with great performances and off kilter humour. Vote for Pedro!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

RobertOBrien

Jul 9, 2015

Lots of people love it, lots of people hate it. Both sides are acting like children, I thought the movie was okay. It''s calmness and laid back attitude is refreshing. Just watching a dork try and live his life is pretty funny.

Though the movie is comprised of awkward humor, and not veryLots of people love it, lots of people hate it. Both sides are acting like children, I thought the movie was okay. It''s calmness and laid back attitude is refreshing. Just watching a dork try and live his life is pretty funny.

Though the movie is comprised of awkward humor, and not very many real jokes, the only other humorous moments come from how the actors deliver their lines. But with that, the moments that are funny, are pretty funny.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Globus

Sep 8, 2014

I usually love the love-it-or-hate-it "cult" classic movies, but I guess I must proclaim now that whatever messiah started this cult is a fake. I went in with such high expectations. I remember in the fourth grade people talking about it. For my whole life, I was led to believe joiningI usually love the love-it-or-hate-it "cult" classic movies, but I guess I must proclaim now that whatever messiah started this cult is a fake. I went in with such high expectations. I remember in the fourth grade people talking about it. For my whole life, I was led to believe joining this cult would lead to my perpetual comedic salvation. By having observed the doctrine, I can say firmly that these profits have deceived me repeatedly about this "holy relic." I admit, I laughed... around the start, because I was so ready for the humor to begin I was forcing myself to get ready by laughing at the semi-comedic **** thrown around for the first quarter of the movie. Then I realized that the **** turned into llama **** or whatever the **** his pet was (a goat, maybe?) and got smeared over the entire last three-quarters of this "cult classic." The movie has no point–no real discernible, meaningful conflict that develops throughout the film. It is impossible to connect with any of the characters, and if you actually can, I pity you. The best part about this film is the store of chuckleworthy references to make so I can leave the sheep who still subscribe to the faulty cult busting their guts on the floor (though they might be better suited to bust their brains). But for the references alone I give it 2 point, and for the soft laughs I forced myself to make, I add a point. And for the fact it is a full length movie, another point is due. For the terrible cuts between scenes, I subtract a point. Nothing else merits me adding points. That's a grand total of 2 + 1 + 1 -1 = 3. Okay, I think I've thoroughly refuted the idea that this "cult" really has a prophet worthy of followers. Now where can I review the bible?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Gamepro3093

Oct 15, 2020

I never liked this movie. I found it to be one of the most boring, unfocused and cringe inducing movies from the early 2000s. I don’t even know what it’s about frankly. I believe it’s the misadventures of a stereotypical nerd with an annoying voice and how he makes friends and fits in atI never liked this movie. I found it to be one of the most boring, unfocused and cringe inducing movies from the early 2000s. I don’t even know what it’s about frankly. I believe it’s the misadventures of a stereotypical nerd with an annoying voice and how he makes friends and fits in at school. Yawn. I’d pass on this one.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
37	#37 Most Shared Movie of 2004