Where the Wild Things Are

PG

Released Oct 16, 2009

1 hr. 41 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

List

73%

268 Reviews

Tomatometer

57%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Feeling misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max (Max Records) escapes to the land of the Wild Things, majestic -- and sometimes fierce -- creatures. They allow Max to become their leader, and he promises to create a kingdom where everyone will be happy. However, Max soon finds that being king is not easy and that, even being with the Wild Things, there is something missing.

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Critics Consensus

Some may find its dark tone and slender narrative off-putting, but Spike Jonze's heartfelt adaptation of the classic children's book is as beautiful as it is uncompromising.

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Estevan G

This is a visually stunning adaptation of a childhood imagination and family relationships. The performances are heartfelt, but its darker tone may not appeal to all. Overall, it's a beautifully crafted film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Khe-Thai Y

A remarkably beautiful adaptation of a relatively simple yet beloved children's book. The film is uncompromising in its vision and it delivers a truly heart-felt and untethered narrative that leaves the audience to interpret its meaning however they please. A great deal of the characters and underlying themes have been expanded in such a way that the film is as relatable as the book was to every child. The book is now 60 years old and I believe the film will live on to be as timeless as the children's book undoubtedly is.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Teddy B

A different beast entirely from the classic source material. Spike Jonze's beautifully abrasive and pensive direction perfectly matches with the deeper undertones of the book. The effects are impressive, and the character interactions feel incredibly genuine and heartfelt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Alejandro E

The premise of a lonely, misunderstood boy finding solace in a fantastical world is not at all exaggerated. Inspired by a children's book and, despite its dark, almost threatening tone, there will be a viewer - child or adult - who feels identified with the "hero" of the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

Owen N

This movie is underrated. It is such a good movie and Carol's whole story made me cry. This movie is tied in my top 10 list with Inside Out. Truly a good movie. (Fresh

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Camila F

I did not like it a lot when it started, but I wanted to give it a chance, so I continued watching. As the movie moved forward I slowly started feeling uncomfortable, depressed and disgusted. It was only when the movie was over when I realized how bad it had made me feel. I still remember it as the most bring down and awful movie I have ever watched.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

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Spike Jonze

Director

Catherine Keener

Mom

Max Records

Max

Mark Ruffalo

Boyfriend

James Gandolfini

Carol

Lauren Ambrose

KW

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Alissa Wilkinson

Vox

It's a quiet reminder of the power of scary-ish stories, and it's made with warmth, humor, and wisdom.

Sep 25, 2018

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It is bewildering but not in an emotionally complex or troublesome way. It's bewildering in a narratively confused, narratively lost, we-never-figured-out-what-we-wanted-all-this-extra-stuff-to-add-up-to sort of way.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Ed Koch

The Atlantic

The minus I give this children's story pains me...If I had seen this film when I was eight, I would have been terrified.

Jan 17, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In Where the Wild Things Are, Spike Jonze’s masterful translation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved book, the pains, and uncertainties of growing up find a deeply personal home.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s as honest a tale of being a child as you’ll find on screen, with all of the fantasy and reality and joy and anxiety of childhood grounded in the imagery and the landscapes of a tyke’s mind.

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

There's plenty of amazing, surreal imagery and a brooding atmosphere, but little magic brightens this fantasy world.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 29, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Feeling misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max (Max Records) escapes to the land of the Wild Things, majestic -- and sometimes fierce -- creatures. They allow Max to become their leader, and he promises to create a kingdom where everyone will be happy. However, Max soon finds that being king is not easy and that, even being with the Wild Things, there is something missing.

Director: Spike Jonze
Executive Producer: Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Bruce Berman
Screenwriter: Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Playtone Productions, Wild Things
Rating: PG (Brief Language|Adventure Action|Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $77.2M

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