Where the Wild Things Are

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Where the Wild Things Are

PG

2009

1h 41m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

267 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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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Alissa Wilkinson

Vox

09/25/2018

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

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/30/2018

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.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

01/17/2018

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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 16

2.5/4

The end result isn’t a bastardization of the literary classic, but neither is it a further canonization of the acclaimed source.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/30/2023

4/4

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.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

08/19/2023

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.

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WaffleHouse T

@Hibiscuslover_28 Mar 13

When I was a kid I remember being completely immersed in the story. I was so hooked because I saw myself in max. It’s also one of those movies that gives you a cozy/ nostalgic feeling, at least for me anyway. It was a little frightening when I was a kid but rewatching it now (being 22) I think that’s what made it so good too. This movie will always have a special place in my heart. I always think about it from time to time. Also the soundtrack is good too!

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Senan long L

@Senybear Feb 25

Wierd movie and the whole plot is just bull

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Guhanand P.

@gsp1960 Feb 21

I would have rated it 4 or even 5 stars if it had been rated R, and had been meant for adults about disturbed children. This is honestly not really a film kids need to watch, however well-made it is.

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Tamara R

@Rose84 Feb 4

Not a good movie. Don't waist your time. The Boy has some major issues and the movie is boring and has no story to it. Not worth it if you ask me.

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Shilo Y.

@Shilo Jan 30

I remember watching it as a child, but I don’t even know if I ever liked it.

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Hallie / i

@hallierunner Jan 24

watched this movie 10000 times as a kid. something about it hooked me and i just rewatched it again after years. it reminds me of how i often would experience maladaptive daydreaming as a kid and still do. something about the movie is missing clarity, some bits just.. missing but overall, i personally couldnt stop watching it because it feels like my worldview and how i experience the world, maybe in an overtly ignorant, innocent and barbaric way. i don’t know how to describe it, but this movie is the only one that portrayed my perspective

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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
Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Maurice Sendak, John B. Carls, Vincent Landay
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
Runtime: 1h 41m

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