The Rugrats film series is a series of animated comedy-adventure films based on the popular Nickelodeon animated series, Rugrats, created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain. The three films were released in 1998, 2000, and 2003. The first and third films received mixed reviews, while the second received generally positive reviews. The series also experienced declining commercial success with each film.
Films[]
The Rugrats Movie (1998)[]
Main article: The Rugrats Movie
The story escalates when Tommy Pickles, is put into difficult situation with the birth of his new brother, Dil, who will not stop crying and is taking all of their parents' attention. Lil and Phil, suggest that Dil should be returned to the hospital, though Tommy and Chuckie object. They eventually get into the Reptar Wagon take a high-speed ride straight into the deep woods where they get lost. The babies must find their way home in the forest while being pursued by circus monkeys who escaped from a traveling circus. Meanwhile, Angelica Pickles sets out to find the babies after they accidentally take her Cynthia doll with them. This film guest stars David Spade as Ranger Frank, Whoopi Goldberg as Ranger Margret, and Tim Curry as Rex Pester.
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000)[]
Main article: Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
The film focuses on Chuckie Finster as he is on a search for a new mother. In this movie, Tommy's father, Stu, is invited to stay in Paris, France to rebuild a robotic Reptar used in a stage musical. After convincing from Angelica, Stu's child-hating boss, Coco LaBouche, attempts to marry Chuckie's father, Chas, just to become the head of her company, Chuckie and the other Rugrats must stop her from becoming his mother. This film guest stars Susan Sarandon as Coco LaBouche, John Lithgow as Jean-Claude, and Mako Iwamatsu as Mr. Yamaguchi. This is Christine Cavanaugh's final theatrical film role before her retirement in 2003 and death in 2014. The film features a classical version of the Rugrats theme song at the start of the film.
Rugrats Go Wild (2003)[]
Main article: Rugrats Go Wild
This film is a crossover between the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. In this film, Stu and Didi Pickles decide to take a vacation with their children, Tommy and Dil, with their friends coming along. However, the ship Stu has chartered is not especially seaworthy, and their party ends up stranded on an uncharted island in the Pacific. The kids decide to search for television personality Sir Nigel Thornberry, who is also on the island with his family. Meanwhile, Nigel's daughter, Eliza, who can talk to animals, meets Spike, the Pickles' dog. In addition to The Wild Thornberrys cast members reprising their roles, this film guest stars Bruce Willis as the voice of Spike, Chrissie Hynde as Siri the clouded leopard, and Ethan Phillips as Toa. This is also the first and only time Nancy Cartwright voiced Chuckie Finster in a film since his original voice actress retired in 2001. During its theatrical release, the film was presented with scratch-and-sniff cards (which were handed out at the box-office) to enhance the film experience. The scratch-and-sniff cards were also included on the home video version of the film. The film was the least successful of the series both critically and commercially.
Rugrats live-action/animated film (2026)[]
On July 16, 2018, it was announced that Paramount Players had greenlit a live-action/CGI hybrid feature film to be written by David A. Goodman. The film was last set for a January 29, 2021 release date, pushed back from a November 13, 2020 release, with Clifford the Big Red Dog taking its old slot. David Bowers was announced as director, but on November 12, 2019, the film was removed from Paramount's release schedule. In October 2024 it was announced that the film was back on track at Paramount with Jason Moore on board to direct with Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell setting to pen the script. The main characters are reported to be depicted using CGI while the other elements of the film will be live-action.
Cast and crew[]
Voice cast[]
Further information: List of Rugrats characters
| Characters | Films | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rugrats Movie | Rugrats in Paris: The Movie | Rugrats Go Wild | |
| 1998 | 2000 | 2003 | |
| Thomas "Tommy" Pickles | E. G. Daily | ||
| Charles "Chuckie" Finster Jr. | Christine Cavanaugh | Nancy Cartwright | |
| Phillip "Phil" DeVille | Kath Soucie | ||
| Lillian "Lil" DeVille | |||
| Angelica Pickles | Cheryl Chase | ||
| Dylan "Dil" Pickles | Tara Strong | ||
| Susie Carmichael | Cree Summer | ||
| Spike | Frank Welker | Bruce Willis | |
| Kimi Finster | Dionne Quan | ||
| Stuart "Stu" Pickles | Jack Riley | ||
| Diane "Didi" Pickles | Melanie Chartoff | ||
| Grandpa Louis "Lou" Pickles | Joe Alaskey | ||
| Charlotte Pickles | Tress MacNeille | ||
| Andrew "Drew" Pickles | Michael Bell | ||
| Charles "Chas" Finster Sr. | |||
| Kira Finster | Julia Kato | ||
| Elizibeth "Betty" DeVille | Kath Soucie | ||
| Howard DeVille | Philip Proctor | ||
| Ranger Frank | David Spade | ||
| Ranger Margret | Whoopi Goldberg | ||
| Rex Pester | Tim Curry | ||
| Dr. Lipschitz | Tony Jay | Tony Jay | |
| Grandpa Boris Kropotkin | Michael Bell | Silent cameo | |
| Grandma Minka Kropotkin | Melanie Chartoff | ||
| Aunt Miriam Pickles | Andrea Martin | ||
| Dr. Lucille "Lucy" Carmichael | Hattie Winston | ||
| Lulu Pickles | Debbie Reynolds | ||
| Coco LaBouche | Susan Sarandon | ||
| Jean-Claude | John Lithgow | ||
| Mr. Yamaguchi | Mako | ||
| Eliza Thornberry | Lacey Chabert | ||
| Darwin Thornberry | Tom Kane | ||
| Nigel Thornberry | Tim Curry | ||
| Donnie Thornberry | Flea | ||
| Debbie Thornberry | Danielle Harris | ||
| Marianne Thornberry | Jodi Carlisle | ||
| Siri | Chrissie Hynde | ||
| Toa | Ethan Phillips | ||
Crew[]
| Film | Director(s) | Producer(s) | Executive producer(s) | Writer(s) | Composer | Editor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rugrats Movie | Igor KovalyovNorton Virgien | Arlene KlaskyGábor Csupó | Albie Hecht
Debby Beece |
David N. WeissJ. David Stem | Mark Mothersbaugh | John Bryant
Kimberly Rettberg |
| Rugrats in Paris | Stig Bergqvist
Paul Demeyer |
Albie Hecht
Julia Pistor Eryk Casemiro Hal Waite |
David N. Weiss
J. David Stem Jill Gorey Barbara Herndon Kate Boutilier |
John Bryant | ||
| Rugrats Go Wild | Norton Virgien
John Eng |
Albie Hecht
Julia Pistor Eryk Casemiro Hal Waite |
Kate Boutilier | John Bryant
Kimberly Rettberg | ||
| Untitled Rugrats live-action Film | Jason Moore | TBA | TBA | Mikey Day
Streeter Seidell |
TBA | TBA |
Reception[]
Further information on the reception of each film: The Rugrats Movie § Reception, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie § Reception, and Rugrats Go Wild § Reception
Box office performance[]
| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Ref(s) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America Opening weekend | North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time
North America |
All time
Worldwide | ||||
| The Rugrats Movie | November 20, 1998 | $27,321,470 | $100,494,675 | $40,400,000 | $140,894,675 | 749 | 1,228 | $24,000,000 | |
| Rugrats in Paris: The Movie | November 17, 2000 | $22,718,184 | $76,507,756 | $26,783,375 | $103,291,131 | 1,049 | 1,603 | $30,000,000 | |
| Rugrats Go Wild | June 13, 2003 | $11,556,869 | $39,402,572 | $16,002,494 | $55,405,066 | 2,214 | 2,661 | $25,000,000 | |
| Total | $61,596,523 | $216,405,003 | $46,825,869 | $299,590,872 | $79,000,000 | ||||
List indicator(s)
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Critical and public response[]
Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article
| Film | Critical | Public | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | ||
| The Rugrats Movie | 59% (51 reviews) | 62 (20 reviews) | A- | |
| Rugrats in Paris: The Movie | 76% (74 reviews) | 62 (25 reviews) | A- | |
| Rugrats Go Wild | 39% (89 reviews) | 38 (27 reviews) | A- | |
See also[]
- Rugrats
- Rugrats revival
- Rugrats: Tales From The Crib
- Nickelodeon Movies