Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Director:

Jared Hess

Writers:

Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess

Stars:

Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries

10 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Heder	...	Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Gries	...	Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell	...	Kip
Efren Ramirez	...	Pedro
Diedrich Bader	...	Rex
Tina Majorino	...	Deb
Sandy Martin	...	Grandma
Haylie Duff	...	Summer Wheatly
Trevor Snarr	...	Don
Shondrella Avery	...	Lafawnduh
Bracken Johnson	...	Randy
Carmen Brady	...	Starla
Ellen Dubin	...	Ilene
J.C. Cunningham	...	Jock #1
Jimmy Stevens	...	Jock #2 (as James Smooth)

Storyline

Preston, Idaho's most curious resident, Napoleon Dynamite, lives with his grandma and his 32-year-old brother (who cruises chat rooms for ladies) and works to help his best friend, Pedro, snatch the Student Body President title from mean teen Summer Wheatley.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | family relationships | tater tots | two word title | stuck in the past | 

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Taglines:

It's Gonna Be a Dynamite Summer

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Aaron Ruell (Kip) had braces put on his teeth for this role. Two orthodontists are thanked in the credits.

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Goofs

Official dress of the National FFA organization calls for males to wear black slacks. When shown in the FFA hall, Napoleon is wearing blue jeans.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

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Crazy Credits

All the items, food or otherwise, used in the credits appear at some point in the movie, e.g. Napoleon's chap-stick, Uncle Rico's steak, etc.

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Alternate Versions

For wide release and all showings after the limited release, a scene was filmed featuring an additional five-minutes after the credits.

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Ernest Saves Christmas (2009)

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Soundtracks

Forever Young
Written by Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, and Frank Mertens
Performed by Alphaville
Courtesy of Warner Music Germany GmbH
By Arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

User Reviews

The greatest thing America has contributed to the world.

Magnum Opus. Perfection. Sent by God to undeserved man.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Napoleon Dynamite

Filming Locations:

Sykesville, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$116,666, 13 June 2004

Gross USA:

$44,540,956

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,138,887

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 92 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1