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 & 23 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:

Same planet...different flippin' world.

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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

Jack Black almost played Rex. He would later star in director Jared Hess' next film, Nacho Libre (2006).

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Goofs

When Kip and Uncle Rico are sitting at Big J's for the first time, the straw in Uncle Rico's milkshake switches sides repeatedly between shots.

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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

There is a 5 minute scene with Kip and LaFawnduh's wedding after the end credits.

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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 WatchMojo: Top 10 Movie Wimps (2013)

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Soundtracks

Canned Heat
Performed by Jamiroquai
Written by Jay Kay (as Jason Kay), Toby Smith, Derrick MacKenzie, Simon Katz, Sola Akingbola, and Wallis Buchanan
Courtesy of Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment (U.K.) Ltd.
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Who would have thought that a movie with no real plot could be so good...

OK, I have seen a lot of negative reviews on this movie. It made me leery of even seeing it. I work at a video store so I get to see movies before their street release date. There were a few naysayers at work, but I rented it anyway. This was a rental well spent. This is the first movie I have seen in some time that doesn't have swear words or sex in any form so it is OK for any age. If you are or ever were just a little bit geeky, Napoleon is the hero for you. This movie is much funnier to a gen-x'er. There are a lot of things that you won't "get" if you weren't a part of the 80's. All in all, I think that it is a great way to spend an evening. I am looking forward to seeing more from this writer/director.

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