Napoleon Dynamite

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.

Critics generally found the film charming, quirky, and often funny, with Jon Heder’s deadpan performance and its distinctive individuality standing out despite an easy resolution.

• Napoleon, Kip, Uncle Rico, and their peers respond to ordinary school and family situations with unusually flat, eccentric seriousness.
• Napoleon and Pedro are treated as outsiders at school, yet their friendship and individuality drive the student election story.
• The story unfolds in a wide-open, low-density Idaho community whose school, homes, and surrounding landscape reinforce its distinctive oddness.
• The modest production, understated staging, and carefully observed eccentric characters create an intentionally unpolished comic texture.

• Rushmoreshares deadpan humor, socially awkward outsiders, and an unconventional high school coming-of-age perspective
• The Way Way Backcombines eccentric character comedy, outsider protagonists, and warm underdog storytelling
• Ghost Worldfeatures quirky small-town characters, offbeat humor, and an affectionate portrait of misfits
• Brigsby Bearshares a low-budget sensibility, absurdist comedy, and eccentric adolescent friendships

Director

Jared Hess

Release Date

2004-06-11

Runtime

95 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (2298)

What is Napoleon Dynamite about?

An eccentric Idaho teenager finds purpose, friendship, and unexpected confidence while helping his outsider best friend challenge the school’s popularity machine.

What is Napoleon Dynamite like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Napoleon Dynamite as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Napoleon Dynamite violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Napoleon Dynamite.

What did critics think of Napoleon Dynamite?

Critics generally found the film charming, quirky, and often funny, with Jon Heder’s deadpan performance and its distinctive individuality standing out despite an easy resolution.

Which films are like Napoleon Dynamite?

Films with a similar feel include Rushmore, The Way Way Back, Ghost World, and Brigsby Bear.

How long is Napoleon Dynamite?

Napoleon Dynamite runs 95 minutes.

Where can I watch Napoleon Dynamite?

In United States, Napoleon Dynamite streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.