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Joanna Lumley, Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Pete Postlethwaite, Jane Leeves ... see more see more... , Miriam Margolyes , Paul Terry , Susan Sarandon , David Thewlis , Steven Culp , Tony Haney , Al Nalbandian , Vanessa Redgrave , Mike Starr , Guy Witcher , Mario Yedidia , Michael Girardin , J. Stephen Coyle , Girocco Dunlap , Katherine Howell , Chae Kirby , Jeff Mosley , Susan Turner-Cray , Paul Terry (II) , Stephen Culp

A young boy's discovery of a gigantic peach triggers an eventful journey across the sea in this strikingly designed and surprisingly twisted animated adventure. A live-action framing device establishe... read more read more...s the dark yet fanciful mood one might expect from an adaptation of a Roald Dahl story, as young British lad James (Paul Terry) is orphaned by the death of his parents and forced to live with two cruel, repulsive aunts (played by noted British character actors Miriam Margolyes and Joanna Lumley of British TV hit Absolutely Fabulous). The visit of a mysterious stranger provides a means of escape, however, through a magic bag of "crocodile tongues" that bring about the appearance of the giant peach. The curious James soon winds up inside the fruit, at which point his body changes, and the film switches to a combination of stop-motion and digital animation. The new James meets up with a group of talking, oversized insects, including a vampish spider (voiced by Susan Sarandon), a sarcastic centipede (voiced by Richard Dreyfuss), and a matronly ladybug (voiced by Jane Leeves). These creatures become his traveling companions when the peach rolls into the Atlantic Ocean, and James and his new friends must brave a variety of dangers to reach the shore. Director Henry Selick provides further proof of the visual skill he demonstrated in The Nightmare Before Christmas, creating a fascinating, often eerie alternate universe, while Randy Newman provides the upbeat musical accompaniment. Young children may be disturbed by the story's creepier overtones, but the mixture of remarkable visuals, oddball characters, and off-kilter fantasy will appeal to all other audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

225,376 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

57 critics

PG, 1 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: Henry Selick

Release Date: April 12, 1996

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DVD Release Date: October 3, 2000

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Stats: 7,863 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (7,863)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 18, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    James and the Giant Peach is a very good film. But I did not think it was as good as Nightmare Before Christmas. The film is a perfect family film, but I felt it missed something to really make it special. The film is good, and I enjoyed it, but it's not as great as what everyone... read more has claimed it to be. I personally preferred Nightmare Before Christmas. This is however a film that the whole family can enjoy, and despite its flaws it is a memorable film to watch. I enjoyed the film for what it was. Despite its flaws, this is a well done film with great special effects. James and the Giant Peach isn't as great as so many other animated classics, but it's still a good film. The voice cast here are great, and the characters are interesting and fun. I just feel something is missing to truly make this one a classic. On the technological stand point, this film stands out. As a whole, this is an entertaining film and despite its flaws is still worth watching. I enjoyed the film, even if it's not the best animated feature that I've seen. A good family film with heart, James and the Giant Peach is still worth seeing. A good cast and good story make up for most of its flaws. A fun adventure from start to finish, this film will appeal in the kid in all of us. Like I said, the beauty part of this film is in its details, but I feel the story, though good, could have been reworked a bit more, just to make it a bit more memorable. Still a film worth watching.
  • fb729949618
    September 27, 2011
    fb729949618
    This movie takes me back to 3rd/4th grade. One of those movies you couldn't forget even if you tried.
  • spielberg00
    August 12, 2011
    spielberg00
    Good
  • ajv2688
    July 9, 2011
    ajv2688
    This movie is really cool, it's based on a good children's book, directed by Selick (who directed Nightmare Before Christmas), and it's got wonderful clay animation. Why isn't it better than it is? Maybe because it was a little too goofy? Or it was the songs, I don't know, but... read more for the most part this is a good movie.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Another childhood classic!
  • skeletonking101
    January 23, 2011
    skeletonking101
    with a heartwaming and magical story and great stop-motion animation, it saves this film, and makes it one of Henry Selicks best films
  • sanjurosamurai
    August 24, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    inventive and fun, the film is benefited by a manageable running time and a unique plot. the film isnt too consequential, and at times even in this short film i found myself clock watching, but the art direction and adventuresome nature of the film kept me in it. decent kids mo... read morevie.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 24, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    B-
  • ythelastman89
    July 24, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Who wouldn't want to live in a giant peach? This is just an all around great movie, showcasing everything the animation genre has to offer. It's one of my favorite children's books along with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl has such a great imagination and this defi... read morenitely shows it. Stop motion claymation either works or it doesn't, this definitely works. I love all the voice actors and the characters they play, it's so weird and offbeat.
  • fb733768972
    July 24, 2010
    fb733768972
    Fantastically acclaimed and much deserved! James and the Giant Peach, soars with family fun, and is actually scary for kids, at parts. James finds friends in a giant peach, and sparks a great genereation of characters that I adored!

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

At its lyrical best, James and the Giant Peach, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1961 children's classic, evokes the casual enchantment of a book that, for many kids (including me), cast the spell of a g... Full Review

Richard Corliss
September 3, 2008
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

We fully anticipate the wrath of several generations of possessive children when we declare that the new Disney film of James and the Giant Peach is an improvement on Roald Dahl's 1961 backyard fantasy. Full Review

Jeremy Gerard
September 3, 2008
Jeremy Gerard, Variety

An extraordinary achievement. Full Review

Hal Hinson
September 3, 2008
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

The latest in an impressive string of first-rate movies for kids.

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

James and the Giant Peach is frequently so alluring that viewers may feel the urge to get lost in the picture's curious shadings, intricate merriment and fantastical atmosphere. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

In general the magic as well as the heart of Roald Dahl's novel has remained stubbornly on the page, leaving us with this overly mechanical copy, as appetizing as a once-flavorful peach that's been in... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This weird story has been transformed into a playful, visually arresting experience with more than a few allusions to The Wizard of Oz. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It's ripe to bursting with visual effects a heady combination of stop-motion and computer-generated imagery.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It will, I think, entertain kids for whom stop-motion animation is the last thing they're thinking about. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

James and the Giant Peach, the latest animated film from Disney, is a technological marvel, arch and innovative with a daringly offbeat visual conception. But it's also a strenuously artful film with ... Full Review

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James and the Giant Peach Trivia

  • Disney & Tim Burton story of an orphan boy who is mistreated by his aunts & goes on a long journey with some wisecracking insects to New York?  Answer »
  • What Roal Dahl film connects these actors/actresses? Pete Postlethwaite Joanna Lumley Susan Sarandon Richard Dreyfuss  Answer »
  • What fruit was featured in the movie "James and the giant .... "  Answer »
  • Along with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he starred in the Disney film, "James and the Giant Peach." Who is he?  Answer »
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