Harold and the Purple Crayon | Rotten Tomatoes (original) (raw)

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Critics Consensus

A high-concept treatment that misses out on the blissful simplicity of its source material, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a tribute to imagination that's content to only color inside the lines.

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Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) Levi capers around with a big, goofy smile and a squeak in his voice -- but there’s more desperation than humour in the performance. Rated: 2/5 Sep 12, 2024 Full Review Jen Chaney New York Magazine/Vulture Harold and the Purple Crayon makes the classic Hollywood mistake of taking a story that was lovely because of its concision and simplicity and turns it into a movie that is overly long and complicated for no good reason. Aug 5, 2024 Full Review Katie Walsh Tribune News Service There’s something deeply strange about [Levi's] performance here, grinning and mugging with childlike wonder in a way that can only be read as disingenuous. Rated: 1/4 Aug 3, 2024 Full Review Louisa Moore Screen Zealots An unimaginative, soulless cash grab that fails to capture the whimsy and magic of its source material. Feb 4, 2025 Full Review Dolores Quintana Santa Monica Mirror Harold and the Purple Crayon is a joyous celebration of art and love that is kept from being sublime only by the performance of its lead actor. The supporting cast does wonderful and amusing work that would have been better served by a stronger lead. Nov 11, 2024 Full Review Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz Nothing on-screen in Harold can overcome the fact this was just a lousy idea. Director Carlos Saldanha (Rio) has a few lovely flourishes, but the simplicity, timelessness and magic of the source material has stayed stubbornly on the page. Rated: 2.5/5 Oct 9, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Heather A breath of fresh air! Wonderful Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review ryanward87 Whoa, this was actually a really sweet film! Feels like an underrated gem didn’t expect it to be as much fun as it was! My daughter and I enjoyed this a lot!! 🟣🖍️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Brock A silly movie that was good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/25 Full Review W. Johnson Wonderful family friendly movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/11/24 Full Review Linda It was okay but not our favorite movie. Grandkids are 12, 9 and 6 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/15/24 Full Review Phillip My niece liked it, that's what matters. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - You Made A...Spider-Fly?! Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - You Made A...Spider-Fly?! 2:31 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Jemaine Clement vs Zachary Levi: CRAZY Crayon Draw-Off Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Jemaine Clement vs Zachary Levi: CRAZY Crayon Draw-Off 7:31 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - My Imaginary Dragon Friend Came to Life?! Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - My Imaginary Dragon Friend Came to Life?! 1:22 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Finding A Dad Is Hard (And Sometimes Fun) Work! Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Finding A Dad Is Hard (And Sometimes Fun) Work! 1:26 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Let's Go To The (Constipated) Real World! Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Let's Go To The (Constipated) Real World! 7:19 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - HILARIOUS Department Store Chaos Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - HILARIOUS Department Store Chaos 1:41 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Zachary Levi's WILD Plane Ride! Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Zachary Levi's WILD Plane Ride! 2:46 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Porcupine's Motorcycle Joy Ride Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Porcupine's Motorcycle Joy Ride 1:34 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Jemaine Clement Flirts With Zooey Deschanel Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Jemaine Clement Flirts With Zooey Deschanel 0:54 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Zachary Levi Goes To Jail Harold and the Purple Crayon: Official Clip - Zachary Levi Goes To Jail 1:40 View more videos

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Harold and the Purple Crayon: Trailer 2 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Trailer 2 2:32 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Trailer 1 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Trailer 1 2:02 View more videos

Synopsis Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life--and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends' creativity to save both the real world and his own. Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children's classic that has captivated young readers for decades.

Director

Carlos Saldanha

Producer

John Davis

Screenwriter

David Guion, Michael Handelman

Distributor

Columbia Pictures

Production Co

Columbia Pictures, Davis Entertainment

Rating

PG (Thematic Elements|Mild Action)

Genre

Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

Original Language

English

Release Date (Theaters)

Aug 2, 2024, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)

Aug 27, 2024

Box Office (Gross USA)

$17.4M

Sound Mix

Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio

Flat (1.85:1)

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