Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- frantic
- witty
- irreverent
- family movie night
- kids weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually polished but weakened by an unlikeable protagonist, thin and predictable writing, frantic slapstick, and uninspired characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Surly's nut-store raid overlaps with the store's role as a front for bank robbers, while Raccoon pursues his own power agenda.
Critics specifically noted clear homage to 1950s animation styles, especially Warner Bros. classics.
Surly initially plans to betray the colony but is challenged into valuing the community and its welfare.
The plot frames Surly's heist and exile as catalysts for personal change and renewed responsibility to the animal colony.
Films like The Nut Job, and why
The Bad Guys
Both are animated family heist comedies centered on anthropomorphic animals, elaborate capers, and redemption arcs.
Zootopia
Both combine colorful computer animation, animal protagonists, comic crime schemes, and accessible themes of teamwork and personal change.
Over the Hedge
Both are family-oriented animated adventures featuring food-centered quests, comic animal characters, and a selfish protagonist learning cooperation.
Open Season
Both use frantic animated slapstick, ensemble animal characters, and a caper structure aimed primarily at younger audiences.
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Lepeniotis
- Release Date
- 2014-01-17
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (1072)
Cast
- Will Arnett
- Brendan Fraser
- Liam Neeson
- Katherine Heigl
- Stephen Lang
- Maya Rudolph
- Jeff Dunham
- Gabriel Iglesias
- Sarah Gadon
- James Rankin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Nut Job about?
- An exiled squirrel's desperate nut-store heist collides with a bank-robbery scheme, forcing a selfish survivor to discover the value of community.
- What is The Nut Job like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Nut Job as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Nut Job violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Nut Job as mild.
- What did critics think of The Nut Job?
- Critics broadly found the film visually polished but weakened by an unlikeable protagonist, thin and predictable writing, frantic slapstick, and uninspired characterization.
- Which films are like The Nut Job?
- Films with a similar feel include The Bad Guys, Zootopia, Over the Hedge, and Open Season.
- How long is The Nut Job?
- The Nut Job runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Nut Job?
- In United States, The Nut Job is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
