Home Movies

TV series about the life of Brendon Small, an eight-year-old visionary who, using his friends Jason and Melissa as actors, have managed to direct over a thousand homemade films. His parents are divorced, but it doesn't feel strange since so many other kids' parents are divorced. His friend Jason actually feels upset because his parents are still together. At school, he is taught soccer by his coach John McGuirk, or as he calls him, "that weird Irish guy".

Home Movies is an American animated comedy created by Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard, first airing on UPN in 1999 before moving to Adult Swim. Eight-year-old Brendon dreams of becoming a director and recruits his friends Jason and Melissa as actors for homemade films shot on a crude camera. Each short episode follows the young filmmakers as their ambitious productions collide with everyday childhood frustrations, including Brendon's divorced parents, awkward school life and the hapless, bumbling teacher who coaches the local soccer team. The show's tone is deadpan, gently absurd and affectionate, with sincere moments quietly undercutting the bravado of its young makers. Its improvised-feeling dialogue and rough, handmade animation give the series a casual, homemade texture that mirrors the films its characters create. Stories are largely self-contained, so viewers can dip in anywhere, and the humor rewards repeat viewings. Fans of offbeat family comedies and coming-of-age stories will find a low-key, warm portrait of growing up in an ordinary American suburb, where small ambitions feel enormous and the bond between friends carries real weight.

Audiences broadly regard the series as an acclaimed, inventive animated comedy with a warm, observant take on childhood and imagination.

• Bob's Burgersshared absurdist animated comedy, improvised child-created worlds, offbeat deadpan voice
• Dariashared adult animated irreverent comedy with mundane suburban family life
• Freaks and Geeksshared slacker-era coming of age humor and small-scale ambition

Created by

Brendon Small, Loren Bouchard

Release Date

1999-04-26

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

8.2 / 10 (118)

What is Home Movies about?

An eight-year-old aspiring director and his friends make homemade movies while navigating divorce, school and small-town boyhood.

What is Home Movies like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Home Movies as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Home Movies violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Home Movies.

What did critics think of Home Movies?

Audiences broadly regard the series as an acclaimed, inventive animated comedy with a warm, observant take on childhood and imagination.

Which shows are like Home Movies?

Shows with a similar feel include Bob's Burgers, Daria, and Freaks and Geeks.

How long is Home Movies?

Home Movies: 4 seasons, 52 episodes.

Is Home Movies still running?

No, Home Movies has ended.

Where can I watch Home Movies?

In United States, Home Movies streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Adult Swim.