The Nut Job

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The Nut Job

PG

2014

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After he accidentally destroys the winter food supply of his fellow Liberty Park residents, Surly (Will Arnett), a squirrel, is banished to the streets of Oakton. Luckily, Surly finds the town's nut shop and hatches a plan to plunder its bounty. However, unbeknown to Surly and his ragtag team of animal associates, the nut shop is really a front for mobsters who plan to rob the bank next door. While Surly and his team break in to the shop, the mobsters carry out their own scheme.

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Critics Consensus

Hampered by an unlikable central character and source material stretched too thin to cover its brief running time, The Nut Job will provoke an allergic reaction in all but the least demanding moviegoers.

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Jonathan Romney

Observer (UK)

Aug 4, 2014

1/5

Small, undemanding children might find this distracting; small, tree-hopping rodents may be mortally offended.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Aug 1, 2014

1/5

The good name of Canadian-South Korean animated co-productions has been sullied forever.

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Olly Richards

Empire Magazine

Jul 31, 2014

2/5

Endless wordplay and dumb slapstick do not a rewarding animation make. Pun-ishing.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jul 25, 2024

1/4

...a reasonable-enough premise that is, by and large, employed to woefully uninvolving (and progressively interminable) effect...

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Robert Sims

Lights Camera Austin

Jan 22, 2022

Strictly one for the kids, the animated heist flick The Nut Job zips by thanks to its nonstop barrage of family-friendly mayhem.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 1, 2021

1/5

There is very little joy, almond or otherwise, in The Nut Job.

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Ander D

@Theporg101 Oct 20, 2026

after watching this the squirrel came and gave me a nut job

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Sam T

@STCG472 Sep 5, 2026

1/10 Extremely disappointing. The only thing I like about this thing is Surly's voice. Don't ask why, I just think it's cool.

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diogo13 T

@Tua_mera Jul 13, 2026

Uma animação genérica e sem alma. O Gangue do Parque falha ao tentar copiar a fórmula de A Idade do Gelo e Alvin e os Esquilos, entregando personagens antipáticas, um guião previsível e piadas batidas sobre flatulência. Nem o ritmo frenético salva este produto puramente comercial e esquecível.

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America I

@RT34958892 Jun 15, 2026

Dive into the world of 2014's The Nut Job, an animated comedy that unfolds on our very own Earth. Spearheaded by director Peter Lepeniotis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Lorne Cameron, this star-studded film matured from Lepeniotis’s 2005 animated short, Surly Squirrel, into a feature-length caper featuring the recognizable voices of Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, and Katherine Heigl, among others. Its journey from concept to screen involved a significant production effort, boasting an impressive soundtrack composed by Paul Intson and recorded with massive orchestras in Los Angeles and Tokyo. The Nut Job defied its substantial production budget, exceeding $120 million, achieving a domestic gross of $64 million, and ultimately being categorized as a box office success, even earning the title of the best opening weekend for an independent animated feature.

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David S.

@baxter667 Mar 30, 2026

It wasn't that bad. One of those films that you like or hate, I have to say this one wasn't terrible. Descent plot, short running time, and some interesting characters, I didn't waste my time with this one and I enjoyed it!!!

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Mateo S

@Moviestar243 Mar 20, 2026

Must see. First, I can compare the movie to Disney-Pixar's Ratatouille from 2007, yes, it has rats, but the main protagonist? He is a rogue-looking squirrel! And the animation beats the high-standard quality of an animated film to feel the high competence for Disney and Pixar.

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Peter Lepeniotis

Director

Will Arnett

Surly

Brendan Fraser

Grayson

Liam Neeson

Raccoon

Katherine Heigl

Andie

Stephen Lang

King

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Synopsis

After he accidentally destroys the winter food supply of his fellow Liberty Park residents, Surly (Will Arnett), a squirrel, is banished to the streets of Oakton. Luckily, Surly finds the town's nut shop and hatches a plan to plunder its bounty. However, unbeknown to Surly and his ragtag team of animal associates, the nut shop is really a front for mobsters who plan to rob the bank next door. While Surly and his team break in to the shop, the mobsters carry out their own scheme.

Director: Peter Lepeniotis
Producer: Wookyung Jung, Graham Moloy
Screenwriter: Lorne Cameron, Peter Lepeniotis
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: Redrover Co. Ltd., Gulfstream Pictures, ToonBox Entertainment
Rating: PG (Rude Humor|Mild Action)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.2M
Runtime: 1h 26m

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