🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Sarah Smith
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10 (43K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Lonely kid gets a robot that’s basically a walking privacy violation, and together they accidentally invent chaos as a service.
🍿 Ron’s Gone Wrong: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The World of B-bots
In a near-future world, the must-have gadget is the B-bot, a personal robot designed to be ‘your best friend out of the box.’ Created by the tech company Bubble, these robots connect kids via social media and facilitate friendships through algorithms. However, awkward middle-schooler Barney Pudowski is the only student without a B-bot, making him an outcast.

Barney Gets Ron
Feeling sorry for Barney, his father and grandmother get him a B-bot for his birthday. However, they are forced to buy a damaged B-bot from an off-the-back-of-a-truck deal. This B-bot, whom Barney names Ron, is glitchy and doesn’t work as intended. Ron doesn’t understand social norms and has none of the built-in safety features of the other B-bots.

Friendship Develops
Despite Ron’s malfunctions, Barney starts to bond with him. Ron’s lack of programming leads to unpredictable and often hilarious situations, teaching Barney (and Ron) what real friendship is. As they spend time together, they run into Barney’s former childhood friend Savannah. Savannah posts about Ron and Barney’s adventures online, which causes the Bubble corporation to take notice.

Chaos and the Woods
Ron’s glitches spread to other B-bots causing chaos in the school and Savannah becomes humiliated because of this. Barney gets suspended and blames Ron, but quickly realizes that Ron was only trying to be a friend. Bubble employees chase after them. Barney and Ron run away into the woods, where they learn to rely on each other for survival. Barney’s asthma flares up, and Ron gets him back to the school where Barney’s classmates help him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Barney (Jack Dylan Grazer): An awkward middle-schooler who struggles to fit in until he befriends a malfunctioning robot.
- Ron (Zach Galifianakis): A defective B-bot who teaches Barney about true friendship through his hilarious malfunctions.
- Graham (Ed Helms): Barney’s well-meaning but somewhat oblivious father who tries to connect with his son.
- Donka (Olivia Colman): Barney’s eccentric and supportive grandmother who provides a unique perspective on life.
- Andrew (Rob Delaney): The profit-driven COO of Bubble who sees Ron as a threat to the company’s image.
- Marc (Justice Smith): The idealistic CEO of Bubble who created the B-bots with good intentions but is challenged by corporate greed.
- Savannah (Kylie Cantrall): A popular middle schooler initially absorbed by social media, who eventually becomes a friend to Barney.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ron: “Are you my best friend?” – Ron constantly asks Barney if he’s his best friend, showcasing his literal interpretation of friendship and his eagerness to connect.
- Ron: “I am learning to people.” – Highlights Ron’s struggle to understand human behavior and social cues as he tries to navigate friendship.
- Barney: “He’s not just a robot, he’s my friend.” – Barney passionately defends Ron, emphasizing the genuine bond they’ve formed beyond Ron’s technological purpose.
- Ron: “A bird has commented on your face.” – Ron’s blunt and unfiltered observations often lead to humorous and awkward situations.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $23,009,270
- Worldwide Gross: $60,692,022
💥 Ron’s Gone Wrong Reviews
Personal Review
I really loved this movie! It reminded me of ‘Big Hero 6’ but with a sharper edge about social media. Ron is so funny and endearing, and I really felt for Barney. The scene where Ron tries to get Barney friends at school was hilarious but also kinda sad. It made me think about how much kids rely on tech these days. It’s a really heartwarming story with a great message and some genuinely funny moments that had me laughing out loud.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families with children aged 8+”
- “Fans of animated movies with heartwarming stories”
- “Anyone interested in social commentary on technology and friendship”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild bullying”
- “Brief animated violence”
- “Themes of social isolation”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “A funny, thoughtful movie about friendship in the digital age. Addresses social media’s impact and promotes real connection over virtual ones. Great for families to discuss tech use.
- The Guardian: “A charming animation exploring modern friendship. It’s visually appealing, with relatable characters, though the social commentary feels somewhat predictable. A good watch for younger audiences.
- Empire Magazine: “A sweet, if somewhat familiar, tale of friendship and technology. Zach Galifianakis’s voice work as Ron steals the show. While not groundbreaking, it’s an enjoyable family film.
Audience Reactions
Ron’s quirky and unpredictable behavior stole the show!: Viewers praised the movie’s heartfelt message about the importance of genuine friendship.
The movie’s take on social media addiction really resonated with me and my kids.: Many people appreciated the film’s relevant commentary on technology and its effects on human interaction.
Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and humorous animated film with a relevant message about friendship and technology in the modern world.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This is the debut feature film of Locksmith Animation, making it a significant milestone for the studio.”
- “The film explores themes of friendship in the digital age, drawing inspiration from real-world concerns about social media’s impact on relationships.”
- “The filmmakers consulted with child psychologists to accurately portray the challenges and experiences of middle schoolers in the age of technology.”
- “The design of the B-bots was influenced by a variety of gadgets and technologies, aiming to create a futuristic yet relatable aesthetic.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ron’s Gone Wrong?
Ron’s Gone Wrong is available to stream on Disney+ with a subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ron’s Gone Wrong, you might like these similar films:
- Big Hero 6 (2014): Both films feature a heartwarming friendship between a boy and a robot with unique abilities.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021): Deals with the theme of a family connecting in a world increasingly dominated by technology.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Explores the theme of an unlikely friendship between a child and a being from another world.
- Next Gen (2018): A lonely girl befriends a combat robot who helps her stand up to bullies and navigate a futuristic world.
🛒 Ron’s Gone Wrong Related Products
- Ron’s Gone Wrong: The Junior Novelization: Relive the heartwarming story of Barney and Ron in this engaging junior novelization. Perfect for young readers who loved the movie.
- Ron’s Gone Wrong B-Bot Action Figure: A highly detailed action figure of Ron, complete with his signature glitches and endearing imperfections. A must-have for any fan.
- Ron’s Gone Wrong T-Shirt – ‘Are You My Best Friend?’: Show off your love for Ron with this comfy T-shirt featuring his iconic catchphrase. Available in various sizes and colors.
- Ron’s Gone Wrong: Friendship Adventure Game: Join Barney and Ron on an exciting adventure game where you must navigate the social media landscape and forge real friendships. Available on mobile and PC.
🎧 Soundtrack
Ron’s Gone Wrong features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “New Friends” – performed by Clive Bayley
- “The Nonsuch Middle School Song” – performed by Mark Ronson
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Ron’s Gone Wrong is rated PG, making it generally suitable for most children. Some scenes involving bullying and mild peril may be intense for very young or sensitive viewers. Parental guidance is recommended.
The film explores themes of true friendship, the dangers of social media obsession, and the importance of human connection over technology. It suggests that imperfections are what make relationships genuine and valuable.
You can stream Ron’s Gone Wrong on Disney+. It is also available to rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies.
🔥 Bonus Content
Everything Wrong With Ron’s Gone Wrong in 19 Minutes or Less
Ever wondered about the plot holes and funny inconsistencies in Ron’s Gone Wrong? CinemaSins breaks down all the ‘sins’ in this hilarious video. Some of these points are pretty spot on!
Did You Notice These 5 Things In Ron’s Gone Wrong
Want to impress your friends with some deep knowledge about Ron’s Gone Wrong? This quick video points out 5 things you probably missed! Some of these are actually pretty clever.
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