🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Bob Dolman
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2006
- Runtime (length): 1h 24min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (6.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 55%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid makes a bet to eat ten worms, and his parents are surprisingly okay with it.
🍿 How to Eat Fried Worms: Detailed Plot Synopsis
New Kid, New School, New Trouble
Billy Forrester and his family move to a new town. On his first day at school, Billy clashes with Joe Guire, a notorious bully. After an incident involving worms, Billy jokingly claims he eats them, leading to a dare. The scene establishes Billy’s initial discomfort and Joe’s bullying behavior. It introduces the central conflict around which the plot revolves.

The Worm-Eating Wager
Joe challenges Billy to eat ten worms by 7 p.m. without vomiting. Billy, despite his weak stomach, accepts the bet to avoid further humiliation. This sets the stage for a series of increasingly disgusting worm-eating challenges. Erika, a classmate, stands by Billy. The other boys, fearing Joe’s rumored poisoned ring, follow his lead.

Culinary Worm Adventures
The boys embark on a series of misadventures, attempting to prepare the worms in increasingly outrageous and disgusting ways, from microwaving to coating them in hot sauce. Billy struggles to keep the worms down, relying on Erika’s support. The challenges highlight the boys’ resourcefulness and the escalating stakes of the bet.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Billy Forrester (Luke Benward): The new kid in school, Billy accepts a bet to eat ten worms to avoid being bullied.
- Joe Guire (Adam Hicks): Joe is the school bully who makes a bet with Billy that he cannot eat ten worms.
- Erika Tansy (Hallie Eisenberg): Erika is a girl with a mind of her own, who becomes Billy’s friend and supporter during the worm-eating challenge.
- Woody (Ty Panitz): Woody is Billy’s younger brother, who adds comedic relief and sibling dynamics to the story.
- Dad (Tom Cavanagh): Dad is Billy’s father, who tries to support his son while also navigating his own new job.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Billy: “I eat worms all the time.” – Billy says this to impress the bullies after they find worms in his lunch.
- Donny: “His mind told his vomit to stay inside his stomach.” – Donny describes Billy’s attempt to keep from throwing up while eating the worms.
- Plug: “Yeah, puke has a mind of its own.” – Plug responds to Donny, emphasizing the unpredictability of vomiting.
- Woody: ““Why don’t they just … ?”” – Woody frequently asks why Billy doesn’t do something obvious to solve his problem, adding a comedic element to the film.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $26,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $13,040,527
- Worldwide Gross: $13,098,996
💥 How to Eat Fried Worms Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this as a kid and being both grossed out and fascinated. It’s a silly movie, but it made me think about how kids deal with peer pressure and trying to fit in. I loved the wacky ways they tried to cook the worms. Definitely a nostalgic watch!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Kids aged 8-12”
- “Fans of gross-out humor”
- “Families looking for a lighthearted movie about friendship”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild bullying”
- “Gross-out humor (eating worms)”
- “Some crude language (e.g., a child referencing his ‘dilly dick’)”
- “Potentially upsetting scenes for viewers sensitive to depictions of food challenges”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “A lighthearted movie that tackles bullying in a memorable way. Its focus on pre-teen humor might not appeal to everyone, but it offers genuine moments of connection.
- All Movie Guide: “More gross-out gags than genuine laughs, the story lacks depth but provides a few entertaining moments for younger viewers. The film is loosely based on Rockwell’s popular novel.
Audience Reactions
The inventive worm-cooking scenes were a hit!: Kids found the movie hilarious and loved the over-the-top grossness.
The ending was heartwarming: The movie had moments of bullying, but everyone comes together in the end
Overall Consensus: A fun, albeit gross, kids’ movie with a positive message about friendship.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the popular children’s book of the same name by Thomas Rockwell.”
- “Luke Benward almost missed the audition due to traffic delays, but a kind FedEx employee helped him submit his tape on time.”
- “Director Bob Dolman also wrote for ‘The Banger Sisters’ and ‘SCTV’.”
- “The movie filmed in Austin, Texas.”
- “The filmmakers jokingly claimed, ‘No worms were harmed in the making of this film,’ even showing one exploding in a microwave during the credits.”
🖥️ How to Watch How to Eat Fried Worms?
How to Eat Fried Worms is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check local listings for streaming availability as it may vary by region. Unfortunately, at this time, the movie is not included with a standard streaming subscription from either platform.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed How to Eat Fried Worms, you might like these similar films:
- Bridge to Terabithia (2007): Deals with themes of childhood friendship, imagination, and coping with difficult situations, similar to the emotional core of ‘How to Eat Fried Worms’.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010): Focuses on the trials and tribulations of middle school, including navigating friendships and dealing with bullies.
- The Sandlot (1993): Captures the essence of childhood adventures, camaraderie, and overcoming challenges as a group.
🛒 How to Eat Fried Worms Related Products
- How to Eat Fried Worms (Paperback): The original book by Thomas Rockwell that inspired the movie. A great way to encourage reading and engage with the story on a deeper level.
- Realistic Worms 50-Pack – Gag Gift / Prank: A box of super-realistic fake worms, perfect for recreating scenes from the movie or pulling harmless pranks on friends and family. Add some fun and whimsy to your day.
- How to Eat Fried Worms [Movie Poster]: Poster to commemorate your favorite scenes. Made of high quality heavy weight paper for crisp, vibrant and long lasting colors.
- Worm-Themed Party Supplies: Host a unique viewing party with worm-themed decorations, plates, and napkins. Add a memorable touch to your celebration.
🎧 Soundtrack
How to Eat Fried Worms features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
How to Eat Fried Worms is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. It is currently not available on subscription-based streaming services.
Yes, How to Eat Fried Worms is based on the popular children’s novel of the same name by Thomas Rockwell.
The movie promotes themes of friendship, overcoming bullying, and finding strength in unity, suggesting that genuine connection is more valuable than winning petty disputes.
🔥 Bonus Content
how to eat fried worms
Ever wondered what kids *really* think about ‘How to Eat Fried Worms’? This book report gives you the lowdown straight from a young reader – super insightful and surprisingly funny!
How To Eat Fried Worms – Dance Dance Revolution Scene
Remember that wild Dance Dance Revolution scene from ‘How to Eat Fried Worms’? This clip is pure chaotic fun – definitely a highlight of the movie, if you ask me!
Bright Learners: How to Eat Fried Worms – Chapter 1
Want to see where the movie all began? Check out this reading of Chapter 1 of ‘How to Eat Fried Worms’ – it’s cool to hear the story in its original form!
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