🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Trevor Wall
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 3.4/10 (10K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A polar bear goes to New York to become a mascot and stop condos, but mostly just dances with lemmings.
🍿 Norm of the North: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Arctic Outcast
Norm, a polar bear, is different from the rest. He can speak human languages, a trait he inherited from his grandfather. This ability makes him an outcast, accepted only by Socrates, a wise puffin, and Elizabeth, a female polar bear he’s fond of. Norm struggles to fit in and master traditional polar bear skills.

The Human Invasion
Years later, Norm’s grandfather vanishes, and the Arctic is overrun with tourists. A luxury condo appears, signaling further intrusion. Vera, a representative for developer Mr. Greene, arrives, furthering the threat to Norm’s home. The animals worry about the future of their habitat.

Journey to New York
Norm saves Vera from an avalanche, and Mr. Greene seeks an actor to play a polar bear for his campaign. Socrates convinces Norm and the lemmings to stow away to New York City, hoping to sabotage Greene’s plans from within. They embark on a comedic adventure to protect their homeland.

Big Apple Shenanigans
In New York, Norm auditions as an actor in a polar bear suit and gets the part. Mr. Greene, aware Norm is a real bear, suspects he’s there to free his captured grandfather. This sets up a series of comedic events and high-stakes attempts to expose Greene’s plan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Norm (Rob Schneider): A polar bear who can talk to humans and embarks on a mission to save his Arctic home from development.
- Mr. Greene (Ken Jeong): A wealthy and greedy real estate developer determined to build luxury condos in the Arctic.
- Vera (Heather Graham): Mr. Greene’s assistant who initially supports the development but eventually switches sides to help Norm.
- Olympia (Maya Kay): Vera’s intelligent daughter who befriends Norm and helps him in his fight against Mr. Greene’s plans.
- Socrates (Bill Nighy): A wise bird who acts as Norm’s mentor and encourages him to take action against the human encroachment.
- Grandfather (Colm Meaney): Norm’s grandfather, who also possesses the ability to speak to humans and guides Norm in his journey.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Vera: “Are you ready to come out, Norm?” – Vera asks Norm if he is ready to reveal himself during his performance.
- Norm: “I think I just did.” – Norm awkwardly replies after wearing a flamboyant costume for his performance.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $17,062,499
- Worldwide Gross: $30,734,502
💥 Norm of the North Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this with my niece and nephew, and honestly, I was not expecting much. The animation felt a little dated, and the story was pretty basic – save the Arctic from a greedy developer. There were a few moments that made the kids laugh, especially the lemmings; those guys were chaotic! I think if you’re looking for something to keep little ones entertained for an hour and a half, and you don’t mind turning your brain off, then *Norm of the North* will do the trick. Just don’t expect a Pixar-level masterpiece.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Young children (ages 3-8)”
- “Families looking for a simple animated movie”
- “Viewers interested in films with environmental themes”
- “Fans of Rob Schneider’s voice acting”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild cartoon violence”
- “Potty humor (fart and pee jokes)”
- “Some suggestive humor that may not be appropriate for all children”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “Despite a well-meaning message about environmentalism, *Norm of the North* falls flat with uninspired animation and a predictable plot. Younger kids might enjoy the slapstick humor, but older viewers will likely find it tiresome.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The film’s environmental message is buried under a mountain of tired clichés and uninspired animation. While the voice cast does their best, *Norm of the North* ultimately fails to deliver a compelling or entertaining experience.
- Variety: “*Norm of the North* is a forgettable animated film that offers little to engage audiences. The story is predictable, the humor is weak, and the animation lacks the polish of its competitors. A disappointment on all fronts.
Audience Reactions
Kids loved the lemmings and their silly antics, finding them hilarious.: The target audience of young children seemed to enjoy the movie’s slapstick humor and colorful characters.
Some appreciated the film’s environmental message, even if it was heavy-handed.: The film’s attempt to raise awareness about environmental issues was seen as a positive aspect by some viewers.
Overall Consensus: A generally panned animated film that some young children may find entertaining, but adults will likely find tiresome and uninspired.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Chicago comedian Matt Bryne did a performance art piece claiming he directed this movie, until he received a cease and desist letter.”
- “The UK release replaces Michael McElhatton as the voice of Laurence with James Corden.”
🖥️ How to Watch Norm of the North?
Norm of the North is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options that may offer on-demand viewing. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Norm of the North, you might like these similar films:
- Madagascar (2005): Features a group of animals escaping their natural habitat and finding themselves in New York City.
- Happy Feet (2006): Animated film with a strong environmental message, featuring an animal protagonist who is different from his peers.
- The Wild (2006): Animated movie where animals from a zoo venture into the wild and New York City.
🛒 Norm of the North Related Products
- Norm of the North: King Sized Adventure [Blu-ray]: Get the adventure with Norm in this high-definition blu-ray version. Perfect for family movie nights with Norm and his buddies.
- Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom: Norm, the Arctic’s unlikely hero, is back! He’s got big responsibilities as the newly crowned King of the Arctic, but when his crown is stolen, Norm must embark on a wild race across the globe to track down the thief. Join Norm and his loyal lemmings as they journey from the Arctic to New York City and beyond in this action-packed adventure.
- Aurora World Plush – Norm of the North – Lemming: Bring home a cuddly lemming plush from Norm of the North. A soft and huggable companion for fans of all ages.
- Norm of the North: Family Vacation [DVD]: When Norm loses his crown and family jewels on a cruise ship, his responsibility to his family and kingdom are tested as he sets out to recover them. Enjoy the laughs, great music, and non-stop adventure for the whole family with this special new movie!
🎧 Soundtrack
Norm of the North 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
Norm of the North is an animated movie about a polar bear named Norm who travels to New York City with his lemming friends to stop a real estate developer from building condos in the Arctic and destroying his home.
You can watch Norm of the North on streaming platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. It is also available for rent or purchase on Google Play Movies and Vudu. You can also buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
Yes, Norm of the North is generally suitable for kids. It is rated U (UK) and PG (US), indicating that it is appropriate for general audiences with some material that parents might want to discuss with younger children.
🔥 Bonus Content
Norm of the North – Movie Review
Want a straight-up, no-nonsense take on ‘Norm of the North’? Chris Stuckmann gives it to you straight, so you know exactly what you’re getting into. He points out what worked and what definitely didn’t!
Norm of the north is actually the worst movie ever made
Ever wondered if ‘Norm of the North’ could be the *worst* movie ever? This reviewer makes a pretty strong case, and it’s hilarious to watch him break it down. Check it out if you want some seriously savage opinions!
The Most UNHINGED Movie Marketing Ever – Diamondbolt
Did you know the marketing for ‘Norm of the North’ was… a bit wild? This video dives into the strange and often baffling marketing choices made for this movie. Trust me, it’s way more interesting than the movie itself!
Norm of the North – 1st Viewing
Want to see people react to ‘Norm of the North’ in real-time? Doug and Rob of Channel Awesome give their honest, unfiltered first impressions. It’s like watching a train wreck, but in a funny way!
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