🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Hastings
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Music, Musical
- Release year: 2002
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 4.3/10 (6.4K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bear runs away from his human family, joins a washed-up band of anthropomorphic bears, and saves their concert hall from a developer who’s secretly a failed armpit musician.
🍿 The Country Bears: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Beary’s Identity Crisis and Journey
Beary Barrington, a young bear raised by a human family, feels out of place. His brother reveals he is adopted leading Beary to question his identity. This prompts him to leave home and seek out the Country Bears, a legendary band that once played at Country Bear Hall.

Saving Country Bear Hall
Beary discovers that Country Bear Hall, the band’s former venue, is threatened with demolition by the greedy Reed Thimple. Determined to save it, Beary sets out to reunite the Country Bears for a benefit concert. He teams up with the band’s former manager, Henry, to track down the members.

Reuniting the Band
Beary and Henry embark on a road trip, encountering each band member in various situations. They persuade Fred Bedderhead, Zeb Zoober, Tennessee O’Neal and Trixie St. Claire to rejoin the band. Along the way, they face comical obstacles, including bumbling police officers and personal conflicts within the group.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Beary Barrington (Haley Joel Osment): A young bear, raised by a human family, who embarks on a journey to reunite his favorite band, The Country Bears, and save their concert hall.
- Ted Bedderhead (Diedrich Bader): The lead vocalist and guitarist of the Country Bears, initially reluctant to reunite due to past conflicts.
- Reed Thimple (Christopher Walken): The greedy banker and thwarted musician who seeks to destroy Country Bear Hall, motivated by revenge.
- Henry Dixon Taylor (Kevin Michael Richardson): The dedicated manager of the Country Bears, determined to help Beary bring the band back together.
- Dex Barrington (Eli Marienthal): Beary’s human brother who initially struggles with jealousy but ultimately supports Beary’s journey.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Norbert Barrington: “People who love you, no matter what, that’s your family.” – Beary’s adoptive father says this to reassure him about being different.
- Reed Thimple: “Oh no, Country Bear Hall has been crushed!” – Thimple dramatically exclaims this after accidentally destroying a model of Country Bear Hall.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $16,990,825
- Worldwide Gross: $18,012,097
💥 The Country Bears Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting… well, not much. But honestly? I was entertained! Christopher Walken is always a win, even when he’s doing… *that*. The car wash scene with the cops had me snorting with laughter, and some of the cameos were legitimately surprising. It’s not high art, but if you need a silly, feel-good movie, this might just be it. I especially like the fact it doesn’t have too much sexual content unlike most movies that have come out recently.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families with young children”
- “Fans of the Country Bear Jamboree attraction”
- “Those seeking a lighthearted musical comedy”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some slapstick violence and mild thematic elements”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Walken and Osment can’t save this mess. The bears are creepy, and the plot is disjointed. The jokes fall flat. The plot, what there is of it, is very predictable. Only recommended for the very young or Christopher Walken completionists.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Has some fun musical numbers and some great comedic scenes. But the film is not for all ages, and it might scare some younger viewers. Some of the bear characters may be unconvincing for some viewers.
- IMDb: “The musical sequence at the diner is perfect satire of movie musicals, cameos are priceless, and the groundskeeper bear is hilarious. It may be trippy and weird, but it’s worth watching.
Audience Reactions
The cameos by famous musicians were a delightful surprise and added to the fun.: Viewers appreciated the film’s lighthearted humor and family-friendly content.
Christopher Walken’s performance was a highlight, even in such a silly role.: Many found the music enjoyable and appreciated the classic rock vibes.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted, family-friendly musical comedy with a predictable plot but memorable cameos and enjoyable music. Critics panned it, but some viewers found it entertaining.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the Country Bear Jamboree, a long-running attraction at Disney theme parks.”
- “Several well-known musicians make cameo appearances, including Elton John, Willie Nelson, and Queen Latifah.”
- “The bear suits were designed and constructed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.”
- “Daryl Mitchell’s final movie before becoming paraplegic from a motorcycle accident in November 2001.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Country Bears?
The Country Bears is available for streaming and purchase through various platforms. You can find it on Disney+, where it’s included with a subscription. The movie is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Country Bears, you might like these similar films:
- The Blues Brothers (1980): Shares a similar plot of reuniting a band to save a beloved venue, filled with musical performances and comedic situations.
- The Muppet Movie (1979): Features a road trip adventure with musical numbers and celebrity cameos, appealing to a family audience.
- A Mighty Wind (2003): A mockumentary about a folk music reunion concert, offering a satirical take on the music industry.
🛒 The Country Bears Related Products
- The Country Bears (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the movie’s musical moments with this digital soundtrack, featuring catchy tunes and iconic cameo performances.Perfect for bear and music fans.
- Disney The Country Bears Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the film’s original poster. Add it to your collection or display it as a fun reminder of your love for the movie.
- Country Bear Jamboree T-Shirt: Show off your love for the Country Bears with this soft, comfortable tee. Featuring a classic design inspired by the original theme park attraction.
- Disney Parks Country Bear Jamboree Big Al Plush – Small – 11”: It’s Big Al from The Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World wearing a cowboy hat! Polyester/Polyurethane foam
🎧 Soundtrack
The Country Bears features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Kick It Into Gear” – performed by Jennifer Paige
- “We’re An American Band” – performed by Grand Funk Railroad
- “Let It Ride” – performed by John Hiatt
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, The Country Bears is based on a Disneyland attraction called The Country Bear Jamboree. The movie expands on the characters and the concept of the attraction.
The main characters include Beary Barrington, a young bear seeking his identity; Ted Bedderhead, the lead singer of the Country Bears; and Reed Thimple, the antagonist trying to destroy Country Bear Hall.
The Country Bears is available on Disney+ and can be rented or purchased on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies.
🔥 Bonus Content
Yesterworld: The History of the Country Bear Jamboree – Disney’s Beloved Animatronic Show
Ever wondered where the Country Bears movie *really* came from? This video dives deep into the history of the Country Bear Jamboree attraction, and honestly, it’s way more interesting than I expected. Definitely worth a watch!
The Country Bears – First Viewing
Want to relive the cringe… or maybe discover a hidden gem? Doug and Rob from Channel Awesome watch ‘The Country Bears’ for the first time, and their reactions are priceless. Prepare for some laughs (and maybe a few groans)!
Country Bears
Check out this bizarre animated short that was *almost* in the Country Bears movie! It’s a weird little gem that gives you a peek behind the curtain of what could have been. Definitely worth a watch for its sheer oddity!
Bone to Pick: The Country Bears
Let’s be real, ‘The Country Bears’ is… well, it’s something. This review hilariously dissects the movie and asks the question we’ve all been thinking: who greenlit this?! Get ready for some serious roasting!
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