The Croods Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A caveman dad learns that maybe, just maybe, his teenage daughter liking the hot new cave-neighbor isn’t the END OF THE WORLD (even though the world IS ending).

🍿 The Croods: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life in the Cave: Grug’s Rules

The Croods, a Neanderthal family, live a sheltered life in a cave, governed by the strict rules of Grug, the overprotective father. Grug’s mantra is ‘Never not be afraid,’ emphasizing that exploration and new things are dangerous. This stifles the adventurous spirit of his teenage daughter, Eep, who yearns to explore the world beyond their cave. Grug’s rules are the only reason why his family has survived this long. The world outside the cave is a scary and dangerous place. But Eep and the other members of the Croods family, are getting bored of Grug’s rules and want to venture out of the cave.

Meeting Guy and the Imminent ‘End’

One night, Eep disobeys her father and encounters Guy, a more evolved and intelligent Homo sapiens, who possesses fire and warns of an impending ‘end’ to their world. Guy is more intelligent than the Croods and is able to conjure ideas out of thin air. He tells Eep that she should come with him to a safer place. Intrigued and captivated by Guy’s knowledge and the promise of a better future, Eep is torn between her family’s safety and her desire for adventure. Guy gives Eep a shell to blow into if she needs his help. However, Grug is obviously hesitant with Eep talking to a ‘new thing’ and forbids her from seeing him again.

The Cave’s Destruction and the Journey Begins

An earthquake destroys the Croods’ cave, forcing them to venture into a vibrant and dangerous new world. With their home gone, they must rely on Guy’s guidance to navigate the changing landscape and find a safe haven. This marks the beginning of their journey of discovery and adaptation. With the world rapidly changing around them, the Croods must learn to embrace new ideas and overcome their fears to survive. However, Grug is very stubborn and wants to stick to his old ways. The world is changing and he needs to change with it.

Grug vs. Guy: A Clash of Ideologies

As the Croods journey with Guy, Grug’s traditional methods clash with Guy’s innovative solutions. Grug feels threatened by Guy’s influence over his family, particularly Eep, leading to a humorous and heartfelt conflict between the two males as they vie for leadership. The Croods eventually are starting to adapt to Guy’s new ways of survival, which leaves Grug in the dust. Guy’s ideas are slowly adopted by the Croods family, who learn to embrace ‘Tomorrow’, while Grug’s ideas reflect the traditions of ‘Yesterday’. The clash in tradition leads to hurt feelings and an eventual fight between Guy and Grug.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Grug (Nicolas Cage): The overprotective patriarch of the Croods family who struggles to adapt to new ideas and maintain his role as protector.
• Eep (Emma Stone): Grug’s adventurous teenage daughter who yearns for exploration and embraces the changing world.
• Guy (Ryan Reynolds): An intelligent and inventive modern cave boy who introduces the Croods to new ideas and technologies.
• Ugga (Catherine Keener): Grug’s supportive wife who gradually embraces Guy’s progressive ideas for the family’s survival.
• Gran (Cloris Leachman): Ugga’s feisty and resilient mother who provides comic relief while adapting to the changing world.
• Thunk (Clark Duke): Grug and Ugga’s son, a gentle giant who is initially afraid of new things but ultimately embraces change.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grug: “Never… not be afraid!” – Grug’s mantra, emphasizing the importance of fear for survival, which is challenged throughout the film.
• Guy: “Tomorrow is a place where we don’t have to hide in a cave.” – Guy describes his vision of a better future, inspiring hope and adventure.
• Eep: “I want to see it. I want to see everything!” – Eep’s desire for exploration and discovery, driving her to challenge her father’s cautious ways.
• Grug: “I call it… a hug!” – Grug introduces the concept of a hug, symbolizing his newfound openness and affection.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $135,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $187,168,425
• Worldwide Gross: $587,266,745

💥 The Croods Reviews

Personal Review

I really loved this movie! The animation is so vibrant and imaginative – the creatures are hilarious and the landscapes are gorgeous. It’s a heartwarming story about family and adapting to change, and it made me laugh out loud. The scene where Grug learns to let go and trust Eep’s judgment really got to me. I think it’s a movie that parents and kids can enjoy together and find meaningful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for an animated adventure”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about family dynamics”
  • “Fans of colorful animation and imaginative creatures”
  • “Those who appreciate movies with positive messages about change and growth”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Cartoon violence and action sequences”
  • “Some scenes may be intense for very young children”
  • “Brief peril and mild thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Fuse: “While formulaic, ‘The Croods’ is elevated by its writing and direction. It focuses on family dynamics, with a protective father learning to accept change. The humor is physical, and the animation is fantastic. A surprisingly enjoyable animated movie.
• Common Sense Media: “The Croods features positive messages about family and teamwork, with lots of slapstick violence and mild peril. The visuals are vibrant and creative, and the voice acting is top-notch. Kids and parents will both find plenty to enjoy.

Audience Reactions

The unique creatures and vibrant animation made the world feel alive and exciting.: Viewers praised the film’s humor, heart, and stunning visuals, making it a hit with both kids and adults.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and heartwarming family adventure that blends humor and emotion, though some find the story predictable.

Awards

1. Kids’ Choice Awards (Favorite Animated Movie)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chunky the “Macawnivore” was initially a joke by artist Leighton Hickman, who painted the saber-tooth tiger with bright “parrot” colors as he was bored with the drab desert colors. The filmmakers liked it so much, they used it in the final film.”
• “This was the first DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by 20th Century Fox after DreamWorks’ distribution deal with Paramount Pictures ended.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Croods?

The Croods is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, where it’s often available for rent or purchase. Additionally, it can be found on Apple TV and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. For physical copies, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy offer Blu-ray and DVD versions of the movie. Be sure to compare prices and availability across different platforms to find the best option for you.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Croods, you might like these similar films:

• Ice Age (2002): Features prehistoric mammals banding together and experiencing the Ice Age.
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Also directed by Chris Sanders, it explores themes of family and acceptance in a fantastical setting.
• The Flintstones (1994): A live-action take on a classic animated series, offering a comedic view of prehistoric life.
• Moana (2016): Focuses on a young, adventurous female protagonist challenging tradition and exploring the world.
• Quest for Fire (1981): A more serious, dramatic take on prehistoric life and the discovery of fire, appealing to viewers interested in a more realistic depiction of the era.

🛒 The Croods Related Products

• The Croods: A New Age [Blu-ray]: Continue the Croods’ journey in this sequel filled with even more prehistoric adventures and hilarious moments. Great for family movie night.
• The Art of The Croods: Dive into the creative process behind the film with concept art, character designs, and behind-the-scenes insights. A must-have for animation enthusiasts.
• Croods Collectible Figures: Add to your collection with character figures from ‘The Croods’. Collect your favorite prehistoric characters and creatures.
• Croods-themed Board Game: Have Family Game Night with a Croods theme! Exciting board games with the Croods and their pets.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Croods features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Shine Your Way” – performed by Owl City & Yuna
• “Tusk” – performed by Alan Silvestri and the USC Trojan Marching Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cool Grug But Its Minecraft

Have you ever wondered what The Croods would be like if it was set in the world of Minecraft? This hilarious parody has got you covered!

Everything Wrong With The Croods In 14 Minutes Or Less

If you’re a fan of The Croods and enjoy a good laugh, this video is a must-watch. CinemaSins takes aim at the movie’s plot holes and inconsistencies, but does so in a hilarious way.

Wait, WHAT? The Croods 2 is ACTUALLY GOOD?!?

Curious about ‘The Croods 2’? Schaffrillas Productions gives his honest opinion on the sequel, discussing what makes it a worthy follow-up or not.

✨ Rate