🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: David Soren
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sport
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (117K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 58%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A snail gets juiced up on car fumes and thinks he’s Vin Diesel, deciding the only logical thing to do is race in the Indy 500.
🍿 Turbo: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Snail’s Dream of Speed
Theo, a garden snail in Los Angeles, dreams of being a race car driver, idolizing Indy 500 champion Guy Gagné. His obsession with speed makes him an outcast in the slow-paced snail community, much to the dismay of his cautious brother, Chet. Theo longs to escape his mundane life and achieve the impossible.

Accident and Transformation
One night, while venturing onto a freeway, Theo is caught in a street race and gets sucked into the supercharger of a car, fusing his DNA with nitrous oxide. The next day, he discovers he has gained incredible speed and some car-like features, such as headlights and taillights. He renames himself ‘Turbo’.

From Taco Stand to Indy 500
After displaying his new powers, Turbo is captured by Tito, a taco truck driver who races snails. Tito sees Turbo as an opportunity to revive his struggling business at Starlight Plaza. With the help of other snails, led by Whiplash, and support from the local community, Turbo and Tito embark on an improbable journey to enter the Indy 500.

Qualifying and Facing Doubt
Against all odds, Turbo qualifies for the Indy 500, stunning the racing world and becoming a media sensation. However, he faces doubt and skepticism, particularly from his brother Chet, who fears for his safety. Turbo also encounters his hero, Guy Gagné, who reveals a manipulative side, warning Turbo to withdraw from the race.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Turbo (Ryan Reynolds): A garden snail who dreams of being the fastest racer in the world and achieves super-speed after a freak accident.
- Chet (Paul Giamatti): Turbo’s cautious older brother who initially disapproves of his racing dreams but ultimately supports him.
- Tito (Michael Peña): A taco truck driver who discovers Turbo’s speed and believes in his potential to race in the Indy 500.
- Whiplash (Samuel L. Jackson): The leader of the Starlight Plaza snail crew who mentors Turbo and helps him embrace his unique abilities.
- Guy Gagné (Bill Hader): Turbo’s racing idol and five-time Indianapolis 500 champion, who reveals a ruthless ambition and becomes Turbo’s rival.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Turbo: “No dream is too big, and no dreamer is too small.” – This line encapsulates the central theme of the movie, inspiring viewers to pursue their aspirations regardless of their limitations.
- Whiplash: “Your trash talk is needlessly complicated!” – Whiplash says this to Turbo after Turbo uses complicated trash talk.
- Turbo: “Is it? Or is it that your unpaid bills… are overdue?” – Turbo replies to Whiplash after Whiplash says Turbo’s trash talk is complicated.
- Whiplash: “Enough talk! It’s time… for action.” – Whiplash says this to Turbo when he gets annoyed with Turbo’s trash talk.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $135,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $83,028,128
- Worldwide Gross: $282,570,682
💥 Turbo Reviews
Personal Review
I gotta say, Turbo was a fun ride! The visuals popped, and I was genuinely rooting for that little snail. The whole concept is ridiculous, but it’s that kind of ‘anything is possible’ vibe that made me smile. I especially loved the scenes with the taco truck brothers – their dynamic was hilarious. And the final race? I was on the edge of my seat! This is a great movie to watch when you want something lighthearted and inspiring. I think the soundtrack made movie even more enjoyable!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families with young children”
- “Fans of animated movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy underdog stories”
- “People who like racing themes”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some scenes of peril and mild action violence”
- “Brief moments of cartoonish danger”
Professional Reviews
- Common Critic: “While visually vibrant and featuring a talented voice cast, Turbo’s plot treads familiar ground, lacking originality and emotional depth. The racing sequences are exciting, but the film ultimately struggles to rise above its predictable underdog narrative.
- Indie Film Review: “Turbo is a surprisingly charming animated film that, despite its somewhat outlandish premise, delivers a heartwarming message about pursuing your dreams. The humor is well-placed, and the characters are endearing, making it a fun watch for the whole family.
Audience Reactions
The kids loved it and can not stop talking about it! Very entertaining for both adults and the children!: Most viewers praised the film’s vibrant animation, humor, and positive message.
Overall Consensus: Turbo is a visually appealing and entertaining animated film with a heartwarming message, though some find the plot predictable and unoriginal.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “An IndyCar was parked inside the DreamWorks studio during production to provide artists immediate access to the race cars featured in the film.”
- “Dario Franchitti, a professional IndyCar racer, served as a consultant for the film, ensuring the accuracy of the racing sequences.”
🖥️ How to Watch Turbo?
Turbo is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability and pricing. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Turbo, you might like these similar films:
- Cars (2006): Both movies center around racing and the importance of believing in yourself, with a similar underdog theme.
- Ratatouille (2007): Features an unlikely protagonist with a passion and talent for something unexpected, facing skepticism but ultimately succeeding.
- Antz (1998): About an ant trying to be more than just an ant
- The Croods (2013): Another DreamWorks Animation film released in the same year that deals with family dynamics and venturing outside one’s comfort zone.
🛒 Turbo Related Products
- Turbo: DreamWorks Animation: Engage with the movie with the Turbo storybook, a beautifully illustrated interactive experience and is great for kids.
- Turbo Remote Control Turbo Shell Racer: A detailed Turbo racer replica from the movie. This is great for display or play.
- Turbo Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for any fan.
- Turbo T-Shirt: Wear your Turbo spirit! High-quality T-shirt with Turbo artwork.
🎧 Soundtrack
Turbo 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
Turbo gained his super speed after being sucked into the engine of a race car and infused with nitrous oxide, which altered his DNA.
Starlight Plaza is a run-down strip mall where Tito, the taco truck driver, operates his business. It becomes the home base for Turbo and the other racing snails.
The main characters include Turbo (Theo), a garden snail with dreams of racing, Chet, his cautious brother, Tito, a taco truck driver who supports Turbo, and Whiplash, the leader of the racing snail crew.
The movie’s message is that no dream is too big and no dreamer too small. It emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself and pursuing your passions, even when others doubt you.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why Turbo is a weird movie
Wondering why Turbo is such a peculiar movie? Join this video essayist on a 17-minute journey to explore its weird and wonderful elements. You’ll definitely gain a new appreciation for this animated underdog story!
Was King Candy Vanellope’s Father before Turbo took over Sugar Rush? – Wreck-It Ralph Theory
Prepare to have your mind blown! This theory video explores a fascinating connection between Turbo and Wreck-It Ralph. Could Turbo be the reason why King Candy ruled Sugar Rush before Vanellope? Dive in and discover the surprising insights!
The Wreck It Ralph Turbo Theory
Think you know the story of Turbo and Wreck-It Ralph? Think again! This captivating theory video connects the dots between these two animated worlds, revealing a surprising twist that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.