Where the Wild Things Are (film)
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Founder | Maurice Sendak, John B. Carls |
| Parent | Universal Studios (initial rights holder), Warner Bros. (production rights holder) |
Where the Wild Things Are is a 2009 fantasy adventure drama film directed by Spike Jonze. The screenplay, co-written by Jonze and Dave Eggers, adapts Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book of the same title. This production blends live-action, costumed performers, animatronics, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The cast features Max Records, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ruffalo, with voice roles provided by Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, and Forest Whitaker. The narrative centers on Max, a boy who voyages to an island inhabited by creatures known as "Wild Things," who appoint him their king.
During the early 1980s, The Walt Disney Company explored adapting the story through a combination of traditional animation and CGI backgrounds, but the initiative was halted following a test reel. In 1999, rights were obtained by Universal Studios, which initially planned a computer-animated version featuring Disney animator Eric Goldberg. By 2003, the project shifted toward live-action, with Goldberg replaced by Jonze. The production team included producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Sendak, John Carls, and Vincent Landay. With an estimated budget near $100 million, the film was co-produced by companies from Australia, Germany, and the United States, with principal photography taking place mainly in Melbourne.
Where the Wild Things Are debuted in the United States on 16 October 2009, followed by releases in Australia on 3 December and Germany on 17 December. Although Warner Bros. internally questioned its appeal to younger audiences, the film received favorable critical acclaim and appeared on multiple year-end top ten lists. Financially, it underperformed, earning roughly $100 million worldwide against its production costs. The home media release on DVD and Blu-ray occurred on 2 March 2010.
Plot
Max is a nine-year-old boy with a vivid imagination whose parents are divorced. His older sister Claire pays no attention when her friends destroy Max’s snow fort during a snowball fight. Upset, Max retaliates by breaking a frame he made for her. Later that evening, when his mother invites her boyfriend Adrian over for dinner, Max becomes upset because she fails to spend time with him as promised. Donning his wolf costume, Max creates havoc in the house and bites his mother, who reprimands him for losing control. Frightened, Max flees and discovers a small boat near a riverbank.
He sails to an island inhabited by seven large creatures called the Wild Things: Carol, Ira, Judith, Alexander, Douglas, the Bull, and KW. Carol is throwing a tantrum over KW’s departure. Although Max attempts to join their wild activities, they regard him with suspicion. When they consider eating him, Max persuades them that he is a king endowed with magical powers capable of bringing peace. They then crown him their ruler. After KW returns with two owl companions named Bob and Terry, Carol feels threatened by these outsiders. To release tension, Max organizes a dirt-clod battle dividing the tribe into "good guys" and "bad guys." Alexander gets hurt during the fight, and Carol blames KW for accidentally stepping on his head as a joke; this causes KW to leave again.
Max finds Alexander alone inside the fort; Alexander admits he knows Max isn’t truly magical but warns him not to disclose this to Carol. Douglas reveals Max’s secret during one of Carol’s outbursts about the fort’s condition and Max’s leadership shortcomings. In response, Carol tears off Douglas’s right arm—only sand falls out—and chases Max into the forest intending to eat him. KW rescues Max by concealing him within her stomach and explains how difficult life is due to Carol’s worsening tantrums. Understanding his mother’s struggles better now, Max decides it is time to leave.
Returning to the damaged model island he built earlier, Max leaves a token for Carol. He tells her he must go home because he is not truly a king; Carol reacts with disdain. The other Wild Things accompany Max back to his boat. Upon seeing the token left behind, Carol pursues him; they howl together as the others join in chorus. Carol shares a gentle smile with KW before parting ways. Back at home, Max reunites with his mother who offers him soup, chocolate cake, and milk. She sits beside him as he eats and eventually falls asleep at the table.
Live action
- Max Records portrays Max, a boy often misunderstood but rich in imagination.
- Catherine Keener plays Connie, Max's mother.
- Mark Ruffalo appears as Adrian, Connie’s boyfriend.
- Pepita Emmerichs takes on the role of Claire, Max’s elder sister.
- Steve Mouzakis acts as Max's teacher.
- Max Pfeifer, Madeleine Greaves, Joshua Jay, and Ryan Corr feature as Claire’s friends.
Voice cast
- James Gandolfini voices Carol, the passionate yet caring leader of the Wild Things.
- Lauren Ambrose provides the voice for KW, who starts as a solitary figure but grows into a nurturing presence for Max.
- Chris Cooper is Douglas, a peacemaker among the Wild Things and Carol’s closest companion.
- Forest Whitaker lends his voice to Ira, a gentle Wild Thing.
- Catherine O'Hara voices Judith, a fierce lion-like Wild Thing and Ira’s partner.
- Paul Dano portrays Alexander, a goat-like Wild Thing often overlooked and mistreated.
- Michael Berry Jr. provides the voice for The Bull, a silent yet formidable Wild Thing.
- Spike Jonze voices Bob and Terry, two owls who are companions of KW.
Suit performers
- Vincent Crowley performs as Carol
- Alice Parkinson as KW
- John Leary as Douglas
- Sam Longley as Ira
- Nick Farnell as Judith
- Sonny Gerasimowicz as Alexander
- Angus Sampson as The Bull
Development
The concept for Where the Wild Things Are originated in the early 1980s at Walt Disney Productions, initially envisioned as an animated film combining traditional animation with CGI. Despite test animations created by artists like Glen Keane and John Lasseter, progress halted.
In 1992, Maurice Sendak partnered with producer John B. Carls to establish Wild Things Productions with the aim of adapting Sendak’s works. By 1999, Universal Studios and Playtone had secured adaptation rights, planning a live-action/CGI hybrid directed by Gore Verbinski with Eric Warren Singer writing. By 2001, Universal shifted direction toward a fully computer-animated film under Disney animator Eric Goldberg's direction. The project reverted to live-action in 2003 when Spike Jonze became involved; Jonze had previously collaborated with Sendak on an uncompleted adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon.
Sendak endorsed Jonze for his innovative approach. However, creative differences between Universal and Sendak regarding Jonze’s vision resulted in Warner Bros. obtaining production rights.
In 2005, Jonze teamed up with writer Dave Eggers to expand the story into a 111-page script. Open casting calls for the role of Max were held starting July 2006, ultimately selecting Max Records. Howard Berger, an experienced make-up effects supervisor, declined to participate multiple times due to creative disagreements; animatronic suits for the Wild Things were eventually crafted by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Throughout production, Jonze collaborated closely with Sendak, who approved the creature designs created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. To ensure a relaxed atmosphere for young lead Max Records on set, crew members brought their own children along—some even appeared in classroom scenes.
Michelle Williams was originally cast to voice KW but departed after her vocal performance did not fit the film’s direction; Lauren Ambrose replaced her prior to filming resuming.
Filming and special effects
Principal photography occurred between July and December 2006 at Docklands Studios Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia.
In 2008, early test footage surfaced online, eliciting a range of responses. Director Spike Jonze referred to it as "a very early test" for the facial SFX. Nevertheless, unfavorable reactions from fans and reports of young viewers feeling uneasy during test screenings led Warner Bros. to postpone the film's release by one year from its original October 2008 date. There was even speculation that the studio might opt for a complete reshoot.
Alan F. Horn, then president of Warner Bros., explained that the studio allocated additional resources and extended the timeline to better align Jonze's vision with a wider audience's expectations, stressing their intention to avoid producing a "bland, sanitized studio movie." Producer Gary Goetzman also expressed confidence in Jonze’s artistic approach.
Late in 2008, Jonze partnered with Framestore in London to complete the animation and special effects, collaborating closely with animators to bring to life performances initially captured through voice recordings and suit acting in Australia. He re-filmed several sequences and introduced three new scenes, which raised the budget from $75 million to $100 million.
Music
For the film's trailer, Arcade Fire recorded a new version of "Wake Up" from their album Funeral. This rendition is neither included in the movie nor on the soundtrack and has not been released publicly.
The soundtrack features tracks such as "Hideaway", "Rumpus", "Worried Shoes", and "All Is Love" performed by Karen O, Zahida K, Anisa R K, and the Kids.
Box office
The marketing strategy deliberately avoided positioning the film exclusively as a children's feature, dedicating 70% of promotional efforts toward a broad audience with an adult focus.
Premiering in North America on 16 October 2009 across standard and IMAX venues, it garnered around $32.7 million during its opening weekend. The domestic total reached $77.2 million, complemented by $22.8 million from international markets. Despite these figures, the production’s estimated $100 million budget resulted in financial losses for the studio.
Internationally, the film debuted in Australia on 4 December 2009; followed by releases in Ireland and the UK on 11 December 2009; Germany on 17 December 2009; and Russia on 4 February 2010.
Critical response
On the review platform Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 73% approval rating based on 270 critiques, with an average score of 7 out of 10. The summary reads: "While its somber mood and minimalist storyline may deter some viewers, Spike Jonze's sincere rendition of the beloved children's book is both striking and uncompromising." Metacritic assigned a score of 71 out of 100 from 37 reviews, reflecting "generally favorable" opinions. Audience feedback collected by CinemaScore resulted in a "B+" grade.
Lisa Schwarzbaum from Entertainment Weekly gave the film an A rating, describing it as "one of the finest films of the year." Manohla Dargis of the New York Times lauded Jonze’s direction and the imaginative visual effects, particularly praising the creature design. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone awarded four stars, emphasizing that the film’s strength lies in its straightforwardness and originality. Roger Ebert offered three stars, suggesting it would resonate more with adults familiar with the original book than with children used to fast-moving animation. Dan Jolin from Empire gave it four out of five stars, calling it a film that connects deeply with those who remember their childhood.
Several reviewers pointed out the film’s darker tone for a children’s adaptation. David Denby writing for The New Yorker worried that younger audiences might struggle to understand the creatures' sadness. Stephanie Zacharek from Salon.com criticized the visual approach as monotonous and gloomy, arguing it was filled with adult themes rather than captivating children. Liam Lacey of The Globe and Mail described it as a "deliberately melancholy film."
Critic A.O. Scott named this his top film of 2009 and placed it fifth in his decade’s best list.
Suitability for children
Initially, Warner Bros. expressed concerns that the movie might not be suitable for families and could frighten young viewers—worries not shared by Jonze or Sendak. Jonze remained steadfast in preserving his artistic vision, while Maurice Sendak praised the film as a deeply personal and genuine creation by Jonze. After viewing the final version, a Warner Bros. executive acknowledged that Jonze had effectively captured what was intended.
Most classification boards assigned ratings advising parental guidance rather than general audience approval. The MPAA rated it PG due to "mild thematic elements, some adventure action, and brief language." Similarly, the BBFC issued a PG rating citing "mild threat and brief violence." Ratings varied across Canadian provinces: Ontario gave a PG rating with warnings about frightening content; Quebec rated it General; British Columbia rated G but noted it "may scare young children." Ireland classified it PG for "mild" violence; South Africa rated it PG for "moments of mild menace and poignant themes"; Australia also assigned a PG rating due to "mild violence and scary scenes."
The release ignited discussions regarding exposing children to unsettling material. Jonze emphasized his intention was to create a film about childhood itself rather than strictly a children's movie. Warner Bros.' distribution chief Dan Fellman clarified that marketing efforts were not targeted at children and recommended parental discretion. Responding to concerns, Sendak bluntly remarked that parents who found the film too disturbing should "go to hell," referencing his own experience growing up watching more intense films.
Home media
The movie became available on 2 March 2010 as a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital copy bundle, as well as a standalone DVD. Included exclusively in the Blu-ray edition was a Canadian-produced short film combining live-action and animation, adapting another of Sendak's works titled Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life.
Video game
A video game adaptation of the film was released on 13 October 2009 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS platforms. Griptonite Games developed the versions for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii, while WayForward was responsible for the Nintendo DS version. Warner Bros. Games served as the publisher for all editions.
Skateboards and limited edition shoes
In alignment with the film’s debut, Girl Skateboards—co-owned by Jonze—introduced seven professional model skateboards adorned with Wild Things artwork. Lakai Limited Footwear updated several of their pro-model and standard shoe lines with fresh color schemes and Wild Things-themed designs, including select models featuring "Where the Wild Things Are" branding. Additionally, UGG Australia produced special edition boots inspired by Where the Wild Things Are.
Toys
The Japanese company MediCom Toys launched a collection of collectible vinyl figures representing Max and the Wild Things. This line included an eight-inch poseable Max figure dressed in his wolf costume alongside smaller character sets released under their Kubrick figure series.
Novelization
The Wild Things, a full-length novelization based on the film, was authored by Dave Eggers and published through McSweeney's.