Where the Wild Things Are Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

There's one in all of us.

Amy Renner

Last modified: Feb. 1, 2010

Where the Wild Things Are

Release Date: Friday, October 16, 2009 Theaters

Director: Spike Jonze

Starring: Catherine Keener • Benicio Del Toro • Forest Whitaker • Lauren Ambrose • Paul Dano

PG Action 1 hr, 34 m

3.38 / 5.0

87% WILL SEE 13% WON'T SEE

Rent or buy

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Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in "Where the Wild Things Are," a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in. The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought.

Action Adventure Drama Family Fantasy Kids

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Will you see Where the Wild Things Are?

87% of people who rated this movie are planning to watch it.

13% of people have indicated they do not plan to see this movie.

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Who stars in Where the Wild Things Are – Cast List

Catherine Keener
Get Out, Captain Phillips
Benicio Del Toro
One Battle After Another, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Forest Whitaker
The King of Kings, Arrival
L
Lauren Ambrose
Caddo Lake, Grassroots
P
Paul Dano
The Batman, Looper
C
Catherine O'Hara
The Wild Robot, Elemental
T
Tom Noonan
Anomalisa, Knockaround Guys
M
Michael Berry

Who is making Where the Wild Things Are – Crew List

A look at Where the Wild Things Are behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Spike Jonze last helmed Beastie Boys Story and Her. The film's writer Spike Jonze last penned Her.

Director: Spike Jonze
Screenwriters: Spike Jonze
Dave Eggers
Producers: John Carls
Gary Goetzman
Tom Hanks
Maurice Sendak

Studios: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Company: Legendary Films
Playtone
Village Roadshow Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures

Production – What we know about the Where the Wild Things Are

Key Facts

An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story. The film is expected to be live-action with heavy CGI-animated elements. Lauren Ambrose will replace Michelle Williams (11/26/07).

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Aug 2009

Completed

Changed Where the Wild Things Are movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Mar 2009

Post-Production

Changed the movie production status to Post-Production. The movie is now in the editing and finishing stages.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: PG Parental Guidance Suggested for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language
Runtime: 1 hr, 34 m
Tagline: There's one in all of us.
Also known as: Not available
Language: English

Where the Wild Things Are Trailers and Clips

Where the Wild Things Are

Theatrical Trailer #2

Where the Wild Things Are

Theatrical Trailer #1

Where the Wild Things Are Release Date: When was the film released?

Where the Wild Things Are was released in nationwide movie theaters on Friday, October 16 , 2009. The film was released in approximately 3,735 theaters. There were eight other movies released on the same date, including Law Abiding Citizen, The Stepfather and The Maid.