Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: June 2, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
19
Mixed:
5
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzJun 2, 2017
The 3-D animation is designed and executed in an unrealistic manner, paying loving attention to light and shadow but tossing the laws of physics out of the nearest classroom window. Read full review
88
The Seattle TimesSoren AndersenJun 1, 2017
The friendship of George and Harold is celebrated, and the cheery vocal work of Hart and Middleditch gives the picture its sprightly spirit. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLeah GreenblattJun 2, 2017
One day, Captain’s pint-size viewers will undoubtedly move on to Marvel’s spandex universe; until then, they’ve got this sweet, silly starter kit. Read full review
80
CineVueJamie NeishAug 3, 2017
It won't be for everyone by any means, but Captain Underpants: The First Movie would be easy to overlook as another kids-only waste of money. But that's not the case. The film subverts this every step of the way and constantly turns in new, unexpected directions in order to surprise and entertain its audience from the start to the end. Read full review
80
The TelegraphTim RobeyAug 3, 2017
The film has scads of charm and only token gestures at redeeming moral value. That’s why – kind of in the Beano spirit – it’s such a delight. Read full review
80
IGNAlex WelchJun 1, 2017
Thanks to a top-notch screenplay by Nicholas Stoller, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie manages to be both a faithful adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s source material and a fun-filled animated adventure suitable for all ages. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshJun 1, 2017
The story of Captain Underpants is funny, fresh and frantic, playing with format and genre, adding meta, self-reflective winks. The film is propelled by its hyperactive energy and quirky style...and the combustible chemistry between the two leads. Read full review
80
TheWrapAlonso DuraldeJun 1, 2017
It’s hard to say the name "Captain Underpants” without smiling, and the big-screen debut of the skivvies-clad superhero (the film’s subtitle is “The First Epic Movie”) maintains that same goofy, innocently naughty nature for nearly its entire running time. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliJun 2, 2017
The movie is fresh, fun, and breezy. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Andrew ParkerJun 1, 2017
Charming, ingenious and absurd tale of friendship. Read full review
75
Washington PostJane HorwitzJun 1, 2017
In an increasingly mean-spirited world, the spirit of fun and kindness in Captain Underpants is simply a tonic. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineKeith WatsonJun 1, 2017
The film is packed with mirthful pranksterism, a vigorous anti-authoritarian streak, and literal potty humor. Read full review
75
Movie NationRoger MooreJun 1, 2017
An endlessly inventive and anarchic Dreamworks romp based on the Dav Pilkey children’s books, it thrives on prankster pals, over-matched adults and a hand-drawn comic book hero’s ethos. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTom RussoMay 31, 2017
In short, the film owns its immaturity. And the argument it appealingly offers in defense is that it’s healthy, even vital, to be able to laugh at scatological silliness, adults included. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyMay 31, 2017
Captain Underpants’ charm lies in its lighthearted and lightly scatological silliness, so it’s a shame that the movie sometimes overstuffs itself. Read full review
70
We Got This CoveredRobert Yaniz Jr.Jun 1, 2017
Its shamelessly sophomoric sense of humor only sporadically leans into inspired territory, but while it may not arrive as an instant classic, the ambitiously titled Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie easily stands among the best animated films of the year so far. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleSteve DavisJun 7, 2017
To the delight of its young audience, juvenile humor abounds in Captain Underpants, but the movie is smart about the way it contextualizes this lowbrow comedy. Read full review
63
St. Louis Post-DispatchJody MitoriJun 1, 2017
If you can channel your inner grade-schooler and appreciate a villain named Professor Poopypants, you’ll giggle at the irreverent world of Captain Underpants. Read full review
62
Paste MagazineJacob OllerJun 8, 2017
Captain Underpants’ plethora of animation styles (including a wonderful sock puppet sequence) separates the film into imaginative sublayers, keeping it from feeling like the one-joke wonder that it often edges towards. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsAriel ScottiJun 1, 2017
It's a stinking good time - for the kids, at least. Read full review
60
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerJun 1, 2017
The best animated movies for children are sublime. This one generally settles for noisy, though it throws in a positive message at the end. Read full review
60
VarietyOwen GleibermanJun 1, 2017
Captain Underpants isn’t out to be more than a trifle; that’s part of its appeal. It’s not so much potty-mouthed as it is a potty-minded kiddie burlesque, one that finds the supreme innocence in naughtiness. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenJun 1, 2017
In the absence of a sturdier storyline and more dimensional characters, the manic, rapid-fire delivery, while yielding some well-deserved laughs, proves more exhausting than inspired. Read full review
40
EmpireJames WhiteJul 31, 2017
Silly and aimed squarely at the younger crowd, Captain Underpants has enough spirit to be entertaining. Just don’t expect it to work all the time. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubJun 1, 2017
Captain Underpants is a very popular book series that doesn’t seamlessly translate to the big screen, and the filmmakers can’t solve this problem. The result is a cinematic wedgie: a little too dark, a little too nihilistic, a little too empty. Read full review
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