 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
How to Eat Fried Worms
- Review Date: December 4, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
A gross-out movie with a sweet story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is gross, which is probably why it will appeal to fourth-graders everywhere. There's also some crude potty humor and mild profanity, as well as name-calling and bullying. But the message is straightforward and simple: It's okay to stand up for yourself, and sometimes, you have to eat worms (or in grown-up terms, do something you don't want to do) in order to gain the courage needed to get by in this crazy world.
What's the story?
Based on Thomas Rockwell's popular 1973 book, this movie revolves around 11-year-old Billy (Luke Benward), who ticks off the school bully, Joe (Adam Hicks) on his first day at a new school. When Billy opens his thermos to reveal a mess o' worms, Joe asks him if he eats worms a lot. "Yeah, I eat 'em all the time," says Billy. "Ya wanna try one?" Billy tosses one of the slimy creatures to the bully, but it lands smack on his face. Thus begins a challenge in which Billy must eat ten worms in a day, without throwing up. Whoever loses has to put worms down their pants and walk through school in front of everyone. The recipes get creative, with various preparation methods and names like Barfmallow and Radioactive Slime Delight. Meanwhile, Billy's dad (Thomas Cavanagh) struggles with his new job; his mom (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is busy looking after his younger brother (Ty Panitz); and adorably gawky Erika (Hallie Kate Eisenberg) understands Billy because she towers above her classmates.
Is it any good?
Despite the gross premise, this movie can teach kids a lot about how to deal with bullies and stand up for yourself. Also, the sweetness of the story and the friendships Billy develops are at the heart of this movie. And the kids seem like "real" kids! Not the Hollywood version we usually get in movies.
As with other books-to-movies produced by Walden Media –- Hoot, Holes, and The Chronicles of Narnia, to name a few –- this movie is well made, even if it strays a bit from the book's details.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the best way to fit into a new situation. What's the best way to make friends? How can you help new kids feel welcome? Was Billy right to mouth off at the school bully on his first day at school? Should he have taken the challenge to eat the worms? How could he have handled it differently? What could his parents have done to help him out? What was the real reason for Joe's bullying?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
it is for kid under i say 8
i like it because it is gross and i like gross things i ate 100 worms in then one day ok and i had to brush my teeth 10 times how wied is that dumb ok lol ha ha ha ha i like it it was great and so was the book an movie i can watch that all day you hear me tho i don't play with akahol lol by baby peas omg peas i mean peace sorry hola look out theres a snake
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Kid, 11 years old
July 7, 2009
AGE
cool
this movie encludes some very brief sexual content and grusome images.
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AGE
i was grossed out
pretty good but gross! go on an empty stomach!!!plot ok
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Kid, 12 years old
January 4, 2011
AGE
Great movie for 8+!
There are some people saying that they would never let their child watch it but wow... yeah a little gross but nothing THAT bad! Let me tell you that my teacher showed it to me class! It's a pretty decent movie!
PS: @mama p... explain how this movie is at ALL sexual! It's a good movie!
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AGE
horrible
The plot is dumb the acting is a discrace and its plain unintertaning the only reason i was able to get through it was cause i was forced to watch it.
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| Topics: | book characters |
| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Bob Dolman |
| Cast: | Adam Hicks, Hallie Eisenberg, Luke Benward |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 25, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | December 5, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild bullying and some crude humor |
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