Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
New cast, but more of the same gross-out humor, hijinks.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 29 parent reviews
Parents say the film has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as a fun, family-friendly viewing experience filled with humor suitable for children and adults alike, while others criticize it for poor casting, inappropriate content, and a lack of coherence compared to previous films in the franchise. Many express disappointment over the new cast, violent scenes, and unsatisfactory storylines, leading several viewers to conclude that it falls short of the earlier films' charm and quality.
- family-friendly humor
- poor casting
- inappropriate content
- disappointment
- lacking coherence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 123 kid reviews
Kids say the movie suffers from a poor cast and a lack of adherence to the original book's storyline, resulting in disappointing humor that often feels inappropriate. While some enjoyed the antics as entertaining for a younger audience, many found it to be a disgrace to the franchise, calling it cringey and filled with gross-out gags.
- poor casting
- lacks humor
- strays from book
- inappropriate content
- mixed reactions
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL, Greg Heffley (Jason Drucker) is so over spending time with his family -- he'd rather have fun this summer, to help him forget about a humiliating viral video. His plans are foiled when his mom, Alice (Alicia Silverstone) plans a cross-country family road trip to Greg's great-grandmother's house for her 90th birthday. And when it doesn't seem like things could get any worse, Alice declares it a technology-free vacation. But Greg will do just about anything to get to a gaming convention so he can meet his idol and clear his name.
Is It Any Good?
If you're a fan of the Wimpy Kid series, you'll probably enjoy this one, too, even though it doesn't do anything new and isn't particularly good. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul begins with Greg getting caught on video doing something super embarrassing, and it immediately goes viral. This begins a series of events that puts Greg in ridiculous, sometimes funny situations. Like the three movies before it, Long Haul is all about gross-out humor and cringe-inducing situations. There's no discussion about the shame the video has caused him -- it's not that kind of movie.
The only thing really new/fresh about this fourth installment in the movie franchise based on Jeff Kinney's best-selling book series is the cast, including Silverstone as mom Alice, who's trying really hard to make her family get off of their phones and talk to each other -- even though when they do talk to her they don't have anything nice to say. Greg does get a big lesson at the end, but not until he ruins the family's vacation, destroys their car car, runs away, and ends up making his viral video situation worse. The family comes together in the end, but it takes a long time to get there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul addresses technology use. Why does Alice want the family's trip to be device-free? Are some types of screen time better than others?
What happens to Greg when an embarrassing video of him goes viral? What did you think when all of those people were laughing at and filming him? Has anything like that ever happened to you/someone you know?
Greg and Rodrick take off in an Uber to go to the gaming convention, lying to their parents about where they've gone. Why was that an irresponsible choice? What could the possible consequences have been? Is telling a lie in a note or email the same as telling a lie directly to someone?
Who do you think the movie's gross-out moments are intended to appeal to? How can you tell? Does it work?
Fans of the books: How do the movies compare? What was different or new? Did you like the changes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 19, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : August 8, 2017
- Cast : Alicia Silverstone , Tom Everett Scott , Jason Drucker
- Director : David Bowers
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , School ( Middle School )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some rude humor
- Last updated : February 3, 2026
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