Common Sense Media Review
A gross-out movie with a sweet story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
How to Eat Fried Worms
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 21 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mix of gross-out humor and valuable lessons about standing up to bullies, appealing to a wide range of tastes among children. While some viewers find it disgusting and question its role models, many appreciate its humor, character development, and overall entertainment value.
- gross humor
- bullying message
- character development
- entertainment value
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 25, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : December 5, 2006
- Cast : Adam Hicks , Hallie Eisenberg , Luke Benward
- Director : Bob Dolman
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild bullying and some crude humor
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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