Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong language in amiable Canadian time-travel comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
What's the Story?
In NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, viewers are introduced to Matt (Matt Johnson) and Jay (Jay McCarrol). It's 2008, and they're scheming to play a show at the Rivoli in Toronto. Their band is called "Nirvanna the Band." Cut to 17 years later, and not much has changed. An attempt to skydive into the Blue Jays' stadium fails, so Matt starts working on another idea, while Jay becomes disillusioned and secretly plans to perform at an open mic night ... alone. Matt's idea involves making their RV look like a time machine; weirdly, it actually works, and the two friends accidentally find themselves back in 2008 again. In their attempt to get back to the future, they mess up the space-time continuum and arrive in an alternate 2025 in which Jay is a huge star.
Is It Any Good?
This Canadian comedy's very Canadian humor may not click with all viewers, but the movie's energy and warmth come through just fine, and you just might come to love these two knuckleheads. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie opens with vintage footage from Matt and Jay's web series Nirvana the Band the Show ("Nirvana" was spelled with one "n" back then) before jumping to the present. The two make good use of the big screen with a spectacularly stupid skydiving stunt before getting to the meat of the story, which is obviously and openly a tribute to Back to the Future. (Matt pops on a VHS tape of the movie while designing his own time machine.)
While Nirvanna follows the dynamics of that time-travel classic (and its sequel Back to the Future Part II)—there's some fun filmmaking wizardry at work as 2025 Matt and Jay briefly mingle with 2008 Matt and Jay—it definitely takes off in its own interesting directions. And even if you don't click with their sense of humor, their friendship and chemistry are affecting, and it's hard not to start caring about their plight. The movie also offers at least a few moments of genuine surprise. In the end, if nothing else, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie lives up to its title.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie's violent moments. How did they make you feel? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie demonstrate the value of communication? What happens when the two friends talk honestly with each other? What happens when they hide things?
What keeps Matt and Jay working together as friends even when their plans keep failing? What makes a good creative partnership?
Matt and Jay often bend the rules or trick people to get what they want. When does their behavior cross a line? How could they have handled some situations differently?
What does the movie have to say about persistence? Is there a difference between determination and stubbornness?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 13, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : March 24, 2026
- Cast : Matt Johnson , Jay McCarrol , Jared Raab
- Director : Matt Johnson
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Fantasy ( Time Travel ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and brief violence
- Last updated : March 3, 2026
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