Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
All-star comedy has innuendo, language, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Unfrosted
What's the Story?
It's 1963, and Kellogg's and Post are in a heated rivalry to corner the market on breakfast cereal in UNFROSTED. When Kellogg's Head of Development Bob Cabana (Jerry Seinfeld) discovers that adversary Marjorie Post (Amy Schumer) is in development on a breakfast pastry, using intel stolen from his office, Cabana leads a charge to be first to market on the tasty invention, with backing from Kellogg CEO Edsel (Jim Gaffigan), innovator Donna "Stan" Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy), and a team of "geniuses."
Is It Any Good?
Seinfeld's directorial debut is jam-packed (pun intended) with ideas, '60s references, cameos, and general nonsense, and audiences can enjoy watching its giddy crew of entertainers having a ball. If you come for the cast of Unfrosted, you won't be too disappointed by the conventional set-up, nostalgic tone, or overly cluttered script. Expect pop culture callbacks galore, as well as the most obvious '60s references you can think of, from JFK and Vietnam to the microwave oven, Archie comics, the Bay of Pigs, and the race to put a man on the moon.
The film's candy-colored wardrobe and production design, meant to feel reminiscent of a box of cereal, looks straight out of a sitcom of the era. Amy Schumer and man-servant Max Greenfield are highlights in the sprawling cast, as are (spoiler alert) cameos from Mad Men stars Jon Hamm and John Slattery, and Kyle Dunnigan as a troubled Walter Cronkite. Hugh Grant also turns in a memorable portrayal as a pretentious Shakespearian wannabe stuck in a Tony the Tiger costume. His leadership of a Jan. 6-style insurrection, storming the capitol (of Kellogg's) in horned headdress, is priceless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of the Pop Tart reflected in Unfrosted. What parts of this movie are based on actual history, and how much is made up? Where can you find more information?
Dozens of actors and comedians have roles or cameos in this film. Who did you recognize? What other films have you watched with quite so many familiar faces?
Who is Jerry Seinfeld, the star, co-writer, and director of this film? Why is he famous?
How would you describe the look of this movie?
What historical figures were parodied in Unfrosted?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 3, 2024
- Cast : Jerry Seinfeld , Melissa McCarthy , Jim Gaffigan
- Director : Jerry Seinfeld
- Inclusion Information : Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Cooking , History
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some suggestive references and language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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