...imaginative fun, derivative, to be sure, but amusing and entertaining and just a little bit scary by turns, at least for kids.
Comment
06/13/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
79
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:138
Fresh:109
Rotten:29
Average Rating:6.7/10
Consensus: The Spiderwick Chronicles is an entertaining children's adventure, with heart and imagination to spare.
Theatrical Release:21-03-2008
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling series of children's fantasy novels of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES follows the adventures of the Grace family, newly... [More]
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright
Director: Mark Waters
Reviews for The Spiderwick Chronicles
At 97 minutes this not just a great Saturday matinee for 10 year-olds, but one for their indulgent parent(s) or handy dandy favorite gay relative/babysitter as well.
05/22/08
Lord of the Deathly Thingamabob
05/07/08
soy troei miamisi ora gia na se taksidepsei sto asfales symperasma poy eihe psiliastei sto pentalepto, oti i pasifismos san haraktiristiko toy floroy, einai epilogi mi biosimi, kai to kalo gia na epikratisei, prepei na brei kako na polemisei kai na katats
05/06/08
Spiderwick Chronicles provides lots of thrills and chills -- so much so that it may be too scary for younger viewers -- but it works best when it implies instead of showing.
05/01/08
The screen can't get enough of 16-year-old Freddie Highmore.
04/04/08
Fast-paced and filled with neat special effects, it's a sure kid-pleaser, albeit one that suffers from the very elements that make it go down so easily.
04/02/08
It's inevitable with such fantasies, the storylines begin to have a familiar ring. Rry as they might, the filmmakers here are never totally successful in narrowing the gap between reality and fantasy as live action and fantastical special effects converge
03/23/08
As Spiderwick keeps time with the notion that kids' fantasies must feature bad, absent, or otherwise troubling parents, it also offers precious little in the way of clued-in adults.
03/21/08
Displays a lighter touch than other fantasy films of this nature, meaning that its thrills are all the more unexpected -- and effective.
03/16/08
If you're going to compete in an arena already owned by the "Harry Potter" and "Narnia" franchises, you'd better enter that fray determined to show you can compete favorably with them. And that's where "Spiderwick" runs into trouble.
03/09/08
The overall supernatural conflict amounts to nothing more than a jumble of noisy, fast-moving CGI beasties.
02/29/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles is great family fun. Its edge-of-your-seat action, charming cast, clever script and direction, and excellent special effects is something is everyone can enjoy.
02/28/08
At its heart is a sly imagination that fascinates and thrills.
02/28/08
Like "Terabithia," willfully darker than most children's fare.
02/26/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a terrific ride for children who crave genuine excitement, not that tepid Scooby Doo stuff.
02/25/08
Here's the recipe for a delightful family film.
02/24/08
It's always a pleasure to watch Highmore, one of the best child actors working today, and this time that pleasure is doubled because he plays a dual role.
02/24/08
...a lively children's adventure...
02/23/08
The monsters seem to be psychological projections as well as special-effects creations, with the scary lead ogre emerging to fill the void left by the absence of the resentful children's neglectful father.
02/22/08
Latest News for The Spiderwick Chronicles
September 08, 2008:
Spiderwick Producers Are Spanking Shakespeare for Paramount 
Paramount has forged an agreement with the producers of "The Spiderwick Chronicles" to assemble an adaptation of Jake Wizner's hit young adult novel, "Spanking Shakespeare." More...
June 23, 2008:
RT on DVD: A Killer Sopranos Set; WALL-E Gets a Friend
You thought the Sex and the City DVD collection was expensive? Start saving up for the ultimate Sopranos box set, coming this fall. Also look for a DVD spin-off from last... More...
April 23, 2008:
UK Box Office Breakdown: Craig's Fool Has Disasterous Opening
Daniel Craig's new film - Flashbacks of a Fool - suffers a disastrous opening weekend, coming in at only 11th in the charts. Fool's Gold and Happy Go Lucky are the big successes More...
April 09, 2008:
UK Box Office Breakdown: Son of Rambow Highest New Entry
In a piece of news almost as heartwarming as the film itself, Son of Rambow came in at second place in the UK box office this week, with the British indie nabbing almost... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds