Between a Jurassic Park-style monster chase and some legitimately creepy critters, Spiderwick is a lot trippier than anything in Strange Wilderness.
Comment
02/13/08
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
While the film is essentially an action flick for kids, it's nice that the script is willing to tackle real-life sources of pain for both parents and children.
02/13/08
A top-drawer cast, sympathetic script, a director known for delicious teen edge and one of the great cinematographers of our time have conjured up a topical, whimsical and occasionally magical action-romp through a world we know, but don't fully see.
02/13/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a sturdy, family-friendly adaptation of the popular series of children's books by Holly Black.
02/13/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles, while not without its virtues (including a genuinely sweet ending), goes too far on the frightening front, especially for a young audience.
02/13/08
There's enough here to keep adults engaged, which is an important component of any motion picture that wants to be known as 'family entertainment.' I would place The Spiderwick Chronicles comfortably in that category.
02/13/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles may not be in the same fantasy league as the tales of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling. Yet the family flick based on the books of Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black is an all-around class act.
02/13/08
For a story aimed at the moppet market, The Spiderwick Chronicles is one that holds the interest without unbalancing the I.Q.
02/13/08
works well-enough as a CGI adventure aimed at the kiddies, but grownups will probably be indifferent to this otherwise average story that features some pretty cool monster effects, but not much else.
02/13/08
After so many failed attempts to fashion new Harry Potter-like franchises from children's books...it's nice to encounter one that actually works.
02/13/08
An exciting and refreshing adventure that's shorter (and less melodramatic) than another Harry Potter film.
02/13/08
The voice of the novels is lost in translation; what’s left is something that’s merely by the book.
02/13/08
Scary enough to give free "midnight movie" nightmares to some of the young 'uns in the audience. What could be better than that?
02/12/08
An enjoyable adventure fantasy that pushes all the requisite buttons while still managing to throw in a pleasant surprise or two, Paramount's big-budget gamble has impressive talent to burn on both sides of the camera.
02/12/08
Top CriticA work of both modest enchantment and enchanting modesty, grounded in a classically Spielbergian realm where childlike wonderment crosses paths with the tough realities of young adulthood.
02/12/08
Top CriticIt's a fantasy fairy tale enveloped in spectacular SFX and penned with panache.
02/12/08
[The] combination of creature effects, action and believable situations is what ultimately puts the movie on par with the first couple 'Harry Potter' movies.
02/11/08
There's nothing wrong with it that passion and personality couldn't fix.
02/11/08
A classic adventure with its heart and its sense of whimsy in all the right places.
01/20/08
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