6.7/10
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James and the Giant Peach (1996)

An orphan, who lives with his two cruel aunts, befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.

Director:

Writers:

(based on the book by), (screenplay) | 2 more credits »
Reviews
Popularity
4,744 ( 24)
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Grasshopper (voice)
...
Centipede (voice)
...
Ladybug (voice)
...
...
Aunt Sponge / Glowworm (voice)
...
...
Spider (voice)
Paul Terry ...
...
Earthworm (voice)
J. Stephen Coyle ...
Reporter #2
...
James' Father
Cirocco Dunlap ...
Girl with Telescope
...
Reporter #1
Tony Haney ...
Reporter #3
...
Woman in Bathrobe (as Kathrine Howell)
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Storyline

James' happy life at the English seaside is rudely ended when his parents are killed by a rhinoceros and he goes to live with his two horrid aunts. Daringly saving the life of a spider he comes into possession of magic boiled crocodile tongues, after which an enormous peach starts to grow in the garden. Venturing inside he meets not only the spider but a number of new friends including a ladybug and a centipede who help him with his plan to try and get to New York. Written by Jeremy Perkins {J-26}

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Climb aboard for the adventure of your life! See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some frightening images | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

12 April 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

James V'Ha-Afarsek Ha-Anak  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$38,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$135,378 (USA) (26 July 1996)

Gross:

$28,934,758 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The "happy" tune the Grasshopper plays for James is Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita for Violin Solo No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: 3rd movement, Gavotte en rondeau. See more »

Goofs

When James is going to release the candle balloon, the candle is lying inside the balloon. In the next shot, the candle is standing upright on the chair next to the balloon. See more »

Quotes

[in the darkness]
Earthworm: [Centipede pinches him] Ow! What was that?
Centipede: Sorry, I thought you were the spider.
Grasshopper: [Miss Spider hits him] Ouch. What was *that*?
Miss Spider: Excuse, I thought you were the Centipede.
See more »

Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is some footage of a carnival game based on the story being played. See more »


Soundtracks

That's The Life
Written by Randy Newman
Performed by Richard Dreyfuss (uncredited), Susan Sarandon (uncredited), Jane Leeves (uncredited), Simon Callow (uncredited), and Miriam Margolyes (uncredited)
Additional vocals by Jeff Bennett and Sally Stevens
See more »

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User Reviews

A classic in my home
11 February 2002 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I really enjoyed it, and so did my 3- and 5-year-old (and yes, we read the book). The animation and live-action scenes showed a lot of love. Though elements of the story seemed a bit hurried or neglected, they weren't anything a fairy-tale fantasy couldn't absorb in stride. The music works well enough for this non-fan of musicals, and I prefer serviceable and inoffensive tunes to the treacly jingles and melodramatic scores of the usual Disney classics.

My only real complaint would be with the ending, as it really is unclear how the aunts drove across the ocean (did they obtain their own crocodile tongues?), and the slice of NY upon landing has a grim, Munchkin-town quality. Still, everything up to that point has left you with lots of goodwill towards the movie's makers.


6 of 6 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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