Top 10 Best Nickelodeon Movies of All Time
#10: “Harriet the Spy” (1996)
Based on the popular 1964 children’s novel of the same name, “Harriet the Spy” was the first film that Nickelodeon Movies ever released. The company was unaware that this film would be the catalyst for over two decades worth of hits! Starring a young Michelle Trachtenberg,, now known for her numerous film roles, as well as her three seasons on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the film follows sixth grader Harriet M. Welsch, a precious girl with an affinity for spying on others. A classic Nickelodeon flick, the film ultimately paved the way for the studio’s other properties’ transitions to the big screen.
#9: “Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie” (2017)
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Based on the classic Nickelodeon animated series, “Hey Arnold!: The Movie” brought “football head” and the rest of the Hillwood gang to the big screen in 2002. While the TV show lasted until 2004, it wouldn’t be until over 13 years later that the feature-length adaptation received a sequel, with “The Jungle Movie” airing on Nickelodeon in November 2017. Touching upon issues and questions that were unresolved in both the TV series and the first movie, such as what happened to Arnold’s parents, the television film attracted over 1 million viewers – which isn’t surprising considering that it kept a similar vibe to its predecessors and paid quite thoughtful attention to pacing and characters.
#8: “iGo to Japan” (2008)
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Based on the hit Nickelodeon TV series, “iCarly,” this television film continued the adventures of Carly Shay and her friends, Sam and Freddie, as they travel to Tokyo for an awards ceremony. Stacked with hilarious jokes and goofy hijinks, the film was received well by critics and when it first aired set a Nickelodeon record with 7.6 million viewers. While “iGo to Japan” won’t change how you see the world, it is a fun flick with excellent performances from its lead actors, particularly Miranda Cosgrove. Fans of “iCarly” will not be disappointed!
#7: “Drake & Josh Go Hollywood” (2006)
This television film takes two of Nickelodeon’s favorite sons on the trip of a lifetime to Tinseltown, where they must evade criminals, kidnappers, and more on their quest to find their stepsister, Megan. Based on the popular TV series, “Drake & Josh,” the film is often considered one of Nickelodeon’s best. It features strong leads in Drake Bell and Josh Peck, who more than hold their own for the duration of the film. If you’re looking for a comedic adventure featuring two Nickelodeon alumni that doesn’t take itself too seriously, then this is the flick for you!
#6: “Good Burger” (1997)
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We guarantee that most of you had a copy of this film on VHS during the late 90s. A Nickelodeon classic, “Good Burger” was the byproduct of a popular comedy sketch from the TV show, “All That”, which starred Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. The film follows two employees of a middling burger chain struggling to compete against their more popular competitor. Thompson and Mitchell are hilarious as Dexter and Ed respectively. In the years since its initial release, the film has come to be considered a cult classic, with many praising the comedic performances of the two lead actors.
#5: “Rango” (2011)
Johnny Depp as a fast-talking reptile? Yes, please! The hit 2011 animated film paired Depp with fellow Hollywood mainstays Isla Fisher and Bill Nighy. “Rango” tells the story of a chameleon that becomes the sheriff of a small desert town after his terrarium falls out of his owner’s car. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and making $245 million at the box office worldwide. The film also took home the Best Animated Feature prize at the 84th Academy Awards, making “Rango” the most decorated Nickelodeon film produced to date.
#4: “Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004)
When it was announced that comedy icon Jim Carrey was going to play the evil Count Olaf in the film adaptation of this classic young adult book series, people lost their minds… and for good reason. Carrey is incredible in the role, matched only by the film’s incredible set design, strong writing, and excellent supporting cast. The film covers the first three novels in the series, following the three Baudelaire children as they bounce from guardian to guardian in the wake of their parents’ tragic deaths. Earning over $200 million at the box office globally and taking home the Oscar for Best Makeup, this film is easily one of the best movies ever produced by Nickelodeon.
#3: “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” (2004)
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What kind of list would this be if we didn’t mention Nickelodeon’s most iconic creation? This 2004 film finds SpongeBob going about his life in Bikini Bottom, hoping to one day become the manager of the Krusty Krab. A box office hit, “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” is a laugh-a-minute adventure that features all of the characters that made the TV show such a hit. Many fans would actually argue that the movie should’ve acted as a series finale, seeing how it left SpongeBob and his friends on such a fitting note.
#2: “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” (2001)
This film was so successful it spawned a television series that ran for three seasons! Produced by Nickelodeon in conjunction with two other companies, the film follows boy genius Jimmy Neutron, as he and his friends try to unravel the mystery of their parents’ sudden disappearance. Featuring excellent voice and animation work by the cast and crew, it was Nickelodeon’s first animated movie to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. A surprise box office success, “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” remains one of Nickelodeons all-time greats. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Charlotte's Web” (2006) “The Wild Thornberrys Movie” (2002) “iParty with Victorious” (2011)
#1: “The Rugrats Movie” (1998)
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If you grew up in the ‘90s and don’t know who the Rugrats are, we apologize for your sad childhood. “The Rugrats Movie” and its sequel, “Rugrats in Paris: The Movie,” were based on the iconic Nickelodeon animated TV series that ran from 1991 to 2004. The first film finds Tommy and the rest of his playmates lost in a forest, with their parents searching frantically for them. Featuring exactly the kind of goofy humor that made the TV series a hit – at one point one of the Rugrats gets abducted by monkeys – the film is full of heart, and is guaranteed to have you reminiscing on that long-lost decade we call the ‘90s.