Movie · 2020 · Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy · 1h 35m · PG · English
Curator score: 2.0/10 (240.2K ratings)
The future ain't what it used to be.
Overview
Searching for a safer habitat, the prehistoric Crood family discovers an idyllic, walled-in paradise that meets all of its needs. Unfortunately, they must also learn to live with the Bettermans -- a family that's a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. As tensions between the new neighbors start to rise, a new threat soon propels both clans on an epic adventure that forces them to embrace their differences, draw strength from one another, and survive together.
Ratings
Curator score: 2.0/10
IMDb: 6.9/10
Letterboxd: 2.97/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
Metacritic: 56
TMDB: 7.4/10
Director
Joel Crawford
Production
DreamWorks Animation
Cast
Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Kelly Marie Tran, Kailey Crawford, Chris Sanders, James Ryan, Gabriel Jack, Melissa Disney, Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, Ryan Naylor, Artemis Pebdani
Where to watch
Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A colorful, fast-moving sequel that improves on the first film with sharper visual invention, more confident comedy, and a surprisingly strong focus on family dynamics and change. It’s broad and silly, but the animation has real energy and the character interplay gives it more personality than many franchise follow-ups.
Best for
families looking for a lively animated adventure
viewers who enjoy broad, high-energy comedy
fans of colorful DreamWorks-style worldbuilding
kids and adults who like stories about clashing personalities learning to cooperate
Skip if
you want subtle humor or emotional realism
you dislike loud, cartoonish slapstick
you’re tired of franchise sequels built around familiar family conflict
you prefer animation with a more original or auteur-driven tone
Overview
The Croods: A New Age is the rare sequel that feels more alive than its predecessor. It leans into brighter colors, faster pacing, and more expressive character animation, giving the prehistoric setting a playful, almost candy-coated energy that makes the whole movie easier to enjoy than the first film.
Worth noting
What really helps is the tension between the Croods and the Bettermans, which turns the movie into a comic battle of lifestyles, manners, and values. Beneath the jokes, it’s about family identity, adapting to change, and learning that “better” doesn’t always mean happier or kinder.
Bottom line
It’s still a broad studio comedy, so the humor can be noisy and the emotional beats are pretty familiar. But as a family adventure, it’s efficient, charming, and often genuinely funny, with enough visual flair to stand out among modern animated sequels.
Top Letterboxd reviews
James (Schaffrillas) (3.5★) · 1974 likes
Heartbreaking: the worst movie you know just had a great sequel
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This movie has Top Gun levels of unintentional gayness. Take that for what you will.
Sodapopred (3.5★) · 919 likes
Feminism in cinema done correctly
river (2.5★) · 843 likes
the thundersisters do what the avengers cant
james💫 (3★) · 683 likes
i was so ready for grug and phil to kiss. my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined