
Recess: School's Out
Seen it?2001 | 82 min | Family, Animation, Comedy
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
It made about 4 times its budget, but middling reviews (60% on Rotten Tomatoes) held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved Ron's Gone Wrong, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Light and funny, feel-good.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 22 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
The school year is finally ending, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to summer. But boredom quickly sets in when his friends leave for camp — until T.J. uncovers an evil plot to do away with summer vacation! A crazy former principal, Dr. Benedict, is planning to use a laser beam to alter the weather and create permanent winter. Faced with the dire threat of year-round school, T.J. rounds up the RECESS gang and bands together with some unexpected allies — Miss Finster and Principal Prickly — in a nonstop adventure to save everyone's summer break.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$44 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 81K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Chuck Sheetz
- Andrew LawrenceT.J. Detweiler (voice)
- Rickey D'Shon CollinsVince La Salle (voice)
- Pamela AdlonSpinelli (voice)
- Ashley JohnsonGretchen Grundler (voice)
- Jason DavisMikey Blumberg (voice)
- Courtland MeadGus Griswald (voice)
- April WinchellMs. Finster / Mrs. Detweiller (voice)
- Dabney ColemanPrincipal Peter Prickly (voice)
- Ryan O'DonohueDigger Dave / Randall (voice)
- Robert GouletMikey's Singing Voice (voice)