Over the Hedge
Movie, 2006, Originals
Over the Hedge is #12 of 51 in release order and #8 of 51 in chronological order in the DreamWorks Animation.
The story
A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating – and learns a lesson about family himself.
Over the Hedge recap
RJ, a raccoon, tries to steal the hoard of the bear Vincent, and the whole stash is destroyed. Vincent gives him one week to replace every item, or he dies. Meanwhile a family of forest animals led by the cautious turtle Verne wakes from hibernation to find a huge hedge has gone up around a new housing estate. RJ convinces them the suburb is full of food and becomes their teacher, using them to collect Vincent's haul without telling them. Verne distrusts him, and Gladys Sharp, the homeowners' association president, hires Dwayne, a pest exterminator known as the Verminator. As the family come to love RJ, he sees what he is risking for them.
Over the Hedge ending explained
RJ confesses and chooses the family over Vincent's food, but Vincent, Gladys and Dwayne trap the animals. Hammy the squirrel drinks an energy drink, moving so fast that time seems to stop, and trips Dwayne's laser trap. Vincent, Gladys and Dwayne are all caught by animal control, and RJ joins the family for good.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. In a credits scene, RJ tries again to raid the vending machine from the opening, but the snacks jam the door. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Over the Hedge
Over the Hedge isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 75%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, before Flushed Away.
- Chronological order: after Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, before Flushed Away.
What to watch before Over the Hedge
In release order, 7 DreamWorks Animation essentials come before Over the Hedge (2006), from Antz (1998) to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005).
Cast
- Bruce Willis as RJ (voice)
- Garry Shandling as Verne (voice)
- Steve Carell as Hammy (voice)
- Wanda Sykes as Stella (voice)
- William Shatner as Ozzie (voice)
- Nick Nolte as Vincent (voice)
- Thomas Haden Church as Dwayne (voice)
- Allison Janney as Gladys (voice)
- Eugene Levy as Lou (voice)
- Catherine O'Hara as Penny (voice)
- Avril Lavigne as Heather (voice)
- Omid Djalili as Tiger (voice)
Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson.