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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Prepare to get served.

200990 minPGMidcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
Directors
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Starring
Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg

Inventor Flint Lockwood creates a machine that makes clouds rain food, enabling the down-and-out citizens of Chewandswallow to feed themselves. But when the falling food reaches gargantuan proportions, Flint must scramble to avert disaster. Can he regain control of the machine and put an end to the wild weather before the town is destroyed?

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs earns 8 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs worth watching?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' Midcredits score is the 78th percentile of all films, from 1.2M ratings across 6 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

78th percentile

Better received than 78% of films

69th percentile among Animation76th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)77th
Approval (how many liked it)77th

69 /100

77th percentile of all films

66th percentile among Animation76th percentile among 2000s

Critics 66 · Audience 69

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.0 — solid but not unanimous.

69% liked it

77th percentile of all films

69th percentile among Animation76th percentile among 2000s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Critics 85% · Audience 72%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 14 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Animated Feature Film

99th percentile

1.2M ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 4% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$100M
Opening weekend$30M
Domestic gross$125M
Worldwide gross$243M

Returned 2.4× its budget — 92nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps see it as a vividly animated, absurdly fun family film with a thin plot and uneven character depth.

Fans praised

  • whimsical premise and inventive machine-driven gags
  • vivid, colorful animation with psychedelic visual design
  • voice cast chemistry, especially Bill Hader and Anna Faris

Detractors panned

  • stereotypical and underdeveloped characters
  • plot feels thin, with poor story development
  • hit-or-miss comedy that doesn't consistently land

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive80

fresh take on animation, inventive machine and food-based concepts

ActingDivisive75

voice cast praised, especially Hader and Faris; some critics note celebrity voices not always fitting

Atmosphere75

whimsical, colorful world-building with a quirky tone

Cinematography70

vivid colors and fluid animation, though not Pixar-level polish

HumorDivisive60

wacky and silly, but not always laugh-out-loud for adults

DialogueDivisive60

puns and witty lines land for many, but some find humor miss-or-hit

CharactersDivisive45

archetypes and stereotypes; some find unlikable, others enjoy quirky personalities

Plot and storyDivisive40

thin and predictable, but creatively expands the book's premise

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 12 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 11 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It never lets up and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulAbsurdWarmThrilling
Heaviest: middle
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAdventurous · 11% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its absurd premise with genuine heart and constant energy, playing its silly world straight while delivering slapstick and sincere father-son emotion.
The rideThe first act is playful; the middle raises stakes as the food storm escalates; the ending resolves with warmth.
StructureThe story unfolds in a straightforward linear fashion, from invention to crisis to resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you smiling and entertained, with a warm message about believing in yourself.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% (this title) · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Technology turns: Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeThe film follows an inventor whose food-creation machine goes rogue, turning a wonder into a global threat. It is a classic creation-runs-amok story with a team mission to destroy the machine.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsIdentity · 14% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeFlint's fraught relationship with his father is a central tension, while his journey also involves embracing his own worth as an inventor.
StanceThe film celebrates family bonds, suggesting that love and support are what truly matter, while the town's crisis is resolved with teamwork.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score · Mark Mothersbaugh
Settingthe isolated island town of Swallow Falls
MusicMark Mothersbaugh's quirky, colorful score matches the film's playful and chaotic tone.

Content guide

Is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs okay for kids?

PG

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is rated PG: “Rated PG for brief mild language” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (30/100), sexual content at minimal (14/100), language at mild (23/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (16/100) and frightening material at moderate (36/100). Overall it is heavier than 24% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 26 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaG
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • Austria6
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK-7
  • GreeceG
  • Hong KongI
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoAA
  • Netherlands6
  • PortugalM/6
  • ROAP
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland0
  • Taiwan0+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 7% of all filmsHeavier than 24% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 33%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 25%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 41%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 29%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 47%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 47% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs have?

MovieCove's classifier found 1 depicted content warning in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

Cast and crew

Who is in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Bill Hader
as Flint Lockwood
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Anna Faris
as Sam Sparks
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Caan
as Tim Lockwood
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Andy Samberg
as 'Baby' Brent
newcomer then · star now
Bruce Campbell
as Mayor Shelbourne
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Mr. T
as Earl Devereaux
Bobb'e J. Thompson
as Cal Devereaux
Benjamin Bratt
as Manny
Neil Patrick Harris
as Steve
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Al Roker
as Patrick Patrickson
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?

Movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs include Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013), The Emoji Movie (2017) and Despicable Me 2 (2013). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written or directed by Phil Lord, and all are family adventures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its world: a fictional world. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?

989 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: creation runs amok. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.