---
title: "The Croods: A New Age"
year: 2020
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age"
fi1m_id: "the-croods-a-new-age"
imdb_id: "tt2850386"
tmdb_id: 529203
wikidata_id: "Q24832743"
fi1m_score: 70
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 16
published: "2026-10-05T15:38:49.315206+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T15:38:49.565622+00:00"
region: "UA"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Croods: A New Age (2020)

Directed by Joel Crawford · 1h 35m · Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy

## Identity

The Croods: A New Age

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-croods-a-new-age
- **IMDb ID:** tt2850386
- **TMDB ID:** 529203
- **Wikidata ID:** Q24832743
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2850386/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/529203, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24832743

**Fi1m score: 70** · Critics 62 from 16 reviews

*In a sentence:* Peter Dinklage makes prehistoric snobbery worth sitting through quite a lot of prehistoric noise

> Joel Crawford’s prehistoric family comedy has bright creatures, sharp voice performances and more bustle than it needs. The rivalry between its families is funny enough to make the predictable story worth tolerating.

## Synopsis

In a prehistoric world populated by strange animals, the Croods find themselves in a rivalry with a family who consider themselves superior. Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), Eep (voiced by Emma Stone) and Guy (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) face the Bettermans, including Phil Betterman (voiced by Peter Dinklage), Hope Betterman (voiced by Leslie Mann) and Dawn Betterman (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran). Differences over how a family should live put the two households at odds. Their dispute unfolds amid encounters with the surrounding creatures, as the families contend with each other’s habits and assumptions alongside the hazards of prehistoric life.

## Review

*The Croods: A New Age* is a cheerfully silly family comedy whose funniest idea is to give its prehistoric characters someone to look down on them. Joel Crawford gets more mileage from the rivalry between the Croods and the Bettermans than from the busy adventure surrounding it. We recommend it for the voice performances and the strange creatures, with fair warning that the pace can be wearing. The families are entertaining enough together to make the constant need for another burst of action seem unnecessary.

Peter Dinklage gives Phil Betterman the pleased, unhurried delivery of a man who assumes he has already won the discussion. Leslie Mann’s Hope Betterman supplies a different shade of condescension, and both performances let adult irritation into the family fun without making the characters hateful. We laughed most at Peter Dinklage’s self-satisfaction, because he makes Phil Betterman’s certainty of his own good sense sound so unreasonable. The rivalry gives these actors something more rewarding to do than simply raise their voices.

Nicolas Cage is just as useful as Grug, finding a needy, almost plaintive quality beneath the vocal exertion. His broadness suits the animation, but the yearning in the performance makes the family friction matter a little more than the script alone would manage. That is welcome in a film with so many competing demands on our attention. The emotional writing seldom gives its characters enough room, and Nicolas Cage supplies some of the warmth that the rush elsewhere threatens to lose.

Nate Wragg’s production design supplies another good reason to stay: the peculiar prehistoric animals are amusing before they have done anything. The neon colours and improbable creatures give the eye something to enjoy even when the story is following a familiar route. The expressive animation is particularly well suited to physical comedy, allowing the creatures’ odd shapes to contribute to the jokes. The detailed environments also hold interest, though all that colour becomes less pleasurable when the film keeps demanding that we look somewhere else.

James Ryan’s editing keeps the gags arriving, and enough of them have a proper setup and payoff to show that speed has not replaced care altogether. The problem is how rarely one joke is allowed to finish before the next demand on our attention begins. Mark Mothersbaugh’s music makes little impression beside the colour and commotion; we would struggle to recall it separately from the general bustle. More breathing space would help both the jokes and the action, which too often seem to be competing for the same few seconds.

The screenplay, credited to Dan Hageman, Bob Logan, Kevin Hageman and Paul Fisher, gives the families rather familiar problems. The story is predictable, the supporting characters are unevenly served, and the lessons about unity arrive with more emphasis than they need. Family animation can be plain about kindness without labouring the point. Here, the insistence on making the message clear uses time that might have made the relationships more convincing.

At 95 minutes, it is a modest commitment that sometimes feels longer because it keeps pressing for a response. Even so, the good comic acting and visual invention make the familiar plotting forgivable. We would choose it for an evening that calls for bright, unruly nonsense without much emotional involvement. If constant activity is what exhausts the adults in your household, let them have the quieter choice next time.

*Fi1m score 70, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with several critics finding The Croods: A New Age funnier and more inventive than its predecessor. Praise clusters around the strange prehistoric creatures, colourful animation and physical comedy, with the family rivalry supplying some welcome adult-minded humour. The voice cast also earns consistent credit: Peter Dinklage’s dry delivery and Nicolas Cage’s more unrestrained performance are particular pleasures for several reviewers. Even some sceptics find enough good gags to keep it entertaining.

The reservations concern familiar plotting, thin character development and a pace that can turn lively comedy into an endurance test. There is a wide spread beneath that modestly positive consensus. HeyUGuys warmly embraces the silly family escapism, while Variety finds the nonstop jokes overwhelming and the story incoherent. The Hollywood Reporter is similarly resistant, judging the film exhausting and seldom funny despite the strength of its cast and detailed environments.

## Straight answers

**Is The Croods: A New Age worth watching?**

*The Croods: A New Age* is worth watching for families after bright, unruly comedy, and we score it 70 out of 100. Peter Dinklage’s smug Phil Betterman and the peculiar prehistoric creatures make the predictable story forgivable, though the relentless activity can wear down adults who would prefer the jokes to have room to breathe.

**How long is The Croods: A New Age, and what is it rated?**

*The Croods: A New Age* runs 1h 35m. It is an animation and family film.

**Where can I watch The Croods: A New Age in Ukraine?**

*The Croods: A New Age* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from ₴2.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does The Croods: A New Age compare to The Mitchells vs. the Machines?**

*The Croods: A New Age* is the simpler choice for colourful silliness, but we recommend [*The Mitchells vs. the Machines*](https://film.one/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines) for funnier family friction and more feeling beneath the noise. Both have predictable stories and can be wearingly loud; *The Mitchells vs. the Machines* offers stranger interruptions and more inventive visuals, while the Croods benefit chiefly from sharp voice performances.

**What should I watch after The Croods: A New Age?**

After *The Croods: A New Age*, try [*The Mitchells vs. the Machines*](https://film.one/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines) (2021, Fi1m 76): Another squabbling family, with stranger interruptions and more feeling beneath the noise. Then [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove) (2000, Fi1m 80): An arrogant man meets animal indignity, and the comic timing does the rest; and [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): A quieter animal friendship that treats inherited prejudice with warmth and wit.

### Reviews we read (16)

- **Radio Times**, Stephen Applebaum (4/5): Applebaum calls the sequel bigger, better, splashier and more inventive than its predecessor. He singles out Peter Dinklage’s deliciously smarmy performance for praise. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-d6sbfi/the-croods-2-a-new-age/)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (75/100, inferred): Richards finds the sequel funnier, prettier, and more memorable than the original, despite a predictable central story. He praises its vibrant animation and wackadoodle humour, especially the bizarre creature and character flourishes. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-croods-2-a-new-age/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (70/100, inferred): Walsh finds the sequel a fun, if overlong, burst of chaotic energy, with its lessons about unity laid on too thickly. She praises the bright animation and especially Nicolas Cage’s yearning voice performance. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-11-23/review-the-croods-a-new-age)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (B-): Hassenger finds the sequel entertaining but utterly superfluous, with its cleverness fading as it goes along. He praises its surreal, colorful creature designs and the still-high hit rate of its gags. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/an-unnecessary-sequel-to-the-croods-still-has-some-preh-1845721727)
- **The Guardian**, Cath Clarke (65/100, inferred): Clarke finds the sequel an improvement on the original, though its hectic action can become exhausting. She praises the Betterman characters and their grownup-oriented gags as the funniest part. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/15/the-croods-a-new-age-review)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The available page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It identifies no specific element of the film for praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-review/5155124.article)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland (C+): Erbland finds the sequel charming and entertaining enough, though not worth the long wait. She praises its colorful menagerie of strange animals and warm messages, while criticizing its bland animation and familiar story. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-croods-a-new-age-review-dreamworks-sequel-1234599718/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Keith Watson (2.5/4): Watson finds the sequel an improvement on the original, but says its relentless pace leaves the comedy and spectacle wanting. He praises the nuanced voice acting of Peter Dinklage and Leslie Mann, especially Dinklage’s droll performance. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-croods-a-new-age-review/)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (55/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the sequel an adequate, time-passing family film, though its story feels boilerplate and its action less impressive than before. He praises the imaginative prehistoric creatures, especially the inventive beasts and punch-speaking monkeys. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-the-croods-2-a-new-age-with-ryan-reynolds.html)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (25/100, inferred): Debruge finds the sequel loud, exhausting, and lacking a coherent story. He praises its elaborate, colorful animation and sight gags, but says the nonstop jokes overwhelm the film. [Read](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-review-1234838139/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel over-plotted, exhausting, and seldom funny. They praise the voice cast and detailed CG environments, but say the movie is more assaultive than engaging. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-film-review-4096029/)
- **HeyUGuys** (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it a near-perfect dose of silly family escapism. They especially enjoy the rivalry and satire of families who think themselves superior. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-croods-2-a-new-age-review/)
- **Paste**, Joseph Stanichar (6.7): The critic finds it a lighthearted, funny sequel that is more amusing than the original, though it lacks emotional depth. They praise the expressive animation and physical comedy, while noting the smaller scope and forgettable score. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-croods/the-croods-a-new-age-review)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel a charming, funny surprise, despite not reaching the heights of DreamWorks’ best sequels. They praise its carefully constructed comedy and especially its setup-and-payoff gags. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/the-croods-a-new-age-film-review-dreamworks-animation/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (65/100, inferred): Kermode finds the film a fun, if overstuffed, comedy adventure that may wear out older viewers. She praises the quirky animation, dark humour and strong performances, while criticizing the scattered narrative and underdeveloped characters. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-croods-a-new-age-2020-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (5/10): The critic finds the sequel uninspired and says it is not worth going to a theater to see. He praises its neon-hued visuals and Nicolas Cage’s gloriously unhinged voice performance. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/577961/the-croods-a-new-age-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Joel Crawford
- **Director:** Joel Crawford
- **Screenplay:** Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Paul Fisher, Bob Logan
- **Story:** Kirk DeMicco, Chris Sanders
- **Editor:** James Ryan
- **Music:** Mark Mothersbaugh
- **Production design:** Nate Wragg
- **Producer:** Mark Swift
- **Cast:** Nicolas Cage as Grug (voice); Emma Stone as Eep (voice); Ryan Reynolds as Guy (voice); Catherine Keener as Ugga (voice); Cloris Leachman as Gran (voice); Clark Duke as Thunk (voice); Leslie Mann as Hope Betterman (voice); Peter Dinklage as Phil Betterman (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 35m
- **First release (Brazil):** 25 November 2020
- **Genres:** Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
- **Budget:** $65 million
- **Box office:** $216 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy4vAqF9Ko0

## Where to watch in Ukraine

- Amazon Prime Video: rent ₴2.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent ₴3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy ₴6.99, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy ₴7.99, sd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2021: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2020: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Mitchells vs. the Machines* (2021), Fi1m 76: Another squabbling family, with stranger interruptions and more feeling beneath the noise. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-mitchells-vs-the-machines.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): For anyone who thinks the strange animals deserved even more time.
- *My Neighbours the Yamadas* (1999): Gentler family bickering, with room to notice why everyone still belongs together.
- *The Emperor's New Groove* (2000), Fi1m 80: An arrogant man meets animal indignity, and the comic timing does the rest. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A quieter animal friendship that treats inherited prejudice with warmth and wit. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age