Over the Hedge (2006)
A wily raccoon, a nervous turtle, and a hyperactive squirrel take on the suburbs in DreamWorks' sharp and surprisingly heartfelt animated comedy.
Over the Hedge - Movie Information
- Original Title: Over the Hedge
- Release Year: 2006
- Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Family, Comedy, Animation, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 23m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 17, 2006 (Philippines), May 19, 2006 (United States - PG), May 19, 2006 (Canada), July 30, 2006 (United Kingdom - U), July 6, 2006 (Germany - 0), July 5, 2006 (France - TP), July 31, 2006 (New Zealand), June 15, 2006 (Australia - G), July 7, 2006 (Brazil), July 7, 2006 (Mexico - B), October 27, 2006 (Italy), June 16, 2006 (Spain), May 31, 2006 (South Korea)
- Alternative Titles: Becava ke upara (IN), Meti khejirebas (GE), Preko ograde (RS), Za zivo mejo (SI), Sa ibabaw ng halamang-bakod (PH), Ansooy-e parchin (IR), Лісова братія (UA), Praz plot (BY)
- Production Companies: DreamWorks Animation
- Production Countries: United States of America
Over the Hedge - Plot
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 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the suburban chaos unfold:
Get over it.
Where to Watch Over the Hedge
Looking for where to watch Over the Hedge?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Over the Hedge - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Karey Kirkpatrick
- Tim Johnson
Main Cast
- Bruce Willis
- Garry Shandling
- Steve Carell
- Wanda Sykes
- William Shatner
- Nick Nolte
- Thomas Haden Church
- Allison Janney
- Eugene Levy
- Catherine O'Hara
Writers
- Len Blum
- Lorne Cameron
- David Hoselton
- Karey Kirkpatrick
Producers
- Bonnie Arnold
- Christian Kubsch
Over the Hedge - FAQs
What is Over the Hedge about?
Over the Hedge follows RJ, a fast-talking raccoon who tricks a group of hibernating forest animals into raiding a newly built suburban neighborhood to help him repay a dangerous debt to a grizzly bear. Along the way, the unlikely crew discovers the meaning of family and belonging.
Is RJ really the villain in Over the Hedge?
RJ starts out as a self-serving schemer who manipulates the animals for his own gain, which puts him squarely in morally grey territory. But as the story unfolds, he genuinely bonds with the group and ultimately chooses them over his own survival — making his arc one of the film's most satisfying surprises.
Where can you stream Over the Hedge right now?
You can stream Over the Hedge on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. If you prefer to own it, it's available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
What makes Hammy the squirrel so memorable?
Steve Carell voices Hammy with such manic, wide-eyed energy that the hyperactive squirrel practically steals every scene he's in. His caffeine-fueled sequence near the film's climax — where time appears to slow to a crawl around him — became one of the most beloved and quoted moments in the movie.
Who are the main voice actors in Over the Hedge?
The cast is stacked with talent. Bruce Willis leads as the raccoon RJ, with Garry Shandling as the cautious turtle Verne and Steve Carell as the hyperactive squirrel Hammy. Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, Thomas Haden Church, Allison Janney, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O'Hara round out the ensemble.
Is Over the Hedge based on a comic strip?
Yes! Over the Hedge is adapted from the long-running newspaper comic strip of the same name, created by Michael Fry and T Lewis. The strip launched in 1995 and built a following with its sharp suburban satire. DreamWorks expanded the premise into a full animated feature, adding new characters and a more structured plot.
Is Over the Hedge appropriate for young children?
Over the Hedge is rated PG, making it a solid pick for families with kids of most ages. The humor is fast and layered enough to keep adults entertained, while the colorful characters and slapstick action keep younger viewers engaged. There are a few mildly tense moments, but nothing too scary for little ones.
How did Over the Hedge perform at the box office?
Over the Hedge was a genuine hit. Made on a budget of around $80 million, the film earned over $343 million worldwide at the box office — a strong return that cemented it as one of DreamWorks Animation's crowd-pleasing successes of the mid-2000s animated boom.
More About Over the Hedge
Explore further details about Over the Hedge on these trusted resources.