The Rugrats Movie is a 1998 American animated comedy film based on the Nickelodeon animated television series, Rugrats. It was directed by Igor Kovalyov and Norton Virgien and was written by David N. Weiss & J. David Stem. The film takes place between the events of the series' fifth and sixth seasons. The Rugrats Movie is the first feature film based on a Nicktoon and the first installment in the Rugrats film series. The Rugrats Movie was released in the United States on November 20, 1998.
Plot[]
Didi Pickles is pregnant with her second baby as half believe it will be a girl but some believes it will be a boy. Stu is in the basement, building a Reptar-related toy - the Reptar Wagon, for a contest held by the Reptar Corporation to win 500 dollars. He believes it is the perfect children's toy, and that it will make his toy company famous. Back in the house, Tommy is at first enthusiastic about having a younger sister, although Angelica warns him that once the sibling is born, Stu and Didi will forget about him.
While Tommy explains that he will not be forgotten, Didi to exclaim that the baby is on its way, or it could be a coincidence (although she was not due until next week). Everyone rushes out and goes to Dr. Lipschitz's Maternity Arts hospital.
Tommy and the rest of the gang think that his baby is lost, so they decided to go out and buy a new one, and go on a search to find another baby. They end up in a room with many newly born babies, who break out into song about the new world they're in. Eventually, Lou and Boris find the babies, and take them back to the waiting room.
At the hospital room, the baby is delivered by Lucy Carmichael, and to their surprise, it turns out to be a male, who they name Dylan Prescott Pickles (or "Dil" for short). Tommy and the others arrive, and Didi presents him to Dil, at first, it appears they take a liking to each other, until Dil grabs and swings Tommy's nose around. This causes Tommy to start crying, which in turn sets Dil crying as well.
Four weeks later, Dil is still crying nonstop, having barely stopped since being brought home and not listening to his parents. The babies are all tired of the constant noise by now, noting that Tommy's house is suddenly a lot less fun since Dil arrived. Lil thinks Dil is broken, but Tommy disagrees and thinks Dil is just a little loud, which doesn't explain why he's crying. Angelica, annoyed at all the noise Dil is making, sees a commercial on the TV for the Banana Brothers Monkey Circus. Wanting to go, Angelica clamors to Lou if she can go to the circus, to which he states that he thinks the house is already one.
Later that night, Didi is reading a bedtime story for Tommy about a wizard which grants a wish, until Stu comes in with Dil, wanting her help. Both of them sing Dil a lullaby, while Tommy tries to get their attention, but to no avail. Dil eventually falls asleep, and a sad Tommy tucks himself in the closet, thinking that his parents have forgotten him.
The next morning, the gang see that Dil is not very nice and started to become very spoiled and mean, claiming all the toys for himself and refusing to share Tommy's blanket. Lil tells Tommy that he isn't using the right method for getting things from a brother.
Meanwhile, Stu and Lou carry the completed Reptar Wagon up from the basement to the front door, ready for pick up. Later on, Drew drops Angelica off at Stu and Didi's house, as he has to work overtime, but Stu gets angry with him about a comment he made. After walking off, Stu sees Tommy and Dil, who are still fighting over the bear, and tries to stop them. At first, he decides to let Tommy have a turn with it, but changes his mind when Dil starts to cry after it is taken out of his hands, causing Tommy to start crying instead.
Stu decides to take Tommy down into the basement as he has something to show him. He gives Tommy a musical pocket watch that has a picture of Tommy and Dil inside, which he claims now gives Tommy responsibility. He talks to him about being a big brother, and the responsibility he now has. He finishes by assuring that one day, Tommy will be happy to have Dil as his little brother.
Back upstairs, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil see the Reptar Wagon, and are amazed by it. They decide to take Dil back to the hospital using it, to get Tommy's money back (as Tommy believes that by giving Lucy a chocolate coin from the baby shower, they had bought Dil) and think that Tommy will be happy again. Suddenly, Tommy comes in after learning from Stu's advice while returning from the basement, and asks what they are doing with Dil, to which Lil explains to Tommy that they are taking him back to the hospital to get his money back, but Tommy tells them that his parents want to keep him, however, this causes Phil to start arguing with Tommy.
Due to the noise, Angelica comes out telling them to stop it, as she is trying to watch TV, but when Dil sees Cynthia, he takes her away from Angelica, prompting her to try and snatch it back, only to fall into the crate. Furious, Angelica tries to go back at Dil, but is stopped by Tommy, who tells Angelica that Dil didn't mean it. Angelica, ignoring what Tommy said, throws him into the wagon, kicks it, which sends it rolling out the door, and rushes back to the TV as her show, Shirley-Lock Holmes, has come back on, but due to this, she forgets about Cynthia. The delivery truck arrives, and Lou, who is half-asleep, simply tells the man to take it away, but doesn't tell him what item exactly, which causes the goat to be taken instead.
As Spike barks as the delivery truck drives off, Angelica tells him to be quiet, as she and Cynthia are watching TV, only to realize Cynthia is missing. She dresses up in a Shirley-Lock Holmes outfit, and takes Spike to go and find them. The kids end up on a wild ride in the Reptar Wagon as it travels through the streets, down stairs, through a playground, onto a construction site, into a mattress factory, and finally ending up in the back of a mattress truck. Meanwhile, at the house, Stu and Lou realize the kids are gone, and rush out to go and find them after Stu asks Lou where are the kids and the Reptar Wagon.
Stu, along with a sleeping Lou, rush to go and find the kids using the car as Stu furiously berates Lou for not watching the kids, but due to his impatience, he cuts off the mattress truck that the kids are in, causing it to drive off the side of the road, and roll down into the woods. Stu and Lou then go to the airport, and check to see if they are on the plane where the crate is, but find out the goat is there instead.
They both rush back home, and check around the house to see if they are there, until Didi arrives back home from grocery shopping, where Lou blames Stu for losing the kids, making Didi so shocked she drops everything. The parents call the police for help, which attracts huge media attention. The kids are seen outside of the crashed truck, along with the Reptar Wagon as they find themselves lost in the woods, but before they can find their way out, they have to change Dil's diaper. When Chuckie falls back because of Dil, trying to change his diaper along with the others, a frog jumps on his head, which makes him even more annoyed with him. Tommy manages to change Dil's diaper, and decides to use his responsibility (the pocket watch) to help guide them out. They put Dil in the Reptar Wagon and head off.
Meanwhile, Angelica is still looking for the babies, and manages to locate the area where the truck drove off, however, Spike does not slow down, and the road is also sloped, so she and Spike were launched off the edge of the road, and smack into some branches, with Angelica also hitting her back into a tree, knocking her out for a short time. When she wakes up, she sees Spike, and tells him that not all dogs go to heaven.
Stu, Didi, and the others walk out of the Pickles home, only to be mobbed by news reporters, until a helicopter suddenly flies in. Rex Pester, another news reporter, jumps out and starts asking Didi questions. Betty gets annoyed with his attitude towards the situation, and tries to attack him, only to be held back by Stu and Lou. A few moments later, Charlotte and Drew arrive, wondering what's going on. Rex runs up to Drew and tells him his brother has lost his daughter. Drew, infuriated, tackles Stu and tries to break his arm. Rex wraps up his report by giving the names of each missing child, but mispronounces them all (in order, "young Tammy, baby Dale, the twins Bill and Jill, little Chunky, and poor Amelia"). Just after he finishes, Chas lets everyone know that Angelica and Spike have been seen, and they all hurry to the location, while Lou comes out wearing his uniform and joins them.
The babies continue to pull the Reptar Wagon up the hill, and are still complaining about Dil. They reach a steep drop, and are clueless as to what they should do next. Chuckie began to cry, believing that they were doomed and is not sure what to do, but Phil furiously blames it on Dil, and Lil joins in causing Tommy to get annoyed and tells her that Dil is just a baby, but when he does, Dil pulls one of Tommy's diaper straps off, causing it to fall down. Tommy tries to take it positively, saying it's good to be naked as it's hot in the woods. Phil and Lil continue to argue with Tommy, but Chuckie notices a house in the distance, and Tommy thinks that a wizard might live there, meaning that they will be able to go home if they wish for it. Tommy runs back to the Reptar Wagon but trips over a large footprint, Phil notices that it is from a wolf, to which Tommy disagrees, saying that they would hear a howl, but as Tommy imitates a howl, a real one is heard. The babies panic, jump into the Reptar Wagon, and ride off the steep decline, but as they roll down the hill, Dil keeps turning the steering wheel.
Frank and Margaret are seen patrolling the forest, as Frank tells her about the dangers of the forest, suddenly, the Reptar Wagon jumps past them from behind, which makes Margaret excited to think there are dragons too. The babies continue to roll down the hill, but can't find a way to stop the wagon. Tommy presses everything, until he pulls a lever down which makes the wagon stop right on the edge of a cliff with a water below. Dil releases the brake, and they fall into the water. The Reptar Wagon changes into Aqua Reptar, giving it a float and a propeller, and they float down the water.
At the ranger house, Margaret is excited to tell headquarters about the dragon, but Frank emphasizes the courage needed to work in the forest, he looks through a telescope and also sees the Reptar Wagon, causing him to jump back in panic and scream that he saw the dragon, which gets Margaret more excited. Back at the mattress truck crash scene, Lou finds a wrapper for a Cynthia bar, and assumes Angelica is looking for the babies. Chas and Howard come running out from the woods to tell everyone that they found wheel tracks and footprints, with Stu coming to a conclusion that they must be in the Reptar Wagon. Drew scolds Stu about how stupid his inventions are, but this only gives Stu an idea. Betty sorts everything out by ordering everyone about what they should do, while Stu, Lou, and Chas get in the car and drive off.
In the river, the babies start to sing a sea chantey, but hit a rock shortly after, causing both Dil and Chuckie to fall to the side. Tommy decides to save Dil while Chuckie goes overboard and falls into the river, but realizes it's not very deep, as he is standing up, he pulls out a fish that got into his shorts. Phil launches a life ring, which lands perfectly over Chuckie, but Lil pushes a button that causes the wagon to speed up, taking Chuckie on a ride, until he hits the water and falls out of the life ring. Phil and Lil pull it back to the wagon, and Chuckie is seen holding onto it. When Chuckie is back on board, he questions why Tommy didn't help him, but once again, Tommy says that Dil is just a baby. Suddenly, Phil and Lil notice they are heading towards a waterfall, causing all of the babies to panic, they try to turn the wagon around, and manage to do so, but Dil pulls a lever that raises the propeller, Tommy quickly pushes it back, and they manage to escape, but spin out and crash into a tree trunk on the land, sending all of them flying. Tommy lands on a bush, which makes his pocket watch fall out, it starts to roll down to the river, and he jumps and grabs it just before it falls in.
Back at the Pickles house, Stu, Lou, and Chas are attempting to get down Dactar - Stu's flying invention. However, it's too heavy, and the pulley breaks the roof, causing it to fall and nearly land on Lou, who is then seen sleeping under it.
The babies pull the Reptar Wagon up from the shore, and try to figure out where the wizard is. Once again, Tommy uses his pocket watch for directions, but ends up circling a tree for a while. Chuckie thinks there might be other babies around, while Phil and Lil vociferate at Tommy, criticizing his pocket watch; claiming it's broken, just like Dil. Tommy starts to argue back, which begins to give Chuckie a headache. While Chuckie distances himself away from the yelling, he spots a clown, and yells out. Tommy, Phil, and Lil come over, and realize it's a train. Suddenly, the carriage door opens, and a mysterious figure pops out. The figure is revealed to be circus monkeys, who then jump out and break into song, dancing and playing with the babies while they do. During the song, Chuckie's glasses fall off, and are taken by the monkeys. Soon after, Dil starts to cry for hunger and an annoyed Tommy goes to open some food for Dil, which happens to be banana paste.
After opening it, the smell of the bananas veers the monkeys toward it. Dil splatters the food all over himself, and Tommy throws away the empty jar, but in doing so, causes the monkeys to charge towards it. One of them snatches the diaper bag and runs off, so Tommy chases after them, while other monkeys start to lick the paste off Dil. Chuckie notices this, and rushes to help Dil, but the monkeys try to take him away. Chuckie does his best to hold onto Dil, asking Phil and Lil for their help, but they do not care, and watch as Chuckie continues to hold Dil. Dil slips out, and flies into Phil and Lil's arms; while they hold onto Dil as he is being pulled up by a monkey, they purposely let go, launching him up with the monkey. Meanwhile, Chuckie is trying to get his glasses back from another monkey, who then drops them and runs off. Chuckie searches the ground for them, but accidentally steps on them, cracking the lenses. The monkeys leave, taking Dil with them. Both Phil and Lil are happy about this, while Chuckie is horrified.
Spike continues to drag Angelica through the forest, but breaks one of her roller skates in the process. As Angelica is taking it off, a wolf named Scar Snout sneaks up behind her. Angelica thinks it's Spike who stinks, but he quickly runs off with Angelica behind once again, just as Scar Snout bites down, narrowly avoiding her. Scar Snout is reluctant to give up, and growls while Spike drags Angelica off into the distance. Back at the Pickles residence, Stu is on the roof ready to launch Dactar, which he is tying from a rope to his car for easy takeoff. He assures that it will fly as he is facing the wind. Lou asks Chas if Stu is ready, to which Chas replies that he is not, Lou, however, mishears this and thinks Chas told him to go, which he does. As Lou drives off, the rope gets caught around Stu's leg, and pulls him off the roof, Dactar starts to fall, but gets enough wind speed to stay in the air, albeit very unstably.
Back in the forest, Chuckie, Phil and Lil disguise a smaller monkey as Dil to trick Tommy into thinking Dil has turned into one. While the others are ardent to depart, Tommy insists on finishing feeding Dil, he removes the blanket, and is surprised to see that Dil has turned into a monkey. A thunderstorm approaches, and Chuckie suggests that they get going, but Tommy doesn't want to, as he can't go home with Dil being a monkey. Chuckie tells Tommy that they must get to the wizard's house, which gives Tommy an idea: to wish Dil was back to normal. However, as they will only get one wish, an argument is sparked up as they won't be able to get home if Dil gets the wish. Shortly into the argument Lil accidentally spills out the truth, admitting that the monkey is not actually Dil. Chuckie explains what happens, and Phil and Lil exclaim that they don't want to help Tommy find his brother. Tommy turns to his best friend Chuckie, asking for his help, but also gets a no from him. Chuckie explains that if Tommy were his best friend, he would help him more, and lists recent events where Tommy was too busy looking after Dil to help or care for him. Lil tells Tommy that he doesn't have any friends left, only his brother now. An upset Tommy decides to look for Dil himself. As he walks off into the distance with the diaper bag, the storm hits, and it starts to rain.
Eventually Tommy finds Dil and they find shelter underneath a tree. Tommy tries to look after Dil, but finally reaches his breaking point when Dil selfishly drinks all of their milk and refuses to share the big blanket with Tommy in the cold weather. Tommy snaps at Dil, angry with him for losing him his friends and his parents, and is ready to abandon him for the monkeys to take him away, but when Tommy sees how scared Dil is and sees a reflection of his own angry face, he comes to his senses and apologizes to his brother. They both turn over a new leaf, with Dil willingly sharing the torn blanket with Tommy who promises to never abandon his brother. Meanwhile, Chuckie and the twins are trying to find their own way through the storm. Chuckie wants to go back for Tommy and Dil. The twins selfishly say no and voice how they think Tommy only cares about Dil now which is why they let the monkeys take Dil. The next morning after the thunderstorm is over, Tommy and Dil are attacked by the monkeys but are saved by Phil and Lil. Chuckie then scares off the monkeys with the Reptar Wagon, and Tommy leaves to help him.
With that, the babies are all friends again and are eventually reunited with Angelica and Spike. Tommy leads them to the bridge where on the other side they spot what they think is the Lizard's house (in reality a ranger station) and look forward to being sent back home, but once they reach the bridge, so do the monkeys. To make things worse, both groups get attacked by a stray wolf who has been stalking them throughout the film. The children start to panic while the monkeys run away in fear of the wolf, but Spike bravely engages in a fight with the wolf, ending with the two dogs falling off the bridge to their apparent deaths leaving Angelica and the babies heartbroken. Just then, Stu, searching for the babies on his "Dactar" glider, spots the babies on the bridge and accidentally crashes into the ranger station.
Tommy believes his father in the wrecked glider to be the Lizard Man, and instead of wishing to be sent home he instead wishes for Spike to be brought back to life. Stu falls through the bridge, where he finds Spike alive and well. The other parents suddenly arrive and are reunited with their children just as the Banana Brothers find their monkeys and take them back. Charlotte throws away her phone, finally putting Angelica before her job, Stu and Drew apologize to each other, and Dil finally shares his bottle of milk with Tommy, now happy to have each other as a brother.
Back home, the babies go on another Okey Dokey Jones adventure but this time with Dil, having fully accepted him into the group. Now with an extra member, the babies are able to reach the bowl as Chuckie's voice over tells the audience that things never did go back to the way they were... with Dil around, things got even better.
Voice Cast[]
- Japanese
- English
- Elizabeth Daily as Tommy Pickles
- the late Christine Cavanaugh as Chuckie Finster
- Kath Soucie as Phil DeVille, Lil DeVille and Betty DeVille
- Tara Strong as Dil Pickles
- Cheryl Chase as Angelica Pickles
- the late Jack Riley as Stu Pickles
- Melanie Chartoff as Didi Pickles and Grandma Minka
- Michael Bell as Drew Pickles, Chas Finster and Grandpa Boris
- Tress MacNeille as Charlotte Pickles
- Philip Proctor as Howard DeVille, Igor
- the late Joe Alaskey as Grandpa Lou Pickles
- David Spade as Frank
- Whoopi Goldberg as Margaret
- Tim Curry as Rex Pester
- Hattie Winston as Dr. Lucy Carmichael
- Andrea Martin as Aunt Miriam
- Cree Summer as Susie Carmichael
- the late Tony Jay as Dr. Lipschitz
- Busta Rhymes as Reptar Wagon
- Roger Clinton Jr. as Air Crewman
- Margaret Cho as Lt. Klavin
- Edie McClurg as Nurse
- Charlie Adler as United Express Driver
- Gregg Berger as Circus TV Announcer
- Abraham Benrubi as Serge
Trivia[]
- The movie had aired on Nickelodeon on June 18, 2004.
Gallery[]
