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Fantasy drama

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) movie poster

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a 2012 fantasy drama directed by Benh Zeitlin, starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry and Gina Montana. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $21.1 million worldwide. It won 2 awards from 12 nominations, among them 4 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$21.1M
awards won
2
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Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Benh Zeitlin
Genres
Drama , Fantasy
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Beasts of the Southern Wild About?

The premise of Beasts of the Southern Wild without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a secluded bayou, a young girl named Hushpuppy lives with her father in a tight-knit community facing hardship and isolation. Her world is thrown into turmoil when a powerful and devastating storm threatens to destroy their home and the fragile way of life they know. As the levee is breached and danger looms, Hushpuppy must find strength and rely on her imagination to protect her father and navigate the perilous forces of nature, fighting to preserve what remains of her world.

Beasts of the Southern Wild Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • climate change
  • child protagonist
  • community
  • delta
  • bayou
  • louisiana
  • storm
  • single father
  • flood
  • melting ice caps
  • female protagonist
  • poverty
+38 more
  • alcoholic
  • catfish
  • black american
  • father daughter relationship
  • crab
  • hurricane
  • shack
  • african american child
  • child drinks alcohol
  • man wears a hospital gown
  • woman holds a child
  • auroch
  • illness
  • children
  • food
  • animal
  • lost mother
  • tough love
  • levee
  • prehistoric creature
  • girl
  • funeral boat
  • bomb
  • hand fishing
  • rainstorm
  • water wings
  • ringing a bell
  • house fire
  • kitchen fire
  • handfishing
  • missing mother
  • sea level rise
  • first person narration
  • climate crisis
  • viking funeral
  • crying
  • screaming
  • dead alligator
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Cast & crew

Beasts of the Southern Wild Cast

Quvenzhané Wallis leads the cast, with Dwight Henry and Gina Montana. Directed by Benh Zeitlin; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Beasts of the Southern Wild

· 4 more
From the director

More from Benh Zeitlin

More films directed by Benh Zeitlin, best-rated first: Wendy, Glory at Sea and Egg.

Full filmography
Ratings

Beasts of the Southern Wild Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Beasts of the Southern Wild 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

Plot

Beasts of the Southern Wild Plot Summary

What happens in Beasts of the Southern Wild from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a forgotten yet resilient bayou community known as the Bathtub, isolated from the outside world by an immense levee, we meet Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), a spirited six-year-old teetering on the edge of orphan-hood. Her mother has been absent for as long as she can remember, and her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), is a wild and unpredictable character, often caught in the throes of his own chaotic life. When he is at home, the two inhabit a strange reality—Wink resides in a dilapidated shack, while Hushpuppy lives in a trailer precariously balanced atop two oil drums. Frequently left alone in their secluded domain, surrounded by untamed wildlife, Hushpuppy views the world as an intricate tapestry of life, believing that everything is profoundly interconnected.

Full summary

The whole story of Beasts of the Southern Wild, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Beasts of the Southern Wild Box Office

Beasts of the Southern Wild grossed $21.1 million worldwide. $12.8 million came from the US and Canada and $8.3 million (39%) from the rest of the world.

2012 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.1M

US & Canada
$12.8M
International
$8.3M
US & Canada 61% Rest of the world 39%
Awards

Beasts of the Southern Wild Awards & Nominations

Beasts of the Southern Wild won 2 awards from 12 nominations, among them 4 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 2013, with 1 win from 4 nominations.

2 wins12 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Beasts of the Southern Wild Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 3 clips and 13 featurettes.

All 18 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot: "Aurochs"
  • Clip Beasts of the Southern Wild - We Stay Right Here
  • Clip BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Clip: "Wasn't No Time For Cryin'"
  • Clip "Bathtub"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Beasts of the Southern Wild?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the six-year-old protagonist in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'?

Cars

Cars in Beasts of the Southern Wild

14 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet C-1500 and the 1992 Chevrolet Chevy Van.

All 14 cars
  • 1988 Chevrolet C-1500 in Beasts of the Southern Wild 1988 Chevrolet C-1500 Main role
  • 1992 Chevrolet Chevy Van in Beasts of the Southern Wild 1992 Chevrolet Chevy Van Minor role
  • Farmall Cub in Beasts of the Southern Wild Farmall Cub Minor role
  • 1994 International 3800 in Beasts of the Southern Wild 1994 International 3800 Minor role
Details

Beasts of the Southern Wild Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Bestias del sur” and “Savrupnieki no mežonīgajiem dienvidiem”.

Also known as
  • Bestias del sur
  • Savrupnieki no mežonīgajiem dienvidiem
  • Re della terra selvaggia
  • Звери дикого Юга
  • Les bêtes du sud sauvage
  • 南国野兽
  • Bestias del sur salvaje
  • Düşler Diyarı
  • Bestas do Sul Selvagem
  • Divoká stvoření jižních krajin
  • Hushpuppy
  • Bestie z południowych krain
+16 more
  • A messzi dél vadjai
  • Τα Μυθικά Πλάσματα Του Νότου
  • חיות הדרום הפראי
  • 비스트
  • Indomável Sonhadora
  • 南方野獸樂園
  • Зверовете от дивия Юг
  • ハッシュパピー ~バスタブ島の少女~
  • Звiрi дикого Пiвдня
  • Zveri južnih divljina
  • Tarâmul visurilor
  • Zvijeri južnih divljina
  • 南荒的童話
  • Quái Vật Miền Nam Hoang Dã
  • ฮีโร่น้อยฝ่ามรสุมชีวิตเขื่อนกักน้ำ
  • Bèsties del sud salvatge

Seen Beasts of the Southern Wild?

FAQ

Beasts of the Southern Wild FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Beasts of the Southern Wild, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Beasts of the Southern Wild?

Beasts of the Southern Wild runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Beasts of the Southern Wild released?

Beasts of the Southern Wild was released on June 27, 2012.

Who directed Beasts of the Southern Wild?

Beasts of the Southern Wild was directed by Benh Zeitlin.

More films by Benh Zeitlin

Who is in the cast of Beasts of the Southern Wild?

Beasts of the Southern Wild stars Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry and Gina Montana, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Beasts of the Southern Wild make at the box office?

Beasts of the Southern Wild grossed $21.1 million worldwide ($12.8 million domestic, $8.3 million international).

How is Beasts of the Southern Wild rated?

Beasts of the Southern Wild has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

What awards did Beasts of the Southern Wild win?

Beasts of the Southern Wild won 2 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 2013.

Does Beasts of the Southern Wild have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Beasts of the Southern Wild has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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