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Animated comedy

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) movie poster

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a 2021 animated comedy directed by Jeff Rowe, starring Danny McBride as Rick, Maya Rudolph and Doug the Pug. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and was made on a reported $75 million budget. It won 2 awards from 5 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Stream it on Netflix, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
awards won
2
Echo Score
90
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Jeff Rowe
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$75M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Mitchells vs. The Machines About?

The premise of The Mitchells vs. The Machines without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Katie Mitchell is eager to leave for film school when her family insists on a road trip. During the journey, a global robot uprising begins, endangering humanity. Now, Katie and her eccentric family—including her dad, mom, brother, and their pug—must put aside their differences and team up to save the world from the machines, encountering quirky robots along the way.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • family road trip
  • furby
  • father daughter relationship
  • cgi animation
  • computer animation
  • evil robot
  • robot army
  • pet dog
  • virtual assistant
  • altered version of studio logo
  • brother sister relationship
  • husband wife relationship
+38 more
  • five word title
  • aspiring filmmaker
  • robot apocalypse
  • lesbian
  • war against machines
  • versus in title
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
  • smartphone
  • one woman army
  • robot human friendship
  • human versus machine
  • disguised as robot
  • family as protagonists
  • eyeglasses
  • technology
  • psychotronic film
  • robot uprising
  • ai takeover
  • cg animation
  • road trip adventure
  • quirky comedy
  • artificial intelligence sci fi
  • robot sci fi
  • reference to yelp
  • vomiting on the side of the road
  • mule
  • hoodie
  • reference to instagram
  • people magazine
  • video call
  • co written by director
  • actor director writer
  • co written by cast member
  • 7 year old boy
  • 17 year old girl
  • 38 year old woman
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Stream it on Netflix, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Cast & Characters

Danny McBride leads the cast as Rick, with Maya Rudolph as Linda and Doug the Pug as Monchi. Directed by Jeff Rowe; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Mitchells vs. The Machines

· 15 more
Ratings

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Mitchells vs. The Machines 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 90/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (78).

90 /100

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film delivers a high-energy blend of comedy and heartfelt family drama, supported by distinctive animation and a resonant emotional core. Critics and audiences alike commend its inventive visual style and witty script, while noting that the narrative sometimes leans on familiar tropes and resolves plot points swiftly. The combination of strong voice performances and engaging humor makes it appealing for repeat viewings. Consequently, the movie achieves a robust appeal despite occasional storytelling simplicity.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    Regarding art and craft, the film excels through a hybrid animation approach that merges traditional 2‑D textures with chaotic 3‑D sequences. Reviewers highlight the creative use of collage‑style editing and a vibrant color palette that maintains visual cohesion despite rapid scene changes. This inventive visual execution consistently reinforces the story’s tone, resulting in a strong artistic impression.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    In terms of character and emotion, the voice ensemble delivers nuanced performances that anchor the family dynamics, particularly the father‑daughter relationship praised for its authenticity. Critics note the emotional resonance of the protagonists and the lovable nature of the supporting cast. Although a few reviewers mention limited character depth, the overall portrayal remains compelling.

  • Story & Flow 78

    Story-wise, the screenplay balances humor with a cautionary message about technology, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps viewers engaged. The plot’s core— a dysfunctional family uniting to thwart an AI uprising— offers originality within a familiar sci‑fi framework. Some critics point to rapid resolution of certain conflicts, suggesting a degree of narrative simplicity.

  • Sensory Experience 86

    The sensory experience combines an upbeat soundtrack with precise sound design that accentuates comedic beats and action sequences. Visual cohesion is achieved through consistent lighting and a vibrant palette that complements the hybrid animation style. Reviewers consistently praise the film’s lively auditory and visual textures, enhancing overall immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 90

    Rewatch factor is high, as the film’s jokes, visual gags, and heartfelt moments encourage multiple viewings. Audience comments emphasize the delight of returning to the quirky animation and family interactions, while critics note its lasting appeal for both children and adults, reinforcing repeatability.

Plot

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Plot Summary

What happens in The Mitchells vs. The Machines from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Katie Mitchell is a uniquely spirited and aspiring filmmaker hailing from Kentwood, Michigan. In a household where nature is revered and technology is shunned, she often finds herself at odds with her father, Rick. Despite their clashes, Katie has exciting news: she has been accepted into a prestigious film school in California. However, the night before her departure, a heated argument between Katie and her father results in him accidentally damaging her laptop, casting doubt on their relationship.

Full summary

The whole story of The Mitchells vs. The Machines, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Awards & Nominations

The Mitchells vs. The Machines won 2 awards from 5 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination.

2 wins5 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

The Mitchells vs. The Machines Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip Meet the Mitchells
  • Featurette The Mitchells vs. The Machines Director Reveals the Film Has a Secret Robot Language
  • Featurette The Groundbreaking Animation of The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

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 Katie Mitchell's passion that causes tension with her father?

Cars

Cars in The Mitchells vs. The Machines

7 cars on screen, including the 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity and the 2016 Tesla Model X.

All 7 cars
  • 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity in The Mitchells vs. The Machines 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity Main role
  • 2016 Tesla Model X in The Mitchells vs. The Machines 2016 Tesla Model X Minor role
  • AEC Routemaster in The Mitchells vs. The Machines AEC Routemaster Background role
  • 2001 Dodge Caravan in The Mitchells vs. The Machines 2001 Dodge Caravan Background role

Seen The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

From the blog

Articles About The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Our article about The Mitchells vs. The Machines: “Exploring the World of Animated Films: Beyond Just Cartoons”.

FAQ

The Mitchells vs. The Machines FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and awards of The Mitchells vs. The Machines, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was The Mitchells vs. The Machines released?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines was released on April 30, 2021.

Who directed The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines was directed by Jeff Rowe.

More films by Jeff Rowe

Who is in the cast of The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines stars Danny McBride as Rick, Maya Rudolph as Linda and Doug the Pug as Monchi, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

In the US, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is streaming on Netflix and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of The Mitchells vs. The Machines?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines had a reported budget of $75 million.

How is The Mitchells vs. The Machines rated?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79% on TMDB and 4.3/5 on Movie Insider.

What awards did The Mitchells vs. The Machines win?

The Mitchells vs. The Machines won 2 awards from 5 nominations, including Best Animated Feature at the Critics' Choice 2022.

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