The Tale of Despereaux (2008): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Tale of Despereaux is a 2008 animated comedy directed by Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell, starring Dustin Hoffman, Matthew Broderick and Emma Watson. It is based on The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and Timothy Basil Ering. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $87 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Animation Feature at the Artios Awards 2009. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Directors
- Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $60M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Tale of Despereaux About?
The premise of The Tale of Despereaux without spoilers, adapted from The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and Timothy Basil Ering. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the kingdom of Dor, a devastating event casts a shadow over the once joyful land, breaking the king's heart and plunging the princess and townsfolk into despair. Amidst the darkness, a small mouse named Despereaux Tilling steps forward. Known for his courage and unwavering spirit, he embarks on a journey that could restore hope and bring light back to the kingdom, facing adversity with surprising bravery.
The Tale of Despereaux Cast
Dustin Hoffman leads the cast, with Matthew Broderick and Emma Watson. Directed by Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell.
- Co-director Robert Stevenhagen
-
Co-director Sam Fell
More from Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell
More films directed by Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell, best-rated first: Sing 2, ParaNorman, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and Flushed Away.
The Tale of Despereaux Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Tale of Despereaux 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
-
IMDb 6.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 57% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 44%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 53 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
The Tale of Despereaux Plot Summary
What happens in The Tale of Despereaux from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During Dor’s annual “Royal Soup Day,” sailor Pietro arrives alongside his curious rat companion, Roscuro, in a charming medieval French kingdom famed for its delicious soups. The kingdom’s esteemed culinary expert, Chef Andre, skillfully creates his famed dishes with the aid of Boldo, a magical culinary genie who resides in his pot. However, tragedy strikes when Roscuro accidentally falls into Queen Rosemary’s soup during a royal banquet, causing her untimely death due to a heart attack. Overwhelmed by remorse, Roscuro soon finds himself abandoned in the castle’s dungeons as Pietro departs.
Full summary
The whole story of The Tale of Despereaux, scene by scene
The Tale of Despereaux Box Office & Budget
The Tale of Despereaux grossed $87 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, 1.4 times what it cost. $50.9 million came from the US and Canada and $36.1 million (41%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$87M
1.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $50.9M
- International
- $36.1M
- Budget
- $60M
The Tale of Despereaux Awards & Nominations
The Tale of Despereaux earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Animation Feature at the Artios Awards 2009.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Artios Awards 2009 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Animation Feature
The Tale of Despereaux Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Tale of Despereaux.
How Well Do You Know The Tale of Despereaux?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What annual event is taking place at the beginning of the movie?
The Tale of Despereaux Also Known As
42 alternative titles, including “双鼠记” and “Le Conte de Despereaux”.
- Also known as
-
- 双鼠记
- Le Conte de Despereaux
- 大耳仔走天涯
- 浪漫的老鼠
- סיפורו של דספרו
- Despereaux - De Dappere Muis
- Despereaux, de dappere muis
- 浪漫鼠，德佩罗
- Lugu hiirest nimega Despereaux
- Priča o mišu zvanom Despero
- El Valiente Despereaux
- Пригоди Десперо
+30 more Show fewer
- Ævintýri Despereaux
- La Légende de Despereaux
- Le avventure del topino Despereaux
- Despero
- Despereaux - Der kleine Mäuseheld
- Sagan om Despereaux
- Приключения Десперо
- A Lenda de Despereaux
- De Dappere Muis
- Příběh o Zoufálkovi
- Eventyret Om Despero
- Cincin lovag
- Historien om Despereaux
- Desperon taru
- Η Ιστορία του Ντεσπερό
- Dzielny Despero
- המסע של דספרו
- O Corajoso Ratinho Despereaux
- 작은 영웅 데스페로
- Príbeh o Zúfalčekovi
- Легендата за Десперо
- Прича о мишу званом Деспероу
- افسانه دسپراکس
- Pasaka par Despero
- Despereaux: Un pequeño gran héroe
- ねずみの騎士デスペローの物語
- 雙鼠記
- El valent Despereaux, დესპეროს თავგადასავალი
- Hiệp Sĩ Chuột
- เดเปอโร...รักยิ่งใหญ่จากใจดวงเล็ก
Seen The Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Tale of Despereaux, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was The Tale of Despereaux released?
The Tale of Despereaux was released on December 19, 2008.
Who directed The Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux was directed by Robert Stevenhagen and Sam Fell.
Who is in the cast of The Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux stars Dustin Hoffman, Matthew Broderick and Emma Watson.
How much did The Tale of Despereaux make at the box office?
The Tale of Despereaux grossed $87 million worldwide ($50.9 million domestic, $36.1 million international) on a budget of $60 million.
How is The Tale of Despereaux rated?
The Tale of Despereaux has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Is The Tale of Despereaux based on a book?
Yes. The Tale of Despereaux is adapted from The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and Timothy Basil Ering.
Was The Tale of Despereaux nominated for any awards?
The Tale of Despereaux received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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