When You Accidentally Make The Perfect Indie Film

Napoleon Dynamite is one of the most quotable comedies of all time, but what exactly makes it so special? Let's dive into the characters, the setting, and just what makes this film feel so relatable.
All music/SFX properly licensed via motionarray

[@bluethelucario6194]

Funny Story about this movie, my late grandfather absolutely loved it. It was so funny seeing a tiny Hispanic priest who usually was so serious all the time in hysterics over some awkward teens in funny situations.

[@findsharon]

How was your grandfather a priest?

[@thenaturalmidsouth9536]

​@@findsharonHispanic Episcopalian??

[@lkrnpk]

a Jew, with business?

[@gabemarshall4841]

@@findsharon orthodox priest are allowed to marry and there is a couple of cases of converted Anglicans in the catholic church my priest is married and im a catholic

[@yunglombardo4968]

I went with my grandpa to see this too he always read the news paper and found some theater in Houston doing a sneak preview and he loved it. We lived in a town reminiscent of Napoleon’s.

[@beesknees947]

The opening credits are the most creative ones I've ever seen.

[@immortanleo3868]

The closing song, as they play tether ball, always makes me tear up

[@Renzy_YT]

🎶 I’m sorry but I’m just thinkin of the right words to say 🎶

[@jax9101]

me too lol

[@ericMT]

“The Promise” by When in Rome

[@sawdust8691]

You just made the whole scene play in my head

[@Aronbuddy]

It gives me a deep sense of nostalgia for some reason- sad to see it end.

[@josephgarcia3690]

I can’t be the only one who thought this movie was an 80s movie when I was a child

[@user-pc3io5ji1o]

I didn’t think it was an 80s movie but I always thought it was meant to be set in the late 80s or early 90s

[@willrunriot]

@@user-pc3io5ji1o early mid-90s. Chat rooms weren’t really a thing until then, and they were full of, mostly, people like Kip. And Pedro’s bike is 90s AF, with the shocks. That wasn’t really an 80s thing.

[@Uhohlisa]

@@user-pc3io5ji1oit takes place in 2004, but the point is before the internet became a huge thing, small towns were still stuck in the early 90s style wise.

[@audiogus2651]

@@willrunriothehe looks so much like my 30 year old Giant bike, still ride it to this day

[@bradleyhowell4155]

​@@user-pc3io5ji1o i grew up in rural idaho. We really are 2 decades in the past. We are just now getting to the early 2000s

[@djvoid1]

An unfortunate side effect of this movie was how self-aware indie movies became afterwards. Everyone was suddenly trying to be twee, earnest and cute and it suddenly felt inauthentic as a film movement

[@megalord2141]

True

[@TheNerdistheWord]

Yeah Juno is probably the only exception. So funny!

[@Uhohlisa]

⁠@@TheNerdistheWordlol what? Juno is the first movie anyone thinks of when you say “self-aware twee”

[@Nina_Gonzalez]

@@Uhohlisaliterally 😭

[@Thenewboidahlia]

I hate that it’s been 20 years already 😭😂

[@brittnis7294]

"i see youre drinking 1%.. is that cause you think youre fat?" Lmao When they show napolens drawing of trish is still sooo funny to me

[@yaretzzii]

i love how at the end at the movie there just are a bunch of trees the sunset and everything feels more comfortable rather than the awkwardness i felt the whole movie, i love that everyone i sympathize with gets a happy ending.

[@popeye089]

This movie literally changed the movie landscape

[@Vivi_9]

How?

[@popeye089]

@@Vivi_9 that’s too long a discussion for a comment section, but you’re more than free to luck up a number of articles and papers regarding it. This movie is sited in several film classes I have taken over the years

[@Buplo]

No it didnt

[@mostawesomecomment6553]

​@@popeye089 You have not taken several film classes, and you have provided ZERO evidence to back up your baseless claim.

[@popeye089]

@@mostawesomecomment6553 oh I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was supposed to educate you. Carry on with your sad life. Go read some books. Attend a discussion. 😂 get educated why don’t you

[@PoloProdzz22]

I live 2 hours away from Preston and this movie is my whole childhood

[@IzapcThunder]

I met the actors of Napoleon, Pedro and Rico in real life. They were all really cool

[@Mrs.NRalphs]

I recently met Jon Heder at my nephews school. His daughter and my nephew are in the same class. People take pic with him around town. He’s super nice and chatted with my family for a minute.

[@sundayssslave]

Growing up I used to always say "Your mom goes to college" as an insult with no idea what it meant or why it was funny. It basically just functioned as a Shibboleth to see if peers understood what I was referencing. ND was perfect for these types of shibboleth.

[@Logannnnnnnnnnn]

Do the chickens have large talons

[@lisaharling6801]

😂

[@edsonpacheco294]

What?

[@mordaciousfilms]

This literally is one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time. It's so relatable and likable and just genuinely charming in such a comforting way that I am so happy it's been so ridiculously successful - it's not often these sorts of films HIT with the general public. And it's great that it really wasn't TRYING to be "oh so quirky and indie" like other films since... since then, there have been other borderline "indie mainstreams" like ME, EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, Be Kind Rewind and others... I also really loved the Hess' film GENTLEMAN BRONCOS.

[@fermentedcinema4892]

The montage at the end is perfect. The rising score, Napoleon walking around town and seeing how everyone has evolved, and ending up at the the tetherball.

[@InteractiveMediaXVI]

I’m a truck driver. When i go to various customers i say “(my company name) here to make your logistics dreams come true.” I just love weirding out people, and ND is a major source of inspiration.

[@larrywarren2130]

I'm 65 and have watched this movie 20 times. I find it brilliant!

[@S62Uce]

I remember going back to school after watching this over the weekend, all the 5th graders were saying “Tina you fatlard” and “frickin idiot” on the blacktop 😂 this movie was a huge part of my childhood lol

[@richardcorwin3360]

So my son was a freshman in high school when the movie came out and he and his friends saw it. In the beginning of his sophomore year, we had informed him that we were moving to Idaho. Being that the film was his only Idaho reference he totally freaked out! 🤣🤣🤣

[@kaileyselin8453]

I was 13 and I remember going to the theatre to see it in Calgary. It’s been my favourite ever since.

[@txwtw]

I watched the movie yesterday and didn’t get it at all and originally thought it had no coherent storyline compared to other movies but this video explained a lot of the movie and helped me understand it a lot more, thanks man/gen. The movie really is just about the average life of a teenager back then.

[@jh2519]

First time watching I felt the same. Second time I thought it was hilarious.

[@_thomas1031]

I'm so appreciative that the internets allowed more and more to find out that there's others that love this film😄👏

[@ae52569]

jamiroquai was cooking some canned heat

[@TheNerdistheWord]

You’re right. The more I watch it the funnier it gets. I remember watching it when it came out and I was 14. I thought it was the stupidest movie I’d ever seen. Then I saw it again in my early 20s and laughed my head off. 20 years later I turn it on every once in a while and it just gets funnier and funnier every time. So quotable I love it so much!!

[@steveneardley7541]

I saw it as an adult--totally didn't get it for about half the movie, but enjoyed it a lot by the end.

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

Vote for Pedro.

[@willygggggg]

and all your wildest dreams shall come true

[@user-ce8ut8hr9k]

The actor who played the uncle really threw it over the mountains.

[@mcnuttington7122]

The slow piano with the clips kept me laughing

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

I have to say the Muhammad mclovin scene would have gotten that exact reaction from me if i had heard that in real life

[@Dreamweaver94]

Napoleon's horse shirt is so funny to me, it fits his personality so well.

[@dougb4956]

I was a missionary in many small towns in Idaho in the early 80s. This is so relatable. I'm from SoCal. Some parts of Idaho were like a foreign country. But full of good, decent people.

[@doodleground]

Once again, you knocked it out of the park with this video essay. Agreed with everything you said, and your diction, pacing and script just flow so well. I can really feel the effort and care you put into your scripts. Your videos are rare KZbin gold :))

[@Renzy_YT]

What a kind thing to say, thank u so much! 🙏🏼

[@mattkonetski9818]

Was looking for this comment. Super easy to follow, movie clips timed perfectly. A+, you earned a subscriber.

[@devak45167]

I was in the theater opening weekend. People were literally standing up and cheering the final dance scene and full standing ovation at the credits. It was such an experience everyone was losing it

[@TheStarshipGarage]

A great summary, still the funniest move of all time

[@albertperson4013]

We need to create a National "Come to Work as Your Favorite Movie Character" Day. Napoleon would be high on my list.

[@growthandunderstanding]

What an amazing analysis! I am amazed by the depth and breadth of your ability to dissect such a wide variety of aspects of the film, while connecting them to aspects of real life. You must be a genius! Totally brilliant!

[@phonemeunit1973]

"Your mom goes to college." - Kip

[@jacksonjones7212]

Im proud to say that this movie was filmed in my hometown

[@lauren1779]

We quoted this film for our entire childhood im happy to Report my 11 year old has seen it and has picked up some quotes 😂 she kills it with laughs at school

[@kylanwilson2754]

“You’re mom goes to college” will never not be rofl funny 😂

[@takeaminute2144]

I was in the Boise airport right after this movie came out. Almost everyone I passed was talking about it or saying lines from it. I'd never seen anything like that in my life! Phenomenal

[@modest_meghan]

my favorite movie of all time

[@SleepyLabrador-dp6em]

When I worked at Hollywood Video I got arrested for stealing this dvd.

[@PhilipVeinstein]

Another great video man! I feel like my comments on your every video are the same haha, but your videos are great! Love your narration and the topics you choose, I always learn something new even if I know a lot about the video subject. Keep up the good work🔥

[@Renzy_YT]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support Philip ❤️ It’s much appreciated!

[@ericv7720]

It's like a lion and a tiger mixed, bred for its skills in magic.

[@hollynunu8958]

This movie inspired us to drag toys behind our bus as well ahaha

[@SuperDuperVision]

Man, within 3 videos you’re easily one of my favorite modern KZbinrs. Fr. You really have a great take on the video essay format. Not to sound weird but you have a great speaking voice. Cadence and editing is A+ only 1 minute in but i already know my next video to watch is one of yours. All respect to you man.

[@Renzy_YT]

Not weird at all! It’s super kind feedback and always really refreshing to read. I appreciate all the love 🙌🏼

[@djinnxx7050]

I've never managed to get through it because it just isn't my thing, but what i remember of the little I've seen, i see it as a film about autistic students in a small town trying to find their place within it and finding friendship with eachother. I perhaps see it that way due to my own experience, aspects being relatable in the context of autism.

[@txwtw]

What aspects about it are relatable to autism?/genq (coming from someone who’s autistic)

[@djinnxx7050]

@@txwtw The general awkwardness to begin with, albeit surface level but not without causes related to varying degrees of social retardation which is what "high functioning" autism mainly is. Not so much anything that can be suggested as a lack of intellect or ability, but an inability to perform in a social context. It's the anxiety from discomfort, not having an intrinsic reading of others, I guess a struggle to empathise or otherwise too much empathy and difficulty in relaying it or dealing with it, fear of mistakes etc (perhaps reinforced by bullying), making social interaction much harder than it appears to be for others. And also difficulty in self regulation, in how you express yourself, your tone, being off-beat with your humour etc. What's the main guys name in the film, Napoleon? Anyway, he displays some degree of the above. He's also monotone in his speech, and when asked about something he's interested in he'll give detail and I can imagine were it not a film with time constraints, go balls deep on it to the regret of whoever made the enquiry, at least if that person is "normal". But in turn, he forgets to ask their interest because it's just not something that is naturally considered, that mindset of not so much self absorption by intent but being too much in your own world as a means to combat various issues such as anxiety or sensory overload. When in a social setting, or outside environment, it can be harder to speak to autistic people without knowing their interest beforehand. But if you're someplace where they are totally comfortable, it somewhat melts away their anxieties and they open up and become more inquisitive of others and talkative. Perhaps to fairly personal degrees, but that's part of the social retardation, to not know exactly where the lines are drawn, only that they exist but you can't see them so well, if at all. I use retardation correctly here so please don't be getting offended by it. It means to be held back or delayed, and a notable aspect is the delay in social ability, amongst other things depending on how each individual is wired. I'm comfortable using it in reference to myself as both a genuine medical term, I am socially retarded, and also a self depreciating sense when I get annoyed by my inability to achieve what to others is a very basic thing. It is what it is. To answer that question from a more personal perspective, I relate to that awkwardness, and that somewhat catanic feel to daily life because you don't fit in and it feels like you're either invisible or you're bullied, so you just kinda fade away into your own mind as a safe space until you find something or someone to, and not to sound parasitic, latch onto as a way to draw yourself out and feel somewhat alive and worthwhile. I'm not diagnosed as autistic though (I narrowly missed the boat on the UKs education system actually giving a shit about it) so I could just be eternally depressed and have adhd, probably all three knowing my bloody luck. To be clear though, I haven't even seem the entire film. I'm going of what little I've seen and can relate to, but my reading of a situation could be wrong. Or just different.

[@txwtw]

@@djinnxx7050 I’ve seen the whole movie and I’m not quite sure if they are autistic or not, or even autistic coded, the characters may’ve simply just been awkward and thats probably just it idk however I do understand your perspective of it. Also yeah, as someone who is autistic I’m quite guilty of info dumping on my interests and forgetting to ask about the other’s interests and whatnot.

[@Messiisthebest724]

Sometimes you don’t need a huge budget and fancy editing to make a movie awesome or even have big name actors as well

[@TheRoseCat6_11]

i love the director's other movie, Nacho Libre, too! it also has a similar feel to it cant wait to see what he'll cook up in the Minecraft movie

[@dbrandon4528]

Great piece on this movie. Dumb and Dumber and napoleon dynamite are comedy gold.

[@RM-jc1gr]

The greatest capture in all of film history. Almost documentary level. Haha!

[@salty_berserker_channel]

I saw it in a theater, just passing time due to a flight delay. I thought it was pretty bad until I arrived at my destination that next day. Explaining it to a family member made it way more entertaining and I bought this DVD when it came out months later. Now its a family favorite.

[@OceanDreamer59]

We watched this with our teenage daughters when it came out. I hated it, the girls loved it, and their Dad loved it, too. After watching it a few more times, I fell in love with the movie. It's sweet and has a great message. We even bought Vote For Pedro t-shirts for my husband that Xmas, lol.

[@Blibers]

This is my dad's favorite movie so it's got a HUGE soft spot in my heart!

[@CharlesVanNoland]

I caught this in the theater when it came out. I was at a particularly low point in my life, high as hell on oxycontin. I had basically an infinite supply thanks to a recent foray into burglary. I was high all day, and all night, loaded to the gills. I decided to take some friends (who weren't in on my caper) to the theater to see Napoleon Dynamite because the poster looked good to me. Normally, when I'm on painkillers/opiates, stuff doesn't make me laugh much, my sense of humor is numbed severely. However, for whatever reason, I laughed harder than anyone else in the theater - doped to the gills. I laughed until I was streaming tears, in spite of being numbed to the core. Somehow, some way, this movie still managed to touch my soul where it needed it. I couldn't believe that something could make me have so much actual fun while being so blasted out of my mind. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that unique anecdote about Napoleon Dynamite.

[@Mrs.NRalphs]

ND was one of my favorite characters out of many teen movies I’ve seen. I recently met Jon Heder as he lives near by. My nephew and his daughter are in the same class in grade school. He was nice and polite. I hesitate to approach him because I don’t like to bother people but I was too excited impulse won.

[@Lexyvil]

One of my favourite rewatchable comedies!

[@tallsoldier]

Brothers McMullen, Tiny Furniture Clerks, Multi Facial. I am fascinated by these movies where their creators took destiny in their own hands.

[@Crimsonarts2323]

great video!!! ♥♥

[@lmacdonald1281]

So many of us thought this was the Best! And saw it a ton of times. In my community the indie theatre couldn’t show it often or long enough to meet demand.

[@skidart9063]

One of my favorite movies. It's a movie I have re-watched since it came out. I also like eagle vs. Shark which took alot of from Napoleon dynamite

[@DeltaInTheRain]

One of the movies i loved most and still love most

[@christianporter3638]

I got the exact same emotion watching this film the 1st time as "The Room." Which was, TF is this? Some student film or arthouse flick? Upon multiple watches I got it

[@2Nagakibas777]

I grew up in a tiny farm town in Ohio during the early 2000s. This movie always hit home

[@hollynunu8958]

I love love love love this movie!! So many great quotes from this movie

[@MrPapernumberDGG]

I first watched this movie at school. They played it for us multiple times over the years I was there . (K-5) so happy they did.

[@Cbt69420]

I have the same dvd my dad got like 10 years ago it still runs perfectly but it's scratched to hell brings back memories

[@WilderBaton]

Great video!!

[@finnmyers7137]

This is literally my favorite movie ever

[@sawdust8691]

I watched this film so many times growing up. We quote this movie like every other day. Especially "Tina eat the FOOD!" Fun story, i actually saw the high-school and Napoleon's house in this movie on a trip across states. We went a little out of our way to hunt them down 😂.

[@badbenito]

Every time he yells, "Tina, you fat lard!" I think he's talking to Tina Majorino.

[@floretionguru2977]

Oh this movie definitely had an actor I recognized, as he is and was one of my favorite actors: "Lazlo" from Real Genious.

[@SSmith-fm9kg]

still trying to get my mail order time machine to work...

[@jh2519]

First time watching, I was confused the whole time. The second time, I laughed the whole time!

[@OweeGigi]

My kid brother was obsessed with this 10 years after it was released so I got to fall in love with it twice and it still makes me laugh. My entire family has great memories around this movie

[@konamax9]

I’m going to force my children to love this movie as much as I do. I don’t think there is one swear word in the whole movie. So innocent and wholesome. Also extremely relatable.

[@auggiecontreras8068]

I'm 45, so i was about 25 when it came out. I remember i was hanging out with these girls who had seen in twice, and thought it was the best movie ever. I finally saw it at the theater, and utterly loathed it. It probably took a good 8 years before i saw it again. Long story short, I've now seen it 12-15 times, and i absolutely adore this movie.

[@chris8534]

I think the static back drops of mountains and the music don't get enough credit - it's very loony tunes with those super artistic back drawings etc... that gives a sense of being lost and alone

[@MCowie]

I saw this movie in the theatre. It was not until the next day that I understood what happened and started to laugh.

[@thehumblewolf]

Oh wow I thought this was a nerdstolgic video, good job!

[@BugsyFoga]

Now the director is going on to do the Minecraft movie, now that’s stepping up in the world

[@mia_djojowasito_malik]

OMG i was ABSESSED in this film in uni. and when i went to Idaho (not Preston, just Boise & McCall) everybody knew it.

[@djinnxx7050]

You ought get that absess checked out.

[@mahcheeksajiglin6540]

“Your mom goes to college” is still a sick burn.

[@a4a72698]

To this day when I'm ready to do chores for my wife I ask her, 'How can I make your wildest dreams come true?' She loved the movie too which always shocked me.

[@spudkidmandudebro]

The only positive contribution from MTV after music videos died on their channel

[@surfsup5592]

Omg, i forgot about napoleaon dynamite until just now

[@wendyquiroga6197]

My friends and I were in our early twenties when this movie came out. We loved it and quote it all the time! I'm about to turn 43! 🤣😅

[@helpfulcommenter]

i'm same age and hated it. it was trying soooooo hard to appeal to basic idiots who thought anything dorky or retro was funny. it was so forced and affected. most of the people i knew who fawned over this movie were the most personality deprived humorless people i ever knew (no offense)

[@desertrose0601]

I mean… Tina Majorino was light years more well known than Hayley Duff. Even back then. She was a pretty well known child actor back in the day. Already known for some pretty big budget movies by the time this movie came out.

[@ronhoughton5147]

Great movie. Also a fan of Gentlemen Broncos.

[@spencerlenoir6987]

Fine, I'll watch Napoleon Dynamite again

[@markoportuondo7375]

Coming from someone who’s autistic, Napoleon Dynamite is a movie that spoke to me as a middle schooler.

[@msyokoming6970]

3:20 this is just 😂😂

[@13ON3S]

This is a top 10 movie of all time

[@nhdphoto1]

The Uncle was in, "Real Geniuses" and was well known.

[@drumsdotcorndotcomdotorg]

fun fact the liger scene was a VERY subtle joke about the 1995 incident in Lava Hot Springs, ID when some lions, tigers, ligers and hybrid wolves escaped a compound called Ligertown Game Farm.

[@ericMT]

I like how Summer Wheatley is Hillary Duff’s sister. If anyone still knows who that is.

[@gvdude]

Cool subject, feels like a watchmojo video!

[@MaladaptiveDaydreamerr]

One of my teachers loves it.

[@tarancehill651]

Holy shit, til diedrich baders name and that he played rex in Napoleon dynamite.

[@dennismitchell5276]

If you are uncomfortable feeling uncomfortable you won't like this film.

[@ninposkillz]

Great vid. Insta sub.