What The Croods: A New Age is about
The story of The Croods: A New Age picks up where the first film left off—though you don't need to remember much from 2013 to jump in. The Croods, still searching for a permanent home after their previous adventure, stumble upon what looks like paradise: a walled-in sanctuary bursting with lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and endless fruit. Sounds perfect, right? The catch is they're not alone. Enter the Bettermans, a family that's apparently a couple of evolutionary steps ahead on the ladder, and whose idea of "roughing it" is wildly different from the Croods' survival-at-all-costs mentality. What starts as an awkward encounter between these two clans—one scrappy and chaotic, the other buttoned-up and civilized—becomes something far more urgent when a mysterious threat forces them to set aside their differences. It's the kind of setup that works because it's honest about family friction while keeping things light and playful.
Behind the making of The Croods: A New Age
Director Joel Crawford steered this sequel through production at DreamWorks Animation, assembling a voice cast that knew exactly how to handle both the comedy and the heart. Nicolas Cage returns as the gruff patriarch Grug, while Emma Stone reprises her role as his adventurous daughter Eep—and their dynamic is one of the film's strongest anchors. Ryan Reynolds joined as Guy, the family's adopted member, bringing his trademark comedic timing to prehistoric life. Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, and Clark Duke round out the returning cast, with Leslie Mann stepping in as the Betterman matriarch.
The film arrived in November 2020, a moment when cinemas were desperate for family content, and it found its audience both in theaters and later on streaming platforms. Box office numbers totaled $58.5 million worldwide—solid for an animated sequel released during pandemic uncertainty. The picture earned a PG rating and runs 95 minutes, making it digestible for younger viewers without feeling rushed. What's striking is the film's 31 award nominations, a testament to DreamWorks' commitment to craft, even in what could've been a cynical cash-grab sequel. The Metascore sits at 56, while Rotten Tomatoes critics awarded it 76%, a "Fresh" rating that suggests the film connected with reviewers in ways that transcended the typical animated-sequel formula.
Why The Croods: A New Age stands out
There's something genuinely winning about how this film doesn't pretend the Croods and Bettermans are going to instantly get along. The tension is real—Grug's protective instinct clashes with the Bettermans' more refined sensibilities, and that friction generates actual laughs instead of just surface-level gags. What makes The Croods: A New Age work is its willingness to let characters be flawed and stubborn before they learn to appreciate each other. The animation itself deserves mention; the 3D environments are bold and imaginative, with a color palette that feels almost tropical despite the prehistoric setting. You're not watching a film that's trying to be photorealistic—it's admiring, adoring its own exaggerated world, and that confidence is infectious.
The voice performances carry real weight. Cage's Grug isn't just a comedic caveman; there's genuine paternal anxiety underneath the bluster. Stone's Eep feels like an actual teenager caught between her father's worldview and her own curiosity. Reynolds' Guy serves as the bridge between the two families, and his delivery—quick, self-aware, often self-deprecating—prevents the whole thing from becoming saccharine. What I keep coming back to is how the film doesn't talk down to kids. It trusts them to understand family dynamics, compromise, and even the occasional moment of real peril. The action sequences are enthusiastic without being chaotic; there's a clarity to how the filmmakers stage set pieces so you can actually follow what's happening. That's rarer than you'd think in animated films aimed at younger audiences.
Where to stream The Croods: A New Age
If you're looking to watch The Croods: A New Age, you'll find it currently available on Netflix, which has become the home for many DreamWorks titles in recent years. The film's 95-minute runtime makes it perfect for a weekend family viewing session—not so long that attention spans waver, but substantial enough to feel like a real adventure. Movie OTT tracks current streaming availability across platforms, so you can check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page to confirm it's still on Netflix in your region, since streaming rights do shift. The film's colorful visuals and energetic pacing translate well to home screens, though if you have access to a 4K setup, the 3D animation really pops. It's the kind of movie that rewards a slightly larger display—you'll want to see those lush environments in all their glory.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is The Croods: A New Age a sequel, and do I need to watch the first film?
Yes, it's the sequel to The Croods (2013), but you don't need to have seen the original to enjoy this one. The film works as a standalone adventure, though longtime fans will appreciate the callbacks and character development.
Q: Who directed The Croods: A New Age?
Joel Crawford directed the film, working with screenwriters Paul Fisher, Bob Logan, and Dan and Kevin Hageman to craft the story.
Q: What's the runtime and rating?
The Croods: A New Age runs 95 minutes and is rated PG, making it appropriate for most family audiences.
Q: Where can I watch The Croods: A New Age?
The film is currently streaming on Netflix. Check the Movie OTT streaming widget to confirm availability in your region.
Q: What's the critical reception?
The film earned a 76% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a Metascore of 56, and an IMDb rating of 6.9/10 based on over 60,000 votes—generally positive marks for an animated sequel.
Final thoughts on The Croods: A New Age
Here's the thing: this sequel didn't need to exist, and yet it does, and it's genuinely entertaining. It's not groundbreaking cinema, but it's a film that understands its audience and respects their intelligence. The Croods: A New Age works because it pairs comedy with real character stakes, wraps everything in eye-popping animation, and doesn't overstay its welcome. If you're hunting for something the whole family can enjoy without feeling like you're sacrificing your own entertainment, this is a solid pick. Stream it on Netflix, settle in, and let yourself get swept up in the chaos. It's joyous, it's bold, and it's exactly what animated family entertainment should be.
