Taglines: Best of Enemies. Worst of Friends.
Tom and Jerry is a live-action/animated hybrid that takes place in a world in which all animals are animated but all humans are real. But the film barely explores this dynamic in favor of centering a New Yorker named Kayla (Chloë Grace Moretz), who basically cons her way into a hospitality job at a fancy Big Apple hotel the week before a high-profile wedding there between household names Ben (Colin Jost) and Preeta (Pallavi Sharda).
As the planning for the wedding gets underway, Kayla discovers that Jerry has taken up residence at the hotel, and so she hires his mortal enemy Tom to take care of the singular infestation before all eyes are on them. Her boss Mr. Dubros (Rob Delaney) supports Kayla but co-worker Terence (Michael Peña) is eager to take down the newcomer … just because. Ken Jeong plays the hotel chef. You’ve been warned.
About the Production
Tom and Jerry (marketed as Tom & Jerry: The Movie) is a 2021 American live-action/computer-animated slapstick comedy film based on the titular cartoon characters of the same name created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, produced by the Warner Animation Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
It is the second theatrical film based on the characters following 1992’s Tom and Jerry: The Movie. The film follows Tom teaming up with a young employee named Kayla to exterminate Jerry, a mouse who takes refuge in New York City’s fanciest hotel, before his presence threatens the hotel and its important wedding set to take place on the hotel grounds.
The film is directed by Tim Story and written by Kevin Costello.[6] It stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney, Pallavi Sharda, Jordan Bolger, Patsy Ferran, and Ken Jeong in live-action roles, with Nicky Jam, Bobby Cannavale, and Lil Rel Howery in voice roles. The titular characters are voiced by William Hanna, Mel Blanc and June Foray via archival recordings, alongside Frank Welker, Kaiji Tang and André Sogliuzzo (though the characters are listed as themselves in the credits).
Originally announced as a live-action/computer-animated film in 2009, the film languished in development hell for several years. Plans eventually shifted to producing an entirely animated film, in the same vein as the original theatrical shorts, in 2015. The film again became a live-action/animated hybrid in 2018, with animation produced by the Warner Animation Group, and filming beginning in 2019.
Tom & Jerry was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United States on February 26, 2021, along with a one-month simultaneous streaming release on HBO Max. It received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the human characters and screenplay, but credited the film for its nostalgic feel and animation. It has also grossed over $127 million on a $79 million budget.
Box-Office Results
As of July 18, 2021, Tom & Jerry has grossed $46 million in the United States and Canada, and $81.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $127.1 million. In the United States and Canada, the film grossed $4 million from 2,479 theaters on its first day of release. It went on to debut to $14.1 million, the second-best opening weekend of the pandemic behind Warner Bros.’s December release Wonder Woman 1984 ($16.4 million).
The opening weekend audiences were 51% female and 46% under the age of 17, while 35% was Hispanic, 33% Caucasian, 21% African American, and 11% Asian. David Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, said of the figure: “With half of theaters still closed, the pandemic still a threat, and Tom & Jerry available at home, this is a very good opening.” In its second weekend the film grossed $6.6 million and in its third made $4 million, finishing second behind newcomer Raya and the Last Dragon both times.
The film was initially released in seven international markets, grossing $1.45 million; Singapore led with $457,000. By its second weekend of international release the film was playing in 16 markets, including debuting at number one in Brazil ($746,000) and Mexico ($395,000).
Tom and Jerry (2021)
Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney, Pallavi Sharda, Jordan Bolger, Patsy Ferran, Ken Jeong, Camilla Arfwedson, Janis Ahern, Jude Coward Nicoll
Screenplay by: Kevin Costello
Production Design by: James Hambidge
Cinematography by: Alan Stewart
Film Editing by: Peter S. Elliot
Costume Design by: Alison McCosh
Set Decoration by: Niamh Coulter
Art Direction by: David Allday, Peter Dorme, Gregory Fangeaux
Music by: Christopher Lennertz
MPAA Rating: PG for cartoon violence, rude humor and brief language.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: February 10, 2021 (International), February 26, 2021 (United States)
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