The Croods: A New Age (2020) – Movie Summary 🎬

The Croods: A New Age is the delightful and heartwarming sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2013 hit The Croods, directed by Joel Crawford. This animated adventure continues the story of the prehistoric Crood family as they navigate a new world filled with strange creatures, hidden dangers, and unexpected challenges. Packed with humor, colorful visuals, and emotional depth, the film is a perfect follow-up to the original, offering plenty of laughs while exploring themes of family, growth, and change.

The film picks up shortly after the events of the first movie. The Croods—led by the overprotective and loving father, Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), his supportive wife, Ugga (Catherine Keener), their teenage daughter Eep (Emma Stone), the curious young son Sandy (Kailey Crawford), and their elderly mother-in-law, Gran (Cloris Leachman)—are still searching for a new home in the dangerous, wild landscape they inhabit. While they are used to surviving in a harsh, untamed world, they’re constantly challenged by new obstacles, particularly the unknown dangers that come with evolving environments.

When they discover a hidden paradise—a lush, walled-in area that seems like the perfect place for them to settle—they encounter the Bettermans—a more evolved, self-sufficient family who live in this secluded utopia. The Bettermans are everything the Croods are not: they’re technologically advanced, modern, and have a much more organized way of life. They include Phil (Will Ferrell), the optimistic patriarch; his intelligent and pragmatic wife, Hope (Rachel Brosnahan); and their daughter, Dawn (Kelly Marie Tran), a self-absorbed but kind-hearted young woman who forms a bond with Eep.

The contrast between the two families is immediately apparent: the Bettermans are more refined, with all the comforts of a “new age” lifestyle, while the Croods are rough around the edges, constantly improvising and adapting to their environment in creative, chaotic ways. This clash of lifestyles leads to comedic situations, as the Croods try to adapt to the Bettermans’ new-fangled ideas, while the Bettermans try to understand the Croods’ wild and unstructured approach to life.

As the two families try to coexist in the shared space, tensions rise. Eep and Dawn find themselves vying for attention and approval from their respective families, while Grug’s insecurities about being the protector of his family surface. The film humorously explores generational differences, with the Croods having to learn to accept change, while the Bettermans must realize the value of spontaneity, flexibility, and the bonds that hold a family together.

The stakes rise when a new danger threatens both families. A mysterious and dangerous species, the Tertle, makes an appearance, forcing the Croods and Bettermans to team up to survive the ultimate test of family unity. This shared challenge becomes a turning point, as the two families begin to learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, realizing that both the old and new ways of life have something valuable to offer.

The Croods: A New Age explores themes of family dynamics, self-acceptance, and growth. It celebrates the idea that every family is unique and that, despite our differences, we can all learn to support and love one another. The film also highlights the importance of embracing change and adapting to new situations, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

The animation is vibrant and visually stunning, with detailed backgrounds that bring the fantastical prehistoric world to life, including colorful creatures and breathtaking landscapes. The character designs are charming and expressive, adding to the film’s humor and emotional resonance. The action sequences are fast-paced and full of energy, keeping both kids and adults entertained throughout.

The voice cast delivers excellent performances, with Nicolas Cage once again bringing his comedic charm to Grug, while Emma Stone’s portrayal of Eep is full of energy and heart. Will Ferrell and Rachel Brosnahan add a delightful touch as the Bettermans, perfectly capturing the characters’ differences from the Croods.

The Croods: A New Age is an enjoyable and fun-filled sequel that not only delivers plenty of laughs but also offers a meaningful message about change, acceptance, and the importance of family. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and stunning animation, it’s a perfect family movie that both kids and adults can enjoy together.