For a lot of kids growing up in the early 2000s, the idea of getting revenge on bullies before moving away was a fantasy straight out of a movie. In 2001, that fantasy became Max Keeble’s Big Move, a lighthearted comedy that still sparks debates about its message and its enduring nostalgia.

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Release Date: October 5, 2001 ·
Director: Tim Hill ·
Budget: $25 million ·
Box Office: $18.6 million ·
Runtime: 86 minutes ·
MPAA Rating: PG

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The table below distills the essential data points about the film into a single reference view for quick comparison.

Key facts about Max Keeble’s Big Move
Release Date October 5, 2001
Director Tim Hill
Runtime 86 minutes
MPAA Rating PG
Budget $25 million
Box Office $18.6 million
IMDb Rating 5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) 29%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) 53%

What is Max Keeble’s Big Move?

What is the plot of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

The film follows Max Keeble, a seventh-grader who discovers his family is moving at the end of the semester. After years of being bullied by the tyrannical principal Jindraike and a gang of schoolyard thugs, Max decides to take revenge on everyone who has wronged him. But when his family’s move falls through, he must face the consequences of his actions. According to IMDb (film database), the story balances slapstick comedy with a coming-of-age lesson about integrity.

Who is in the cast of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

  • Alex D. Linz as Max Keeble
  • Larry Miller as Principal Elliot T. Jindraike
  • Jamie Kennedy as the Evil Ice Cream Man
  • Zena Grey as Megan
  • Josh Peck as Robe
  • Nora Dunn as Lily Keeble
  • Robert Carradine as Donald Keeble
  • Tony Hawk and Lil’ Romeo in cameo roles (Vietnamese Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

When was Max Keeble’s Big Move released?

Multiple sources confirm a theatrical release date of October 5, 2001. IMDb (film database) and Moviefone (movie guide) both cite that date, while Wikidata (structured data hub) lists it as 2001-10-05.

Why this matters

Released just after 9/11, the film arrived at a time when family audiences were turning to lighthearted escapism. The timing of its release may help explain why it underperformed at the box office despite a solid young cast.

The pattern: the release date is one of the most consistently verified facts across industry sources, giving readers a reliable anchor for the film’s timeline.

Is Max Keeble’s Big Move a good movie?

What is the critical reception of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Critics were largely unimpressed. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) reports a Tomatometer score of 29% based on 56 reviews, with an average rating of 4.31/10. The consensus describes it as “forgettable family fare.”

What is the audience rating for Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Audiences were more forgiving: the Rotten Tomatoes audience score sits at 53%. IMDb (film database) users give it a 5.3/10, indicating a mixed but somewhat warmer reception from general viewers.

“Max Keeble’s Big Move is a harmless but formulaic comedy that will amuse younger viewers while leaving older ones indifferent.”

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

“A lighthearted story about standing up for yourself, wrapped in early-2000s Disney charm.”

IMDb Plot Summary

The critics saw it as disposable; audiences remember it fondly from childhood. The film’s 29% Tomatometer versus 53% audience score is a common split for kids’ comedies that age into nostalgia.

How much money did Max Keeble’s Big Move make?

What was the budget of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Moviefone (movie guide) states the production budget was $25 million.

What was the box office gross of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Worldwide gross totaled $18.6 million, meaning the film did not recoup its budget in theaters. IMDb (film database) confirms the figure, marking it a financial disappointment for Disney.

The trade-off

Disney spent $25 million on production but earned back only 74% of that at the box office. For a family film, the gap is wide enough that studio executives likely shelved any sequel plans.

The implication: the financial underperformance directly impacted the film’s franchise potential, leaving Max Keeble as a one-off rather than a series.

Is Max Keeble’s Big Move a kids movie?

What is the age rating for Max Keeble’s Big Move?

The MPAA rating is PG for “some mild language and bullying,” as listed by Moviefone (movie guide). Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) lists it as rated G, but this appears to be a classification error — multiple other sources show PG.

What is the moral of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

The film’s central message is about the cost of revenge and the value of honesty. Max learns that avoiding consequences doesn’t solve problems — facing bullies with courage and truth is the real path to respect.

The upshot

For parents of 8-to-12-year-olds, the film offers a usable conversation starter on bullying and accountability — albeit wrapped in silly gags and a slapstick finale.

What this means: the moral resonates strongest with the pre-teen demographic, matching the intended audience and giving the film its lasting educational value.

How does Max Keeble’s Big Move end?

What happens at the end of Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Max’s parents decide not to move, leaving him to face the fallout of his revenge schemes. He ultimately confesses his actions to the principal and his friends, choosing honesty over hiding. The film closes with Max gaining confidence and standing up to Principal Jindraike, saving the animal shelter from demolition.

How old was Max Keeble in the movie?

Max is a seventh-grader, typically 12 years old. Actor Alex D. Linz was 12 at the time of filming, matching the character’s age.

Max’s age is central to the movie’s appeal — he’s old enough to scheme but still young enough to learn a lesson. That sweet spot makes the film relatable for pre-teens navigating their own middle school dramas.

Additional sources

roku.com, en.wikipedia.org, es.wikipedia.org, primevideo.com, ru.wikipedia.org

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Frequently asked questions

How long is Max Keeble’s Big Move?

The runtime is 86 minutes (1 hour 26 minutes), per Moviefone (movie guide) and Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).

Where was Max Keeble’s Big Move filmed?

Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, California, though specific locations are not widely documented.

What studio produced Max Keeble’s Big Move?

It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and released by Buena Vista Pictures. (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))

Is Max Keeble’s Big Move available on DVD?

Yes, it was released on DVD and Blu-ray. Digital purchase options are available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. (JustWatch (streaming guide))

Who wrote the screenplay for Max Keeble’s Big Move?

The screenplay was written by David L. Watts, James Greer, Jonathan Bernstein, and Mark Blackwell. (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))

What is the age recommendation for Max Keeble’s Big Move?

Common Sense Media rates it for ages 8+ due to mild bullying and name-calling.

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