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The Croods: A New Age (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Croods: A New Age (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 95 min · English
Echo score 75
JustWatch #30,615 4
Directed by
Joel Crawford
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Peter Dinklage, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Kelly Marie Tran, Cloris Leachman
Budget
$65M

Seeking a new home, the Croods find what appears to be a perfect paradise, but it’s already occupied by the sophisticated and seemingly superior Bettermans. These two very different families clash as their contrasting lifestyles and values create tension. However, when a common danger emerges, the Croods and the Bettermans must put aside their differences and work together on a thrilling and perilous adventure.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Croods: A New Age (2020)

Where can you watch The Croods: A New Age? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Croods: A New Age Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Croods: A New Age (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Grug

    played by Nicolas Cage

    Grug is the formidable patriarch of the Crood family, grappling with the pressure of being a protective father as he manages the complexities of family dynamics and external threats. His initial distrust of the Bettermans highlights his desire to maintain family unity, but he ultimately shows growth as he learns to adapt to new relationships.

    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Family
    • 💪 Strength
  • Guy

    played by Ryan Reynolds

    Guy is a resourceful and intelligent young man, torn between his developing romance with Eep and his family's expectations. He embodies a bridge between the Croods and the Bettermans, showcasing adaptability and the struggle to find his place within both families.

    • ❤️ Love
    • ⚡ Adaptability
  • Eep

    played by Emma Stone

    Eep is a spirited and adventurous young woman, determined to forge her own identity while balancing her affections for Guy. She challenges traditional boundaries and helps unite the two families during their trials, showcasing strength in her convictions and loyalty to her loved ones.

    • 🌼 Adventure
    • 🔥 Passion
  • Phil Betterman

    played by Peter Dinklage

    Phil Betterman is a modern human showcasing technological advancement and a sense of superiority. His manipulative tactics aimed at Guy create conflict within the story, but he ultimately learns to appreciate the Croods as equals through shared challenges.

    • 🤔 Manipulation
    • 💡 Progress
  • Hope Betterman

    played by Leslie Mann

    Hope is Phil's partner, initially displaying condescension towards the Croods but gradually learning the value of collaboration and equality. Her transformation from bias to acceptance illustrates the theme of growth through shared adversity.

    • 🌟 Growth
    • 💞 Acceptance

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

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Setting

Where and When Does The Croods: A New Age Take Place?

The setting of The Croods: A New Age (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events occur in a prehistoric time, where early humans are navigating their survival amidst the challenges posed by nature and other creatures. Technological advancements are rudimentary, enhancing the contrast between the Croods and the more modern Bettermans.

Location

paradise-like realm, icy wasteland

The movie primarily takes place in a paradise-like realm, which forms a sharp contrast to the Croods' previous nomadic lifestyle. This idyllic setting is characterized by modern amenities and a peaceful atmosphere, disrupted by the tension introduced by the Bettermans. Additionally, the icy wasteland they traverse later is filled with dangers, including wolf spiders, showcasing the extreme conditions the characters must face.

  • 🏞️ Paradise
  • ❄️ Icy Wasteland

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

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3 major themes

The Croods: A New Age Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Croods: A New Age (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love and Loyalty

    The theme of love and loyalty is central to the film, particularly illustrated through the budding romance between Guy and Eep. Their relationship faces challenges both from family dynamics and external influences, highlighting the struggle to balance personal desires with familial obligations. Ultimately, their journey reinforces the importance of loyalty to one another amidst evolving circumstances.

  • Unity and Collaboration

    As the Croods and Bettermans navigate their differences, the theme of unity and collaboration emerges prominently. The characters learn to overcome their biases and preconceived notions, forming an alliance that allows them to confront greater threats together. This newfound bond signifies the power of working together to triumph over adversity.

  • Survival and Adaptation

    Survival and adaptation are prevalent themes, as the characters must continuously navigate various hazards while adapting to new environments. The emergence of the Punch Monkeys and the struggles against nature display the need for resilience and ingenuity to overcome challenges that threaten their existence.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

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Character & theme questions

The Croods: A New Age Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Croods: A New Age (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the story take place?

The story primarily takes place in a paradise-like walled realm that contrasts sharply with the Croods' previous nomadic existence. This setting features modern amenities and a peaceful atmosphere. The characters also traverse an icy wasteland filled with dangers like wolf spiders, showcasing the extreme conditions they must overcome.

  • setting
  • paradise
  • walled realm
  • location
  • icy wasteland
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The movie is set in prehistoric times, when early humans were navigating survival amid natural challenges and creatures. This ancient setting enhances the contrast between the Croods, who live more primitively, and the Bettermans, who have developed more advanced technology and a modern lifestyle.

  • prehistoric
  • time period
  • era
  • ancient times
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The movie explores three major themes. Love and Loyalty centers on the developing romance between Guy and Eep and the challenge of balancing personal desires with family obligations. Unity and Collaboration shows how two very different families overcome their biases to work together against common threats. Survival and Adaptation highlights the characters' resilience as they navigate new environments and dangers.

  • themes
  • love
  • loyalty
  • unity
  • collaboration
  • survival
  • adaptation
Q4

Who are the Croods family members?

The Croods are a prehistoric family consisting of Grug (the patriarch), his wife, and their children including Eep. They represent a traditional, close-knit family unit that has survived through instinct and caution. Grug is particularly focused on protecting his family, which sometimes makes him wary of outsiders and new experiences.

  • croods
  • family
  • characters
  • Grug
  • Eep
Q5

Who are the Bettermans and how are they different from the Croods?

The Bettermans consist of Phil Betterman and his partner Hope, who live in a sophisticated walled paradise. Unlike the Croods, they have developed advanced technology and a more modern lifestyle. Phil is manipulative and views himself as superior, while Hope initially shows condescension toward the Croods but learns to appreciate collaboration.

  • bettermans
  • Phil
  • Hope
  • family
  • differences
Q6

Who is Guy and what is his role?

Guy is a resourceful and intelligent young man voiced by Ryan Reynolds who serves as a bridge between the Croods and Bettermans families. He develops a romance with Eep while struggling to find his place between both families and their conflicting values. His adaptability and intelligence make him essential to surviving the film's challenges.

  • Guy
  • character
  • Eep
  • romance
  • bridge
Q7

Who is Eep and what defines her character?

Eep is Grug's daughter, a spirited and adventurous young woman voiced by Emma Stone. She is determined to forge her own identity and challenges traditional boundaries within her family. Her relationship with Guy helps unite the two families, and she demonstrates strength of conviction and loyalty to her loved ones throughout their journey.

  • Eep
  • character
  • daughter
  • adventurous
  • independence
Q8

What does the walled paradise represent in the story?

The walled paradise represents an ideal safe haven that initially seems perfect but ultimately proves limiting. It symbolizes the tension between security and growth, as the Bettermans have chosen to wall themselves away from the dangers of the outside world, while the Croods represent those who must continuously adapt to survive.

  • paradise
  • walled garden
  • safety
  • isolation
  • growth
Q9

What is the significance of the icy wasteland?

The icy wasteland serves as a dangerous proving ground that tests the characters' survival skills and forces them to work together. It is filled with threats like wolf spiders, representing the external dangers that exist beyond the safety of the walled paradise. This harsh environment ultimately brings the Croods and Bettermans closer together.

  • icy wasteland
  • danger
  • wolves
  • spiders
  • survival
  • challenge
Q10

What does the movie say about family and relationships?

The movie emphasizes that family unity requires flexibility and acceptance of change. Grug learns that protecting his family means allowing them to grow and form new bonds, rather than keeping them isolated. The story shows that true family strength comes from accepting differences and working together through shared challenges.

  • family
  • unity
  • acceptance
  • growth
  • relationships

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Croods: A New Age, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Croods: A New Age tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about clashing cultures and united families like The Croods: A New Age

Two very different groups must overcome their prejudices to survive a common threat. If you enjoyed the clash between the Croods and Bettermans in 'The Croods: A New Age,' you'll like these movies. Discover similar family-friendly adventures and comedies where different groups overcome their initial conflicts through teamwork, leading to exciting stories about finding common ground.

  • family-friendly
  • humorous
  • adventurous
  • heartwarming
  • teamwork
  • optimistic
  • Tone: light, humorous, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with two distinct groups—often families, tribes, or communities—coming into contact. Their differing values and lifestyles create immediate, often humorous, friction. A sudden, larger threat forces them to set aside their squabbles, revealing that their unique strengths are complementary. The story climaxes with a cooperative effort that solidifies their newfound respect and unity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'enemy-to-ally' narrative arc applied to family or community dynamics. They balance comedic conflict with action-driven stakes and consistently deliver a positive, uplifting message about the power of collaboration over competition.

Fast-paced chaotic family adventures like The Croods: A New Age

Fast-paced, humorous journeys where a eccentric family faces wild obstacles. Looking for more movies with the hilarious, high-energy vibe of 'The Croods: A New Age'? This list features similar animated family films known for their chaotic action, eccentric characters, and feel-good humor, perfect for fans of non-stop fun and adventure.

  • chaotic
  • humorous
  • energetic
  • family-friendly
  • adventurous
  • slapstick
  • Tone: light, whimsical, energetic
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories follow a core, often unconventional, family as they are thrust into a series of escalating, comedic events. The plot is driven by the family's unique dynamics and their reactive, frequently chaotic, way of solving problems. The narrative prioritizes gags, visual humor, and thrilling set pieces, all while reinforcing the unbreakable, if sometimes messy, bonds of family.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their primary goal of delivering constant, lighthearted entertainment. They share a fast pace, a high humor score, a focus on family-centric characters, and a tone that is consistently optimistic and energetic, making the viewing experience exhilarating and fun.

Every angle

The Croods: A New Age (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Croods: A New Age in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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