The Emperor's New Groove

Play trailer

The Emperor's New Groove

G

2000

1h 20m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor -- the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha. Together, they must return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Emperor's New Groove isn't the most ambitious animated film, but its brisk pace, fresh characters, and big laughs make for a great time for the whole family.

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Aug 3, 2010

4/5

More fun, goofy cartoon antics than Disney polish.

Go to Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Nov 16, 2009

Ingenious action sequences driven by surprisingly little plot lead to a climax full of the transmogrification animation was invented for.

Go to Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Sep 8, 2008

Emperor doesn't aim too high or strain too hard; it is at ease inhabiting its pretty, miniature realm.

Go to Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Jan 5, 2026

Even the most risk-averse, anxiety-possessing children can look at this film and giggle because the film takes Kuzco’s evolution seriously and nothing else, making all the dangerous obstacles and deadly plots farcical and hilarious.

Go to Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Dec 9, 2025

4.5/5

Driven by terrific voice work and clever humor, The Emperor’s New Groove proves why it became a cult classic audiences still adore.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Jan 17, 2025

4/10

There’s a certain hipness and modernness to the characters and their conversations, providing a curious contrast to the ancient Incan setting, but it’s not enough to set it apart as a notable project.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

norriskeel

Jan 24, 2021

still funny after all these years my step son actually sat through the whole thing amazing

See more

Oliver R

@RT04842484 3 days ago

In a time when mad writers were allowed to construct the most fantastical nonsense, this box-office bomb was sad pudding-proof that 'this is why we can't have nice things'. The minutia time jokes about politics, food & infrastructure etc, are as smart and original as anything I've seen. But it's the dichotomous relationships between Cusko and Goodman, as well as Gronk and Yzma that really bring this film home. BOOM BABY!

See more

Stephen C

@dogfood23111 Sep 29, 2026

The worldwide gross is $169,707,314.00 over a production budget of $100,000,000.00. Profit of $69,707,314.00.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 10, 2026

The Emperor"s New Groove = A 4.5 star Movie...

See more

Everett S

@RT21092830 Aug 29, 2026

My favorite animated movie

See more

Ry N

@RyGuy Jul 26, 2026

Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama in an assassination attempt by Yzma trying to take his throne. This is a Disney classic with kind of a Hercules style.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Mark Dindal

Director

David Spade

Kuzco (Emperor)

John Goodman

Pacha (Llama Herder)

Eartha Kitt

Yzma

Patrick Warburton

Kronk

Wendie Malick

Pacha's Wife

Kronk's New Groove

0%

46%

Kronk's New Groove

Watchlist

Stitch! The Movie

20%

49%

Stitch! The Movie

Watchlist

Chicken Little

36%

47%

Chicken Little

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Chicken Little

A Goofy Movie

64%

71%

A Goofy Movie

Watchlist

Doug's 1st Movie

26%

28%

Doug's 1st Movie

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in September

The Crown, The Emperor’s New Groove, Grosse Pointe Blank, and More Available to Stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime

Trailer Bulletin: When a Stranger Calls

View more photos

Synopsis

Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor -- the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha. Together, they must return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off.

Director: Mark Dindal
Producer: Randy Fullmer
Screenwriter: David Reynolds
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $89.6M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings