10 Forgotten Nickelodeon Movies That Deserve Another Look

Nickelodeon is known for many popular shows and movies, but some of its best films have faded from memory. While most people think of Nickelodeon as a cartoon network, the company has actually created a wide range of content – including both animated and live-action movies – that appeals to viewers of all ages.

Nickelodeon first began as a television channel in the 1970s, but it didn’t start making full-length movies until the 1990s with the creation of Nickelodeon Movies. Their first film was Harriet the Spy in 1996, followed by Good Burger starring Kenan and Kel in 1997. From there, they started releasing movies based on their popular cartoon shows and also created entirely new movie series.

The studio has experienced both successes and failures. Films like Paw Patrol: The Movie were popular with viewers, but others, such as Monster Trucks, didn’t perform well. Recent developments with the new Avatar: The Last Airbender project have caused some concern, however, Nickelodeon’s history of producing successful films suggests they have a strong understanding of what works.

Even now, the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise remains Paramount’s most recognizable property. Since its debut in 1999, SpongeBob has become a hugely popular children’s show and continues to release new episodes. Because of its lasting impact, it’s worth taking a closer look at the history behind the brand.

Charlotte’s Web (2006)

The movie Charlotte’s Web beautifully captures the spirit of its era. Dakota Fanning delivers a wonderful performance, and the film boasts an impressive cast of voices, featuring stars like Julia Roberts, Robert Redford, and Oprah Winfrey. It’s a faithful and well-made adaptation of E.B. White’s beloved book.

Despite being a wonderful family movie, Charlotte’s Web didn’t do well in cinemas and has largely been overlooked since its release. It’s a touching story about the special bond between a pig and a spider.

The movie’s animation was impressive for its time and still looks good today. It’s a heartwarming, touching, and easy-to-enjoy film – one of Nickelodeon’s best, and a standout kids’ movie from the 2000s.

Clockstoppers (2002)

Despite receiving a low score of 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, Clockstoppers remains a surprisingly beloved film from Nickelodeon’s early live-action movies. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and produced by Gale Ann Hurd, the story centers around a device that gives people the power to stop time.

I absolutely love how this movie feels – it perfectly captures that early 2000s vibe, and it’s so comforting to watch. Jesse Bradford and Paula Garcés are both really relatable, which makes the story itself even more engaging and satisfying. They really bring the whole thing to life!

Clockstoppers is a fun, lighthearted movie that offers a good look at the kind of entertainment Nickelodeon was creating. It’s held up surprisingly well and remains a strong film in the studio’s overall collection.

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)

It’s surprising how many people now know Jimmy Neutron better from the animated series than from the original 2001 movie. The film was a big success when it came out and is still considered one of Paramount’s most popular movies.

This funny movie takes place in Retroville and follows 10-year-old Jimmy, a brilliant inventor, and his friends. They have to work together to rescue their parents after aliens kidnap them. While the animation isn’t as modern as it once was, the story is still really entertaining and makes up for it.

Jimmy Neutron is a beloved character that many fans would love to see return. While there’s been talk of a new movie – even recently, in 2023 – those plans haven’t materialized yet.

Rugrats In Paris: The Movie (2000)

Turning TV shows into movies can help build a larger franchise, but it often means reaching a smaller audience. Although Rugrats was incredibly popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, interest in the show has faded, which explains why recent movies based on it haven’t attracted much attention.

It’s a shame that Rugrats in Paris didn’t live up to its potential, because it’s actually a really touching and well-made movie. It takes everything that’s great about the cartoon and its characters and builds on it, and the animation is excellent.

As a big fan of the old Nickelodeon movies, I always thought Rugrats in Paris was one of the best! Honestly, even if you’ve never seen the Rugrats TV show, it’s a really great movie and I wish more people talked about it.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

I remember when young adult fantasy was huge in the 2000s! After Harry Potter and Twilight blew up, everyone was trying to adapt those books for the screen. Some, like Percy Jackson and The Chronicles of Narnia, did pretty well, but honestly, a lot of them, like The Spiderwick Chronicles, just didn’t get the attention they deserved.

I really enjoyed this movie, even though it only made a small profit – I honestly think it deserved more! Freddie Highmore was fantastic, and the way it brought the story to life, with that creepy conflict against Mulgarath, was a great adaptation of the books. It truly captured the spirit of the series for a wider audience.

As a big fantasy fan, I was really hoping the Spiderwick Chronicles books would turn into a full movie series, but sadly it didn’t happen. Still, even as a single film, it’s one of the best fantasy movies Nickelodeon ever put out, in my opinion.

Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging (2008)

With a truly unique title, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a funny and charming movie for young teens. It centers around Georgia Nicholson, a 14-year-old who’s trying to navigate the world of dating and find a boyfriend.

This movie, adapted from a popular book series by Gurinda Chadha, really resonates with teenage girls. It tackles the ups and downs of growing up with both humor and genuine emotion. The film also stars a young Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a key role as the character’s crush.

While Angus may not be for everyone, and its title might seem strange to some, it’s a well-made film that remains enjoyable even now.

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (2019)

Although Dora the Explorer is a very popular and long-running children’s show, the movie doesn’t quite live up to expectations. The show is really designed for very young children – preschoolers – and doesn’t have much to entertain kids older than seven or eight.

Unlike many adaptations, the movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold really works. It takes the familiar Dora character and places her in a fun, exciting adventure reminiscent of Indiana Jones, adding humor and heart, and successfully expands the Dora universe.

Despite being a bit puzzling, this film with Isabela Merced has really resonated with people who’ve watched it, and it deserves more recognition. It’s a shame it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)

It’s hard to imagine anyone forgetting a SpongeBob movie, yet the one released in 2004 has largely faded from memory. Over time, the franchise has shifted towards more modern animation – using CGI and combining live-action with animation – while the classic, traditionally animated style is now mostly reserved for the TV series.

When The SpongeBob SquarePants movie first came out, it was a huge hit. However, it’s surprisingly not talked about much anymore, which is a shame because it’s a really funny, sweet, and memorable film.

The movie features fantastic songs like “Now That We’re Men” and “I’m a Goofy Goober,” and many believe they help make this the best SpongeBob movie so far.

Rango (2011)

Though critically acclaimed and cherished by a dedicated fanbase, Rango has largely faded from public memory. While some consider it a modern cult classic, most viewers have forgotten this animated film by Gore Verbinski.

Rango is a funny western film starring a chameleon, and it boasted an impressive voice cast including Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, and Abigail Breslin. The movie even won an Oscar for Best Picture, which it rightfully earned. Unfortunately, without any sequels or related films, Rango was soon largely forgotten.

As a huge movie fan, I always thought Rango was something special, especially coming from Nickelodeon. It felt way more mature than a lot of their other stuff, and honestly, it really stood out. Even now, in 2026, I still think it’s a film everyone should see – it’s packed with references to classic movies and just feels different.

The Adventures Of Tintin (2011)

Originally, The Adventures of Tintin was meant to launch a major partnership between Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Spielberg directed the first movie, with Jackson as producer, and they planned to switch roles for a follow-up film. Because there were so many Tintin comics available, the project had the potential to become a large and successful series.

The movie was fantastic. Excellent voice acting and motion capture, especially from Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell, and Andy Serkis, brought the iconic comic book characters to life with a stunning and original visual style. All of this served as a backdrop for a captivating mystery that kept viewers engaged.

As a huge movie fan, I honestly think Tintin is Nickelodeon’s finest achievement. It’s a real shame it only made $77 million in the US. Considering everything Nickelodeon has put out over the years, and there’s a lot of really good stuff, Tintin is just on another level – it’s a standard other studios should be aiming for, in my opinion.

2026-04-26 16:22