# Diary of a Wimpy Kid (film series)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a series of family comedy films based on the book series of the same name by Jeff Kinney. It consists of four live action films and three animated films.

## Films

| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Producer(s) |
| Live-action (20th Century Fox) films |||||
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid | March 19, 2010 (2010-03-19) | Thor Freudenthal | Jeff Filgo, Jeff Judah, Gabe Sachs & Jackie Filgo | Brad Simpson & Nina Jacobson |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | March 25, 2011 (2011-03-25) | David Bowers | Jeff Judah & Gabe Sachs | Brad Simpson & Nina Jacobson |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days | August 3, 2012 (2012-08-3) | David Bowers | Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky | Brad Simpson & Nina Jacobson |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul | May 19, 2017 (2017-05-19) | David Bowers | Jeff Kinney & David Bowers | Brad Simpson & Nina Jacobson |
| Animated (Walt Disney Pictures) films |||||
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid | December 3, 2021 (2021-12-3) | Swinton Scott | Jeff Kinney | Jeff Kinney |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | December 2, 2022 (2022-12-2) | Luke Cormican | Jeff Kinney | Jeff Kinney |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever | December 8, 2023 (2023-12-8) | Luke Cormican | Jeff Kinney | Jeff Kinney |

### Live-action films
#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)

Principal production began on September 21, 2009, and was completed on October 16, 2009. The film was directed by Thor Freudenthal and starred Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Robert Capron as Rowley Jefferson, Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley, Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley, Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley, Connor and Owen Fielding as Manny Heffley, Chloë Grace Moretz as Angie Steadman, Grayson Russell as Fregley, Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell, and Karan Brar as Chirag Gupta. It was the only film in the series to be directed by Freudenthal. The musical score was composed by Theodore Shapiro. It received mixed reviews from critics. It was released on March 19, 2010, as it moved up from a previously scheduled April 2 release date.

#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)

Based on the second book, Rodrick Rules, with elements from The Last Straw. Principal photography began on August 23, 2010, and was completed on October 27, 2010, with filming taking place in Vancouver and New Westminster. The film was directed by David Bowers, with Zachary Gordon reprising his role as Greg Heffley. New main characters include Holly Hills (Peyton List), Grandpa (Terence Kelly), and Bill Walter (Fran Kranz). Edward Shearmur composes the original score for the film. It also received mixed reviews from critics. It was released on March 25, 2011.

#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012)

Based on the third book The Last Straw and the fourth book Dog Days, the film was directed by David Bowers and features the same familiar cast of characters, introducing a few new ones, and also focusing on lesser characters not elaborated on in previous films, including Frank Heffley (Steve Zahn), Mr. Jefferson (Alf Humphreys) and Holly Hills (Peyton List). The film is the last one to feature the original cast, as they had outgrown their roles after filming wrapped. It also received mixed reviews from critics. It was released on August 3, 2012.

#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017)

Featuring an entirely new cast, the plot follows Greg and his brother, Rodrick, unwillingly being taken on a family road trip to their great-grandmother's house for her 90th birthday party. Greg sees this as an opportunity to meet his Internet idol, Mac Digby, and get people to forget about him being dubbed as a meme known as "Diaper Hands". The film was panned by critics and audiences, with most of the criticism aimed at the casting change. It was released on May 19, 2017.

### Animated reboot films
#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)

In August 2018, 20th Century Fox CEO Stacey Snider announced that a fully animated television series based on Diary of a Wimpy Kid was in development. On August 6, 2019, after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, the project was confirmed to be still in development for their streaming service, Disney+.
In December 2020, the project was confirmed to have been redeveloped as an animated film. On September 2, 2021, Disney officially confirmed that the new movie would be simply titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and would be released on December 3, 2021. The movie is a re-adaptation of the first book and the characters appear similar in design to their appearances in the book series. The first trailer was officially released in October 2021. Unlike the previous films, which were produced by 20th Century Fox, this film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures, although it was originally in production at 20th Century Animation.

#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022)

On October 23, 2021, ahead of the first film's release, Jeff Kinney revealed that sequels are already in development. For Disney+ Day, Kinney revealed that the sequel, based on Rodrick Rules, was released on December 2, 2022. Unlike the first animated film, a copyright notice at the end of the trailer indicates that 20th Century Studios has involvement in the film.

#### Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023)

On September 8, 2023, it was announced that a Disney+ film based on the sixth book, Cabin Fever, released on December 8, 2023.

#### Future

Jeff Kinney stated that he intends to adapt all his books into animated features for Disney+.

## Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown short film

An animated short film set after the events of the third film, titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown, was included on the home media release of Dog Days in 2012. The short is told through Greg's point-of-view as he explains his humorous experience and why he deserves the title of Class Clown. Zachary Gordon reprises his role as Greg Heffley along with other cast members voicing their characters from the films in minor roles.

## Canceled TV special

In 2012, Jeff Kinney, the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, announced the possibility for an animated film to be based on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever as the next installment. In an interview for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, Kinney stated he was working with FOX on a half-hour special based on Cabin Fever, which was scheduled to air in late-2014. The special was meant to be an animated production developed at 20th Century Fox Animation, and had begun development while Kinney worked on the live-action films. Nothing regarding the special ever materialized. A separate adaptation was eventually released in 2023 as Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever.

## Recurring cast and characters

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.
* An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
* $^E$ indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
* $^O$ indicates an older version of the character.
* $^U$ indicates an uncredited appearance.
* $^V$ indicates a voice-only role.
* $^Y$ indicates a younger version of the character.
* $^S$ indicates an appearance as a character's singing voice.
| Character | Live-action films | Live-action films | Live-action films | Live-action films | Short film | Animated films | Animated films | Animated films |
| Character | Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown | Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever |
| Primary cast |||||||||
| Gregory "Greg" Heffley | Zachary GordonNathaniel MartenDylan BellL.J. Benet | Zachary Gordon | Zachary Gordon | Jason Drucker | Zachary Gordon | Brady Noon | Brady Noon | Wesley Kimmel |
| Rowley Jefferson | Robert Capron | Robert Capron | Robert Capron | Owen Asztalos | Robert Capron | Ethan William Childress | Ethan William Childress | Spencer Howell |
| Rodrick Heffley | Devon Bostick | Devon BostickConner Ingram | Devon Bostick | Charlie Wright | Devon Bostick | Hunter Dillon | Hunter Dillon | Hunter Dillon |
| Susan Heffley | Rachael Harris | Rachael Harris | Rachael Harris | Alicia Silverstone | Appeared | Erica Cerra | Erica Cerra | Erica Cerra |
| Frank Heffley | Steve Zahn | Steve Zahn | Steve Zahn | Tom Everett Scott | Steve Zahn | Chris Diamantopoulos | Chris Diamantopoulos | Chris Diamantopoulos |
| Manny Heffley | Connor and Owen Fielding | Connor and Owen Fielding | Connor and Owen Fielding | Wyatt and Dylan Walters | Appeared | Gracen Newton | Gracen Newton | Gracen Newton |
| Sweetie | | | Oliver | | Appeared | | | |
| Supporting cast |||||||||
| Chirag Gupta | Karan Brar | Karan Brar | Karan Brar | | | Veda Maharaj | Silent cameo | |
| Fregley | Grayson Russell | Grayson Russell | Grayson Russell | | | Christian Convery | Silent cameo | Christian Convery |
| Patty Farrell | Laine MacNeilMadison Bell | Laine MacNeil | Laine MacNeil | | | | Silent cameo | |
| Coach | Andrew McNee | Andrew McNee | Andrew McNee | | | Billy Lopez | | |
| Mr. Jefferson | Alfred E. Humphreys | Alfred E. Humphreys | Alfred E. Humphreys | | Alfred E. Humphreys | Appeared | | Randy Pearlstein |
| Mrs. Norton | Belita Moreno | Belita Moreno | | | | | | |
| Bryce Anderson | Owen Best | Owen Best | | | | | | |
| Shelly | Samantha Page | Samantha Page | | | | | | |
| Marley | Ava Hughes | Ava Hughes | | | | | | |
| Archie Kelly | Jake D. Smith | Jake D. Smith | | | | | | |
| Pete Hosey | Nicholas Carey | | | | | Zeno Robinson | Silent cameo | |
| Carter | Samuel Patrick Chu | | | | | Cyrus Arnold | | |
| Wade | Donnie MacNeil | | | | | Braxton Baker | | |
| Principal | Raugi Yu | | | | | Donny Lucas | | |
| Mrs. Jefferson | Kaye Capron | | Bronwen Smith | | | Photograph | | Silent role |
| Preston Mudd | Rylee Stiles | | | | Photograph | | | |
| Mrs. Fregley | Gabrielle Rose | | | | | Brenda Crichlow | | |
| Bill Walter | Appears in end credits | Fran Kranz | | | | | Jimmy Tatro | |
| Holly Hills | | Peyton List | Peyton List | | | | | |
| Grandpa Heffley | | Terence Kelly | Terence Kelly | Photograph | | | Ed Asner | Photograph |
| Mr. Draybick | | John Shaw | John Shaw | | | | | |
| Ben Segal | | Bryce Hodgson | Bryce Hodgson | | | | | |
| Chris | | Christopher Thorgard-De Schuster | Christopher Thorgard-De Schuster | | | | | |
| Taylor Pringle | | Dalila Bela | Dalila Bela | | | | | |
| Mr. Hills | | Jeff Kinney | Jeff Kinney | | | | | |
| Hulking Teen | Uncredited voice actor | | | | | John Omohundro | Silent cameo | |

## Crew

| Role | Film | Film | Film | Film | Film | Film | Film |
| Role | Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022) | Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023) |
| Composer | Theodore Shapiro | Edward Shearmur | Edward Shearmur | Edward Shearmur | John Paesano | John Paesano | John Paesano |
| Cinematographer | Jack N. Green | Jack N. Green | Anthony B. Richmond | Anthony B. Richmond | — | — | — |
| Editor | Wendy Greene Bricmont | Troy Takaki | Troy Takaki | Troy Takaki | Sylvain Blais | Sylvain Blais Rob Levesque Matthew Sipple |
| Production companies | Fox 2000 Pictures Dune Entertainment Color Force | Fox 2000 Pictures Dune Entertainment Color Force | Fox 2000 Pictures Dune Entertainment Color Force | Fox 2000 Pictures TSG Entertainment Color Force | Walt Disney Pictures$^N$ Bardel Entertainment | Walt Disney Pictures$^N$ Bardel Entertainment | Walt Disney Pictures$^N$ Bardel Entertainment |
| Distributor | 20th Century Fox | 20th Century Fox | 20th Century Fox | 20th Century Fox | Disney+ | Disney+ | Disney+ |

## Reception
### Box office performance

| Film | Budget | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office gross | All-time ranking | All-time ranking | Ref. |
| Film | Budget | U.S. and Canada | Other territories | Worldwide | U.S. and Canada | Worldwide | Ref. |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) | $15 million | $64,003,625 | $12,192,913 | $76,196,538 | 1,341 | 2,127 | |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | $18-21 million | $52,698,535 | $19,828,461 | $72,526,996 | 1,685 | 2,189 | |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days | $22 million | $49,008,662 | $28,221,033 | $77,229,695 | 1,826 | 2,695 | |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul | $22 million | $20,738,724 | $19,402,248 | $40,140,972 | 3,634 | 3,800 | |
| Total | $77-80 million | $186,449,546 | $79,644,655 | $266,094,201 | 211 | 273 | |

### Critical and public response

Critical and public response of Diary of a Wimpy Kid films :
| Film | Critical | Critical | Public |
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) | 54% (106 reviews) | 56 (27 reviews) | A− |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011) | 47% (99 reviews) | 51 (23 reviews) | A− |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days | 52% (75 reviews) | 54 (22 reviews) | A− |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul | 18% (72 reviews) | 39 (16 reviews) | B |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021) | 75% (16 reviews) | 50 (4 reviews) | — |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022) | 50% (10 reviews) | 50 (4 reviews) | — |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023) | 75% (8 reviews) | — | — |