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Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life—and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own. Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ari S. comments, “I thoroughly enjoyed Harold and the Purple Crayon for its imaginative storyline and vibrant animation. The film beautifully captures the essence of creativity and the wonders of a child’s imagination, making it delightful to watch…One of the standout aspects of Harold and the Purple Crayon is its stunning animation, which brings Harold’s drawings to life with vivid colors and fluid movements.” See her full review and interviews with cast and crew below.

Harold and the Purple Crayon
By Ari S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Zachary Levi “Harold”in Columbia Pictures HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

I thoroughly enjoyed Harold and the Purple Crayon for its imaginative storyline and vibrant animation. The film beautifully captures the essence of creativity and the wonders of a child’s imagination, making it delightful to watch. Its seamless blend of whimsy and real-world elements offers a refreshing cinematic experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

In Harold and the Purple Crayon, grown-up Harold (Zachary Levi) steps out of his book and into the real world, bringing his magical purple crayon with him. This crayon allows him to create anything he can imagine simply by drawing it. However, Harold soon discovers that life outside the pages is more complex and challenging than he ever expected. As the power of his crayon attracts the attention of those with less pure intentions, Harold and his friends must use their creativity and wits to protect both their magical world and the real one from impending chaos.

Columbia Pictures HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

One of the standout aspects of Harold and the Purple Crayon is its stunning animation, which brings Harold’s drawings to life with vivid colors and fluid movements. The film masterfully blends whimsical drawings with real-world settings, creating a seamless and enchanting visual experience. The storyline is engaging, striking a perfect balance between humor and heartwarming moments as Harold navigates his new reality.

The voice acting is superb, with each character adding depth and personality to their roles, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The film’s pace is excellent, keeping me hooked from start to finish, with each scene building anticipation and excitement. The creativity displayed in solving problems with the crayon is both amusing and inspiring, showing that imagination knows no bounds.

(L to R) Lil Rel Howery “Moose” and Zachary Levi “Harold”in Columbia Pictures HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

At its core, Harold and the Purple Crayon teaches us that creativity and imagination are powerful tools that can solve even the most challenging problems.

I give Harold and the Purple Crayon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 through 12, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on August 2, 2024. Be sure to check it out.

Harold and the Purple Crayon
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 10

I love Harold and the Purple Crayon.  It’s a great family movie, here’s one that really drew me in.  This film is inspired by the beloved 1955 children’s book that has captivated young readers for decades.  The film had me laughing out loud and imagining what it would be like to create something with my own magic purple crayon.

Zachary Levi “Harold”in Columbia Pictures HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. When he grows up, Harold draws himself off of the book’s pages and into the physical world with his pals, Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds), where they meet a widowed mom named Terry (Zooey Deschanel) and her still-grieving son, Mel (Benjamin Bottani).

Harold discovers that he has a lot to learn about real life and when the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it takes all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own.

This movie is tons of fun and filled with hilarious hijinks making the impossible possible. I love the comedy, the heartfelt story, the family values and the endless imagination.  I really love how they took the book and stretched it out and made it into something amusing and cinematic at the same time.

(L to R) Zachary Levi “Harold”, Benjamin Bottani “Mel” and Lil Rel Howery “Moose” in Columbia Pictures HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

I love watching Harold draw so many things throughout the movie that come to life on the big screen, like a plane, pies, a bike, a tire, and so many other things.  Also, there is so much chemistry with all of the characters that you can feel it through the big screen, like when they all work together to help Harold find his dad.  There are so many adventures they go on during the film.  I love the scene when Harold and Moose go to Terry’s workplace and things get out of hand when Harold starts drawing whatever people are looking for.

This film has something for everyone – it is a family movie, with layers that adults will enjoy as much as kids.

The film’s message is to believe in yourself, never stop imagining and explore your creativity no matter your age.

I give Harold and the Purple Crayon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  You can watch Harold and the Purple Crayon beginning August 2, 2024.