Film

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

VeggieTales' first feature film retells the biblical story of Jonah through the eyes of vegetable characters. It's earnest without being preachy, funny for both kids and parents, and genuinely moving about redemption and second chances. Colourful 3D animation, catchy songs, and the cast's vocal warmth make this a family film that doesn't talk down to anyone.

TMDb rating3.1

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you grew up on Bible stories told with silly songs and vegetable puppets, and you want a sincere tale delivered with wink-and-a-grin musical numbers.

Skip it if you find the familiar VeggieTales jokes and sing-along pacing wearing thin, since the cheerful gags and a quick, moralizing tone are the whole point.

What it asks of you: At 82 minutes, it keeps a brisk, bouncy clip and rewards a light heart far more than deep, sustained attention.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Prince of Egypt1998

DreamWorks' animated epic treats biblical storytelling with genuine gravitas and spectacle. Stunning animation, Ralph Fiennes and Val Kilmer's voices, and a score that still hits emotionally. It proves animated faith stories can be artful and serious.

But Nearly two hours long and darker in tone than you might expect. Some children find the plague sequences genuinely frightening.

The Prince of Egypt poster

Charlotte's Web2006

Tender, funny, gorgeously animated adaptation that respects both kids and the source material. Captures that same blend of humour and genuine emotional stakes. The voice cast (Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi) brings real warmth to their roles.

But The sadness isn't softened for children. Some kids find the ending difficult, and that's the point—which might not be what you want.

Charlotte's Web poster

Madagascar2005

Colourful, fast-paced adventure with heart underneath the jokes. Animals on an epic journey learning about friendship and home—similar themes to Jonah but with wilder energy. The voice work (Ben Stiller, Chris Rock) carries genuine charm.

But Relies heavily on slapstick and rapid-fire pop culture jokes. Some of the humour hasn't aged brilliantly and it can feel overstuffed.

Madagascar poster

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Hilda2018

Both centre on a protagonist learning that people and creatures aren't simply good or evil. Forgiveness and understanding come through seeing someone else's perspective fully.

Netflix animated series about a girl navigating a world of magical creatures and moral complexity. Gorgeous hand-drawn animation, genuinely funny, and the character growth is earned rather than preached. Treats young protagonists as thoughtful people with real agency.

But Darker and more complex than VeggieTales—there are consequences and genuinely scary moments. Three seasons means commitment, and some viewers find the mythology overwhelming.

Hilda poster
More like this (6)

The Tale of Despereaux2008

Lush, storybook animation with a mouse hero learning forgiveness and love. Explores redemption and second chances through a fairy-tale lens. Matthew Broderick and Sigourney Weaver lend weight to a genuinely touching narrative.

But The animation, while beautiful, is less dynamic than contemporary films. The pacing is slow and contemplative—modern kids might find it dull.

The Tale of Despereaux poster

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012

The third film finds the sweet spot between spectacle and heart. Circus setting, gorgeous animation, and the characters' journey toward self-acceptance feels earned. More emotionally coherent than the sequels had any right to be.

But By this point the formula is familiar. If you didn't love the first two, this won't convert you. Some characters feel sidelined.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted poster

Shrek2001

Animated fairytale that's cynical and sentimental in equal measure. Hilarious, visually inventive, and Eddie Murphy's Donkey is genuinely one of the best comedic voice performances ever. Proves animation can be clever without being cold.

But Some of the gross-out humour feels dated. The emotional beats can feel manipulative if you're watching it as an adult without nostalgia.

Shrek poster

The Lego Movie2014

Relentlessly inventive stop-motion comedy that respects its young audience's intelligence. Messages about individuality and teamwork woven naturally into pure fun. The vocal performances (Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks) are pitch-perfect.

But The constant quips and visual gags mean it rarely slows down—exhausting for some viewers. The plot is fairly standard underneath the cleverness.

The Lego Movie poster

Wreck-It Ralph2012

Video-game adventure about an outcast learning self-worth. Genuinely heartfelt, beautifully animated, and the video-game world-building is a joy. John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman make you care about the characters completely.

But The video-game references feel dated now and the plot meanders slightly in the middle. Some emotional beats are heavy-handed.

Wreck-It Ralph poster

The Iron Giant1999

Like Jonah, it's fundamentally about the power of one person choosing compassion and refusing to accept a predetermined, violent ending. Both are animated features about choosing mercy over fear.

Hand-drawn Cold War fable about a boy befriending a giant robot during the paranoid 1950s. Tender, funny, politically aware, and absolutely gorgeous animation. Vin Diesel as the Giant's voice is unexpectedly moving. A film that improves with age.

But Flopped at the box office and feels slightly melancholy. The 1950s setting and quieter pacing won't engage kids expecting constant action. Some US political messaging feels heavy-handed.

The Iron Giant poster

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Recommended by

3-2-1 Penguins!: Trouble on Planet Wait-Your-Turn, VeggieTales: The Ballad of Little Joe