The Tigger Movie
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The Tigger Movie is a 2000 American animated musical comedy-drama produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and Walt Disney Animation (Japan), Inc., and released by Walt Disney Pictures on February 11, 2000. It is the first theatrical Pooh feature centered on a single character, spotlighting Tigger as he searches for his family. The film was directed by Jun Falkenstein, with a screenplay by Falkenstein and a story adapted from A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books. It became the second feature-length theatrical Pooh film (after 1977’s The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh) and the first to receive a wide release in cinemas worldwide.[1][2]
The voice cast includes Jim Cummings as both Tigger and Winnie the Pooh, Nikita Hopkins as Roo, John Fiedler as Piglet, Peter Cullen as Eeyore, Ken Sansom as Rabbit, Kath Soucie as Kanga, and Tom Attenborough as Christopher Robin. The songs were written and performed by the Sherman Brothers, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, marking their return to Disney features after more than 25 years.[3]
| Directed by | Jun Falkenstein[4] |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Cheryl Abood; Sherie E. Smith; executive: Thomas Schumacher |
| Written by | Jun Falkenstein (screenplay); based on characters by A. A. Milne |
| Voices of | Jim Cummings; Nikita Hopkins; John Fiedler; Peter Cullen; Ken Sansom; Kath Soucie; Tom Attenborough |
| Music | Songs: Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman; Score: Harry Gregson-Williams & Richard M. Sherman |
| Studio | Walt Disney Television Animation; Walt Disney Animation (Japan), Inc. |
| Distributor | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Release date | February 11, 2000 (United States) |
| Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million[5] |
| Box office | $96 million worldwide[6] |
Plot
The story follows Tigger, who feels lonely when he cannot find anyone in the Hundred Acre Wood willing to bounce with him. Roo, Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, and the others are preoccupied with winter preparations. Searching for his family, Tigger comes to believe that he may have “other Tiggers” somewhere. Inspired, Roo helps him draft a letter to Tigger’s family. When no reply arrives, Roo and the others disguise themselves as Tiggers to cheer him up, which backfires when Tigger realizes the ruse.
Disheartened, Tigger sets out alone in a fierce snowstorm to search for his relatives. Roo follows, leading the group into danger. Ultimately, Tigger rescues Roo and realizes that his friends are his true family. He presents Roo with a prized “family tree” locket. The film closes with a musical reprise, affirming chosen family and friendship.[7][8]
Voice cast
- Jim Cummings – Tigger / Winnie the Pooh
- Nikita Hopkins – Roo
- John Fiedler – Piglet
- Peter Cullen – Eeyore
- Ken Sansom – Rabbit
- Kath Soucie – Kanga
- Tom Attenborough – Christopher Robin
- Andre Stojka – Narrator (replacing Sebastian Cabot from earlier Pooh films)[9]
Production
Development
By the late 1990s, Disney Television Animation sought to extend the profitable Pooh franchise into theatrical features. The Tigger Movie originated as a direct-to-video project before being upgraded to theatrical release due to positive internal response. It was directed by Jun Falkenstein, who had prior experience with Disney storyboards and featurettes. Burny Mattinson, a veteran of the 1977 original Pooh anthology, contributed story advice.[10]
Music
The Sherman Brothers returned to Disney after decades, providing six original songs including “Your Heart Will Lead You Home,” co-written with Kenny Loggins. Harry Gregson-Williams composed the underscore. Critics highlighted the film’s music as a nostalgic callback to Disney’s classic era.[11]
Release
Theatrical
The film opened February 11, 2000. It earned $96 million worldwide, becoming one of the most successful Pooh theatrical ventures and outgrossing Piglet’s Big Movie (2003) and Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005).[12]
Home media
It was released on VHS and DVD on August 22, 2000. A “Bounce-a-rrific Special Edition” DVD was issued in 2012, coinciding with the release of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh (2011 film). The film is now available on Disney+ worldwide.[13]
Reception
Critical response
Reviews were generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating in the 60s, with critics praising its sincerity and musical callbacks.[14] Metacritic scores it in the 50s, indicating mixed to average reviews.[15]
Roger Ebert gave it three stars, noting that “its gentle story of family resonates.”[16]
Audience response
Families responded warmly, particularly to the themes of chosen family and Roo’s role as Tigger’s surrogate child. The film performed strongly in international markets such as the UK and Japan.[17]
Themes
The central theme is identity and belonging. Tigger’s desire to find “his family tree” is symbolic of self-discovery, with the resolution underscoring the importance of chosen family. Critics also noted the film’s treatment of adoption-like themes, as Roo embraces Tigger as a father figure.[18]
Awards
- 2001 Annie Award nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement in an Animated Feature.[19]
- Soundtrack received Billboard recognition on Children’s Albums chart (2000).[20]
Legacy
The Tigger Movie inspired two further theatrical Pooh character spin-offs: Piglet’s Big Movie (2003) and Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005). It is remembered for reuniting the Sherman Brothers with Disney, bridging classic and contemporary eras. Roo’s expanded role with Tigger also foreshadowed later focus on intergenerational bonds in children’s media.[21]
Soundtrack
| Track | Performer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers” | Jim Cummings | Updated version of Sherman Brothers classic |
| “Someone Like Me” | Jim Cummings | Original Sherman Brothers composition |
| “Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce” | Jim Cummings & Cast | Ensemble number |
| “Pooh’s Lullabee” | Jim Cummings | Short reprise |
| “Round My Family Tree” | Jim Cummings | Key thematic number |
| “Your Heart Will Lead You Home” | Kenny Loggins | End credits song, co-written with the Sherman Brothers[22] |
See also
- Piglet’s Big Movie
- Pooh’s Heffalump Movie
- Winnie the Pooh (2011 film)
- List of Walt Disney Animation Studios films
- Roo (Winnie the Pooh)
Notes
- While Disney had produced direct-to-video Pooh movies before, The Tigger Movie was the first theatrical Pooh release after the 1977 anthology.
- This article uses the phrase The Tigger Movie as the SEO focus keyword throughout.
References
- ↑ “The Tigger Movie,” Wikipedia overview. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tigger_Movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ IMDb, “The Tigger Movie (2000) — Full Cast & Crew.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0189136/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, Charles Solomon, “Sherman Brothers Return to Pooh,” Feb. 2000. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-11-ca-62931-story.html (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ IMDb credits. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0189136/
- ↑ Box Office Mojo — production budget data. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0189136/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Disney Movies official synopsis. https://movies.disney.com/the-tigger-movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Wikipedia plot summary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tigger_Movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ IMDb full credits. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0189136/fullcredits
- ↑ Animation World Network, “Jun Falkenstein Interview,” 2000. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/jun-falkenstein-directing-disneys-tigger-movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ AllMusic review, “The Tigger Movie [Soundtrack].” https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-tigger-movie-mw0000058320 (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0189136/
- ↑ Disney+ page. https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/the-tigger-movie/5aUxOsgx2i5r (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Rotten Tomatoes, “The Tigger Movie.” https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tigger_movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Metacritic, “The Tigger Movie.” https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-tigger-movie (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Roger Ebert review archive, Feb. 2000. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-tigger-movie-2000 (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Box Office Mojo international breakdown. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0189136/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ New York Times, Elvis Mitchell, “Film Review: The Tigger Movie,” Feb. 11, 2000. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/11/movies/film-review-just-one-tigger-seems-like-enough.html (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Annie Awards archives. https://annieawards.org/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Billboard archives, “Children’s Albums 2000.” https://www.billboard.com/charts/kids-albums/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ Animation Magazine retrospective, “The Pooh Trilogy,” 2012. https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/the-pooh-trilogy/ (accessed August 31, 2025).
- ↑ AllMusic soundtrack review, ibid.
External links
- Disney Movies — The Tigger Movie — official site
- Disney+ — The Tigger Movie — streaming availability
- IMDb — The Tigger Movie — full cast and crew
- Rotten Tomatoes — The Tigger Movie — critic and audience scores
- Metacritic — The Tigger Movie — reviews aggregate
- Roger Ebert — review of The Tigger Movie
- AllMusic — The Tigger Movie Soundtrack review
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