The Spiderwick Chronicles (film)

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Waters
Screenplay by
Based onThe Spiderwick Chronicles
by Tony DiTerlizzi and
Holly Black
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCaleb Deschanel
Edited byMichael Kahn
Music byJames Horner
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures (under Nickelodeon Movies)
Release dates
  • January 31, 2008 (2008-01-31) (Hollywood)
  • February 14, 2008 (2008-02-14) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$90-92.5 million
Box office$162.8 million

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a 2008 American fantasy film directed by Mark Waters and written by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum, and John Sayles, based on the book series by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. It stars Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker and Sarah Bolger, with Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen, and Martin Short in voice roles. The film, set in the Spiderwick Estate in New England, follows three children who discover a field guide to fairies while encountering various magical creatures such as goblins, ogres, brownies, boggarts, hobgoblins, trolls and many others.

The Spiderwick Chronicles was released on February 14, 2008, by Paramount Pictures and grossed $163 million against its $90–92.5 million budget. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.