How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)

How to Eat Fried Worms is the kind of kid-centered comedy that commits to a gloriously gross premise while keeping its heart in the right place: it understands that, in fifth grade, a dare can feel like a full-blown epic. The movie captures the sweaty-palmed intensity of playground politics with a surprisingly sweet, good-natured vibe, letting its humor come from the absurdity of the situation rather than winking cynicism at the audience. Luke Benward makes Billy easy to root for, and the direction keeps things brisk and clear-eyed, balancing laughs with the real sting of fitting in at a new school. If you’re allergic to crude, squirmy gags (yes, worms are prepared and eaten in creatively nasty ways), it may not be your dinner-time pick—but for families looking for a refreshing, old-school crowd-pleaser about courage and standing your ground, it’s a small, charming dare worth taking.

How to Eat Fried Worms is aiming for a kid-friendly underdog story about standing up to bullies and finding your place, wrapped in gross-out dare comedy. The problem is the movie stretches a thin premise to feature length, so the pacing can feel like a repetitive series of worm “set pieces” rather than a story that builds, and the bullying sometimes lands more mean than funny. If you’re squeamish or just not into food-gag humor, this will likely feel like a slog even with its PG safety rails. On the plus side, the young cast has an easygoing charm and the message about peer pressure and empathy is solid—just don’t expect anything sharper than a quaint, made-for-kids diversion.