Diary of a Wimpy Kid (film) facts for kids

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a fun comedy film from 2010. It mixes live-action (real actors) with animation (cartoons). The movie was directed by Thor Freudenthal. It's based on the super popular book series by Jeff Kinney.

The film stars Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley and Robert Capron as Rowley Jefferson. Other actors like Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn, and Chloë Grace Moretz also play important parts. This movie was the first in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. It was followed by three more movies: Rodrick Rules (2011), Dog Days (2012), and The Long Haul (2017).

Diary of a Wimpy Kid came out in theaters on March 19, 2010, in the United States. It was released by 20th Century Fox. The movie made $75.7 million around the world, and it cost about $15 million to make. This was the only Wimpy Kid movie directed by Thor Freudenthal. David Bowers directed the next films in the series.

What's the Story?

The movie is about Greg Heffley, an 11-year-old boy who is about to start middle school. He's a bit worried about it. On his first day, Greg quickly learns about the strange things in middle school. These include missing doors in the boys' bathroom and how hard it is to get a seat at lunch.

The Cheese Touch and New Friends

During gym class, Greg and his best friend Rowley Jefferson learn about "the Cheese Touch." This is a moldy piece of cheese on the basketball court. If you touch it, you become an outcast! The only way to get rid of it is to pass it to someone else. They also meet Angie, a seventh-grader who tries to stay away from everyone. Greg decides he wants to be the most popular kid in school.

School Challenges

The next day, Greg tries out for wrestling. But he loses badly to Fregley, a quirky classmate, and Patty Farrell, his enemy from elementary school. On Halloween, Greg and Rowley are trick-or-treating. Some older teenagers spray them with a fire extinguisher. Greg threatens to call the police, so the teens chase them. Greg and Rowley escape by hiding at Greg's grandmother's house.

Friendship Troubles

Greg and Rowley join the Safety Patrol, hoping to become popular. They also try to become the new cartoonists for the school paper. Greg accidentally breaks Rowley's arm. This makes other students feel sorry for Rowley, and he becomes popular. Greg gets jealous, especially when Rowley wins the cartoonist contest.

One day, Greg fills in for Rowley on Safety Patrol. He is supposed to walk kindergartners home. But he sees a truck like the one from Halloween and gets scared. He hides the little kids in a construction zone. A neighbor sees him and thinks it's Rowley. Greg then leaves the kindergartners and runs away. Rowley gets suspended from Safety Patrol because of this. Greg eventually tells Rowley the truth, but Rowley is upset about how Greg treats him. Rowley ends their friendship. Greg is also kicked off Safety Patrol, while Rowley gets his job back and finds a new best friend, Collin.

The School Play

Greg tries to become popular without Rowley. He joins the school play, The Wizard of Oz. At tryouts, Greg is offered the role of Dorothy because he has a high voice. He says no, and Patty Farrell gets the part instead. Greg agrees to play a tree, hoping to throw apples at Dorothy. But that scene is cut from the play! During the show, Greg sees his older brother Rodrick filming him. Greg refuses to sing, and Patty gets angry. Greg starts throwing apples at her, and the play ends in a mess.

Later, Greg goes to the school's mother-son dance with his mom, Susan. His mom tells him to try and make up with Rowley. But Rowley doesn't want to be friends again. Greg sadly watches as Rowley and his mom win over the crowd with a dance to "Intergalactic" by the Beastie Boys.

Making Up

One day at recess, Greg and Rowley argue loudly. Other students gather around, wanting them to fight. But neither of them is good at fighting. The teenage boys from Halloween show up. They force Rowley to eat part of the Cheese. The teens run away when Coach Malone, the gym teacher, arrives. When the other kids see that the Cheese has been eaten, Greg takes the blame for Rowley. This helps them become friends again.

At the end of the school year, Greg and Rowley are named "Cutest Friends" in the yearbook.

Who's in the Movie?

• Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley: The main character, a middle schooler who wants to be popular.
• Robert Capron as Rowley Jefferson: Greg's best friend, who is a bit more innocent and childish.
• Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley: Greg's older brother, who often teases him.
• Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley: Greg's father.
• Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley: Greg's mother.
• Chloë Grace Moretz as Angie Steadman: A smart seventh-grader and school paper reporter. She's a new character made just for the movie.
• Karan Brar as Chirag Gupta: One of Greg's friends.
• Grayson Russell as Fregley: A quirky and unusual classmate of Greg's.
• Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell: Greg's long-time enemy.
• Alex Ferris as Collin Lee: Rowley's friend when he and Greg are not getting along.
• Andrew McNee as Coach Malone: Greg's gym teacher.
• Connor and Owen Fielding as Manny Heffley: Greg's little brother.
• Belita Moreno as Mrs. Norton: Greg's acting teacher.
• Alf Humphreys as Mr. Jefferson: Rowley's father, who doesn't always like Greg.
• Kaye Capron as Mrs. Jefferson: Rowley's mother.

Music and Books

Soundtrack

The movie's music was created by Theodore Shapiro. A soundtrack CD was released by La La Land Records, featuring 34 songs from the film.

The Movie Diary Book

A special book called The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary was released on March 16, 2010. It was written by Jeff Kinney, the author of the original books. This book shares fun facts about how the movie was made. It includes pictures from the film, drawings, and behind-the-scenes information. It even has some new illustrations by Jeff Kinney himself!

More Movies!

Three more Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies followed this one.

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules came out on March 25, 2011. It was based on the second book, Rodrick Rules. Zachary Gordon returned as Greg.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days was released on August 3, 2012. This movie combined stories from two books: The Last Straw and Dog Days. An animated short film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown, was included with the DVD.
• A film based on The Long Haul was released in May 2017. This movie had a brand new cast, including Jason Drucker, Alicia Silverstone, and Tom Everett Scott.