Runaway Reptar facts for kids

Runaway Reptar is a special TV movie from the Rugrats cartoon series. It was the 19th and 20th episodes of the sixth season. This exciting episode first aired on Nickelodeon on May 27, 1999. In the story, the babies watch a Reptar movie and somehow get pulled right into it!

This episode was written by Ali Marie Matheson and Jon Cooksey. The original idea came from Scott Gray. John Holmquist and Jim Duffy directed the episode. You could buy "Runaway Reptar" on VHS starting August 3, 1999. It is also available on DVD as part of the Season 6 collection.

The Story: Part 1

The Rugrats babies and their grandpa, Lou Pickles, go to a drive-in movie theater. This is a place where you watch movies from your car. The babies call it a "parking lot movie." They are watching a Reptar movie, which is also called Runaway Reptar.

Their friend, Susie Carmichael, is also there with her family. Susie talks to Angelica Pickles using walkie-talkies. As they watch, they see Reptar, a giant dinosaur, helping his enemy, Dactar. Everyone, even the reporters in the movie, wonders why Reptar is helping Dactar.

Tommy thinks they should go to Tokyo (which he calls "Pokyo") to help Reptar become good again. He gets into his toy Reptar car. All the babies, except Chuckie, jump in. They turn on three engines, and then Chuckie finally gets in. They turn on the last engine and zoom right into the movie! Angelica is surprised and says, "Who drooled on my cookies?!"

Inside the movie, Chuckie asks if they are going too fast. Tommy says that everyone ran away when Dactar and Reptar appeared. So, they are the only ones left on the street. Then Lil shouts, "'Cept for the big butterfly!" They see Dactar flying right over their heads and scream!

Dactar tries to peck at them. The babies drive through a tunnel to make Dactar get stuck. They then see Reptar eating a firetruck. This makes them believe Reptar has truly turned bad. Chuckie suggests they find a snail to be their new hero.

The reporters on the big screen say they should set a trap for Reptar. Back in the Reptar car, Chuckie finds a snail and tries to copy what it does. But Dil throws the snail away. Tommy, Phil, and Lil set a trap for Reptar. He walks up behind them. Chuckie sees him and has a slug. He tries to get advice from the slug, but instead, he throws it and helps Tommy. As Reptar gets closer, Chuckie pushes Tommy out of the way. Chuckie falls into some dinosaur treats. Reptar's foot gets stuck in the trap, and Tommy tries to save Chuckie from being eaten.

The Story: Part 2

The Rugrats finally discover the truth: Reptar is a robot! It's like a giant toy robot (similar to Mechagodzilla) that Angelica built and controls using Pego building blocks. The man who gave Angelica the idea appears on a blimp. He tells them his whole plan.

The robot Reptar then heads towards the babies' houses. Tommy and his friends call Susie to tell her what is happening. The Rugrats rush to Mount Fugelica to stop Angelica. But Dactar (who looks like Rodan) is chasing them again. They fly lower to the ground past a bell. Dactar follows them and hits his head on the bell. Meanwhile, Susie and her brothers try to stop the robot Reptar in their Halloween costumes.

At Mount Fugelica, Angelica captures the babies. She has already captured the real Reptar. Susie and her brothers manage to capture the robot Reptar. They stop it from crushing Tommy's house. While Tommy tries to break them out, Dil pulls a "tinkly thing." Darts shoot out and break Angelica's machine, which controls the robot Reptar.

Robot Reptar then appears at Mount Fugelica and brings Susie with him. He chases Angelica. Tommy asks Angelica to let them out so they can help her. They hide Angelica in her pile of cookies. Then robot Reptar leaves with Dil. Tommy uses his screwdriver to free the real Reptar (who looks like Godzilla).

The real Reptar helps the babies by fighting the robot Reptar (Mechagodzilla). While they fight, Tommy rescues Dil. They all say goodbye to Susie and thank the real Reptar for his help. Then they ride home. As they go home, Tommy uses Angelica's two-way phone and thanks Susie for helping. He then falls asleep. Angelica drops her snow globe, and Reptar appears inside it as the episode ends.

The Book

A book based on the "Runaway Reptar" episode was released in 1999. It was adapted by Cecile Schoberle.

Roller Coasters

Rugrats Runaway Reptar at Kings Island

Rugrats Runaway Reptar was also the name of several Suspended Family Coasters. These roller coasters were designed by a company called Vekoma. They were special because they were the first inverted roller coasters made just for kids!

The first "Rugrats Runaway Reptar" coaster opened in 2001 at Kings Island in the USA. Then, in 2002, another one opened at Dreamworld in Australia. A third one opened in 2003 at Carowinds in the USA. These rides have since been given new names and themes.

Runaway Reptar was also once the name of a different ride called Woodstock's Express. This ride is at California's Great America. It is a traditional steel roller coaster for families to enjoy.

How the Episode Was Made

"Runaway Reptar" was written by Ali Marie Matheson and Jon Cooksey. It was directed by John Holmquist and Jim Duffy. This episode was the thirteenth and fourteenth episode of the sixth season of Rugrats.

The Rugrats cartoon was created by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, and Paul Germain. They also founded the company Klasky-Csupo, which made the show. "Runaway Reptar" was the first time Rugrats had a double-length episode. It was also the first time the character Dactar appeared. This special episode first aired during prime-time on Nickelodeon.