Flushed Away

An overfed pampered mouse from London ends up being flushed into the sewers by a streetwise rat named Sid. He finds himself in Ratropolis, a bustling underground world where danger lurks around every bend. There he teams with Rita, a quick-witted, resourceful ally who hates the way things are done by humans. They cross paths with the Toad, a scheming ruler who rules the tunnels with a few tough enforcers named Spike and Whitey. Together they dodge traps, outsmart rivals, and learn that true courage and friendship can shine even in a world that looks down on them. He learns to see beyond social labels and finds belonging in a new world.

Directed by David Bowers, Flushed Away arrived in 2006 as a joint venture between Aardman Animations and DreamWorks Animation. The story comes from Sam Fell, William Davies and Dick Clement, with voice talents led by Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet.

Box office The film earned about 178 million dollars worldwide, a solid showing for a mid range animated feature released in 2006. It faced stiff competition but still performed well across theaters worldwide and earned a loyal following.

While not a runaway cultural phenomenon, Flushed Away stands out as a rare collaboration between Aardman and DreamWorks bringing a distinctly British humor to a big screen. The Ratropolis setting and charismatic voices left a mark on family friendly animation fans and inspired a loyal online fan community around its characters.

Critics generally praised its visuals and brisk humor while noting a lightweight plot at times. The film blends action with themes of adaptation and self discovery as an unlikely duo learns to value courage and friendship beyond appearances. This balance appealed to families seeking humor and heart.