Horton Hears a Who! poster

Horton Hears a Who!

"Horton hears more than anyone believes."

Movie G 2008 1h 26m 6.5 /10
Directed by Steve Martino, Jimmy Hayward

On a distant corner of the jungle world Horton spots a tiny speck floating through the air and hears a faint cry coming from within it. He grows certain that life exists on that speck and that he must protect it, even as others doubt his claims. He speaks up against the chorus of disbelief,... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 20, 2026

About Horton Hears a Who!

On a distant corner of the jungle world Horton spots a tiny speck floating through the air and hears a faint cry coming from within it. He grows certain that life exists on that speck and that he must protect it, even as others doubt his claims. He speaks up against the chorus of disbelief, insisting every voice matters. He refuses to abandon the speck because its inhabitants deserve a chance at life. As the speck drifts through chaotic moments and misread signals, Horton keeps his vigil, arguing for mercy and persistence. A clash between loyalty and skepticism tests his resolve, yet he refuses to surrender the fragile world he senses. Even friends question him, but his faith never wavers and the idea of protection remains his driving force.

Directed by Steve Martino and Jimmy Hayward, this animated feature adapts Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who for the big screen. Blue Sky Studios brings the visual whimsy, while 20th Century Fox handles release duties in 2008 to global families.

Box office success for a family audience, Horton Hears a Who earned about 298.6 million dollars worldwide. The movie balanced broad appeal with Dr. Seuss charm, recouping its 85 million dollar budget and delivering momentum for Blue Sky Studios everywhere.

The film is often cited as a bright family friendly adaptation that introduces Dr Seuss humor to new generations. It showcases Horton the dependable guardian and reinforces the catchphrase a person's a person no matter how small. Its colorful visual gags and warm message linger beyond the credits for families.

Critics praised the film for its warmth, brisk pace, and voice performances, though some noted it did not reinvent the Seuss material. The story centers on listening and loyalty, highlighting how courage to defend the vulnerable can prevail even when others doubt you. Its themes still feel relevant for families.

What Viewers Are Saying

6.5/10
from 3,469 ratings

People who checked it out say Horton Hears a Who! has a few funny bits but mostly feels meh. Carrey as Horton doesn't click for a lot of viewers and his scenes start to feel repetitive, while Steve Carell's Mayor has the occasional bright moment. Most agree the original flick outshines this one and the sequel never hits the same magic, even when jokes land. Still, some folks like the Dr. Seuss vibes and a handful of lines or gags that land with kids and adults alike.

Details

Release Date
March 03, 2008
Runtime
1h 26m
Rating
G
User Ratings
3,469 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Country
United States
Studio
Blue Sky Studios +1 more
Budget
$85,000,000
Box Office
$298,572,799
External Links
View on IMDB

Cast

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey

Horton (voice)

Steve Carell

Steve Carell

Mayor (voice)

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett

Kangaroo (voice)

Will Arnett

Will Arnett

Vlad (voice)

Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen

Morton (voice)

Dan Fogler

Dan Fogler

Councilman / Yummo Wickersham (voice)

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher

Dr. Mary Lou Larue (voice)

Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill

Tommy (voice)

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler

Sally O'Malley (voice)

Jaime Pressly

Jaime Pressly

Mrs. Quilligan (voice)

Director: Steve Martino, Jimmy Hayward

Written by: Ken Daurio, Cinco Paul, Ricardo Curtis

Frequently Asked Questions

Horton Hears a Who! is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 6.5/10 from 3,469 viewers, Horton Hears a Who! is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

On a distant corner of the jungle world Horton spots a tiny speck floating through the air and hears a faint cry coming from within it. He grows certain that life exists on that speck and that he must protect it, even as others doubt his claims. He speaks up against the chorus of disbelief, insis...

Horton Hears a Who! stars Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, and Seth Rogen.

Horton Hears a Who! was directed by Steve Martino and Jimmy Hayward.

Horton Hears a Who! was released on March 03, 2008.

Horton Hears a Who! is a Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, and Fantasy film.

Yes. It's an animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who! story. The film features Jim Carrey voicing Horton and was directed by Steve Martino and Jimmy Hayward.

Jim Carrey voices Horton, the imaginative elephant who hears a faint cry on a speck.

Carol Burnett voices Kangaroo in the film.

Yes, the movie is rated G and is suitable for family audiences.