Small Soldiers

On a suburban street, a curious teen named Alan Abernathy uncovers a secret plan that injects life into his toy figures. Experimental missile tech has given a set of action figures their own fighting code, turning playtime into a real war. The aggressive Commando Elite clash with the more peaceful Gorgonites, and the battles creep from toy chest to yard, garage, and street. Alan teams up with Christy Fimple and Irwin Wayfair, a bumbling scientist, to keep the fighting heroes from spilling into the real world. As chaos escalates, the trio must outsmart the toy warriors and prevent a neighborhood from becoming a battleground. The human cast around Alan's family becomes tangled in the chaos. Friends step in to navigate the chaos.

Directed by Joe Dante, Small Soldiers brings together an original concept by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and Gavin Scott. It hit theaters in 1998, produced by DreamWorks with Amblin Entertainment. It blends live action with practical effects and humor today.

Small Soldiers grossed about 54.7 million worldwide against a 40 million budget, making a modest return for a family sci fi action film of the late 90s. It performed strongest in domestic markets and earned modest legs overseas worldwide globally.

The film is remembered for its split between humor and darker undercurrents, a Joe Dante signature. The two toy factions, Commando Elite and Gorgonites, helped seed later kid friendly action comedies that mix silliness with social satire, plus one of the era's notable practical effects sequences.

Critics gave the film a mixed reception, praising its energy and effects while noting tonal unevenness. The movie probes how violence in playthings reflects grown up choices about weapons and media, framing a suburban fable about responsibility, friendship, and the cost of unchecked technology. Its themes still resonate with fans.