It’s been a somewhat slow start to 2023 for Netflix. The world’s most popular streamer has made more headlines for the failed messages surrounding its upcoming password-sharing crackdown than any other must-see content ever to hit the platform — but new movie #2 makes Netflix finally give something positive to shout about.
Lyle, Lyle and the Crocodile features the voice of Shawn Mendes as the titular Crawler. While this charming family movie was released in theaters in October 2022, it’s now an even bigger hit after hitting Netflix last week (Saturday, February 4). The movie climbed to second place on Netflix’s most-watched list, behind only You People – which has topped the Netflix chart for over a week now.
Naturally, the movie made fans of the teen singer very happy, but the musical comedy is also a great pick for families. If you’re considering adding Lyle, Lyle, and Crocodile to your watchlist, here’s everything you need to know, and we’ll also try to answer the all-important question of whether you should skip it or stream it.
What is Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile about?
As you probably guessed, Lyle, Lyle and Crocodile focuses on a crocodile named Lyle, but it’s no ordinary scaly reptile. Lyle lives on East 88th Street in New York City, and while he can’t speak, he can definitely make a tone.
A young boy named Josh (Winslow Fegley) struggles with making friends and his own laundry list of phobias, but his life changes when he discovers Lyle in his new home. The duo quickly become friends, though Josh’s parents (Constance Wu and Scott McNairy) are initially skeptical about keeping an alligator at a townhouse in town. Despite this, they soon come to embrace Lyle as a member of the family.
But trouble is imminent when a neighbor of the family spots Lyle and insists that the cute animal belongs in a zoo. In addition, Lyle’s first owner, the charismatic Hector Valenti (Javier Bardem), arrives on the scene and wants to sing Alligator in a national talent show. There’s just one problem: Lyle has terrible stage fright.
Based on the beloved children’s book of the same name by Bernard Wapper, and with new musical numbers from the songwriters of The Greatest Showman, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a movie that aims to get the whole family to smile and sing along.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Reviews: What Do the Critics Say?
Lyle, Lyle and the Crocodile enjoyed reasonably strong reviews from critics when it was originally released last year. The family movie currently holds a strong 72% on the review aggregate site Rotten tomatoes (Opens in a new tab)but its audience score is 93% higher.
Cath Clarke of guardian (Opens in a new tab) He declared that “it’s the movie’s suave warmth that wins the day” but that it “only” accomplished the feat. Richard Brody of The New Yorker (Opens in a new tab) He was more impressed, saying, “Good cheer and ample humor have enlivened this clever live musical adaptation of Bernard Wapper’s classic series of children’s books.”
Neil Minow RogerEbert.com (Opens in a new tab) He was especially excited about Lyle’s adventures. They called it “a heartfelt family movie with groovy musical numbers that will have another generation of kids searching the attic for the chance to find a singing alligator.” That’s really strong praise.
the Washington Post (Opens in a new tab)Thomas Floyd gave another positive write-up, saying, “This family flick delivers enough pulse-quickening earworms and warmth to melt even the kindest of hearts.” But G. Allen Johnson of San Francisco Chronicle (Opens in a new tab) He was less impressed, saying “The problem with this movie Toothless, directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, is that it’s just a farce.”
Should you stream Lyle, Lyle and the Crocodile on Netflix?
If you are looking for a new Netflix movie that the whole family can enjoy together, Lyle, Lyle and the Crocodile seems like the perfect choice. Her easy charm is sure to win you over, and the musical numbers are fantastic thanks to Shawn Mendes’ vocal talents.
It’s certainly not the most sophisticated movie, and older audiences will likely find its grand finale a little predictable, but this is definitely a movie about the journey, not the destination. If you missed this show in theaters last year, don’t make the same mistake twice. Lyle, Lyle and the Crocodile seems to be that rare Netflix movie that the whole family can enjoy together.
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