---
title: "Animal Crossing: The Movie (2006) review"
description: "How did I not know this movie existed, even at the peak of my Animal Crossing New Horizons obsession? The 2006 Animal Crossing film is beautifully animated..."
url: https://www.joekarlsson.com/reviews/animal-crossing-the-movie/
---

![A still from Animal Crossing: The Movie (2006)](https://www.joekarlsson.com/images/reviews/animal-crossing-the-movie/backdrop.webp)

# Animal Crossing: The Movie (2006)

Sep 30, 2025 | 2 min read | Rated 2.5 out of 5 | Dir. Joji Shimura

How did I not know this movie existed, even at the peak of my Animal Crossing New Horizons obsession? The 2006 Animal Crossing film is beautifully animated, looks adorably cute, and is surprisingly funny - though it’s definitely aimed at a much younger crowd than I expected.

What struck me most is how the boy character just resonated completely. He’s a total bozo who runs around digging up everything, rams into everyone, and completely ignores the gentle story-creation aspect of the game. Meanwhile, the girl character represents that wholesome, thoughtful player who actually engages with the town and its rhythms - which is absolutely not how I play these games. Seeing my chaotic playstyle reflected back at me in animated form was weirdly validating.

The film is packed with fun nods and in-jokes that only players would catch, and watching those little moments animated made them feel like the adventures I was always imagining in my head while playing. The music is gorgeous too, though I’ll admit I’m having a hard time separating my love for the game’s soundtrack from what the movie actually brings to the table.

This is the definition of a charming, cozy watch. Perfect background viewing when you want something gentle on, or honestly great for the right kind of party where you need ambient vibes. It made me genuinely miss my island and all my old friends - I should go back and visit them someday.

All that said, I don’t think I’ll be revisiting this one. But if you’re a diehard Animal Crossing fan? Absolutely worth your time.

Also on [Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/joekarlsson/film/animal-crossing-the-movie/)

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I write about my homelab, AI tools, databases, and the weird stuff I build on the side.

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