Honestly, if you haven't revisited the rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs lately, you’re missing out on one of the weirdest, most kinetic comedies of the last twenty years. It’s a riot. Most people remember it as just another "kids' movie" based on a thin picture book, but the actual critical and audience reception tells a much more interesting story.
It’s fast. Like, really fast.
When Sony Pictures Animation released this in 2009, they weren't exactly the powerhouse they are today. Before Spider-Verse, they were the studio that did Open Season. Then came Phil Lord and Chris Miller. They took a beloved 32-page book by Judi and Ron Barrett and turned it into a high-octane disaster movie parody. The result? A critical darling that holds an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not just "good for a cartoon." That’s legitimate prestige territory.
What the Critics Actually Said
The professional rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs wasn't just about the bright colors. Critics like A.O. Scott at The New York Times actually appreciated the "frenetic pacing." It didn't feel like a cynical cash grab.
Metacritic gives it a 66 out of 100, which sounds lower than the Rotten Tomatoes score, but Metacritic is notoriously stingy. For context, that puts it in the "generally favorable" category. What’s wild is how much praise was heaped on the voice acting. Bill Hader as Flint Lockwood and Anna Faris as Sam Sparks brought a level of sincerity to characters that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Some reviewers felt the third act got a little too chaotic. You know how these movies go. Everything has to explode. Big food monsters. A giant meatball in the sky. It gets loud. But even the critics who complained about the noise admitted the visual imagination was off the charts. It wasn't just raining cheeseburgers; it was a calibrated assault of puns and physical comedy that worked for adults just as much as toddlers.
Breaking Down the PG Rating
Parents always want to know: is it actually safe for the little ones? The rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs is officially PG.
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Why not G? Well, basically because of "mild rude humor." You’ve got a monkey named Steve who is obsessed with gummy bears. You’ve got a lot of things hitting people in the face. There's also "peril." The climax involves a sentient, mutating food-storm that’s genuinely a bit intense if you're four years old. But compared to modern stuff, it’s incredibly tame.
The "rude humor" usually refers to stuff like Flint’s spray-on shoes or the occasional butt joke, but it never feels mean-spirited. It’s a "nice" movie. That’s rare. It manages to be cynical about corporate greed (the Mayor is a phenomenal villain voiced by Bruce Campbell) while remaining totally earnest about the relationship between a father and a son.
Why Audiences Rated It Higher Than Critics
If you look at the CinemaScore, which tracks how people feel right when they walk out of the theater, the movie pulled an "A-". That is massive.
Audiences loved it because it’s funny. Pure and simple. The humor isn't dated. It doesn't rely on 2009-era pop culture references that feel cringey today. Instead, it relies on "visual grammar."
- The way Flint runs.
- The "FLINT!" scream from his dad, Tim Lockwood.
- The giant Jell-O mold sequence.
These are timeless bits. On IMDb, the movie sits at a solid 6.9/10. Now, I know what you’re thinking. 6.9? That’s it? But IMDb users are famously tough on non-Pixar animation. For a non-Disney film from that era, a 6.9 is actually a badge of honor. It’s got a cult following.
The Technical Rating: Visuals and Sound
We have to talk about the animation style. It’s "squash and stretch" on steroids. The animators at Sony decided to ignore realistic physics entirely. This was a polarizing choice back then. Some people thought it looked "cheap" compared to the hyper-realistic hair of Tangled or Toy Story 3.
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They were wrong.
The style is intentional. It mimics the energy of old Muppet sketches or Looney Tunes. This contributes to the high rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs among animation nerds. It has a specific "hand" behind it. Mark Mothersbaugh (of DEVO fame) did the score, and it’s brilliant. It sounds like a sci-fi epic, which makes the sight of a falling taco look even more ridiculous.
Misconceptions About the Sequel
People often lump the first and second movies together when talking about ratings. Don't do that. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) has a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s good, but it didn't have Lord and Miller directing. It feels different. It’s more about "foodimals" (food-animal hybrids) and less about the tight, disaster-movie structure of the first one.
When you see a lower rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs, check to see if the reviewer is actually talking about the sequel or the short-lived TV series. The original 2009 film is the one that holds the "classic" status.
How it Stands Up in 2026
Looking back from 2026, the movie feels weirdly prophetic. A world obsessed with instant gratification? A town that destroys its environment for the sake of "tasty" convenience? It’s a bit on the nose.
But it avoids being preachy. It’s too busy throwing pizza at your face to give you a lecture.
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The rating of cloudy with a chance of meatballs has actually remained remarkably stable over the last decade. It hasn't suffered from "discourse" or "re-evaluation" because it was never trying to be anything other than a great comedy. It’s a "perfect" 90-minute movie. No bloat. No boring subplots. Just a guy, his lab-coat-wearing monkey, and a lot of breakfast food.
Final Verdict on the Rating
If you’re deciding whether to watch it or let your kids dive in, the consensus is clear.
Critics Rating: 86% (Highly Recommended)
Audience Rating: A- (Crowd Pleaser)
Parental Rating: PG (Perfectly safe, minor "food peril")
It’s one of those rare films that actually justifies its existence. It took a simple premise—food falling from the sky—and used it to explore father-son communication barriers and the dangers of ego. That’s a lot of heavy lifting for a movie where a police officer (voiced by Mr. T) has chest hair that can sense danger.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
- Watch the background: Most of the funniest jokes in Cloudy aren't the main dialogue; they are the signs in the background of Swallow Falls or the weird inventions in Flint's bedroom.
- Compare to the book: If you have kids, read the original Judi Barrett book first. It’s a completely different experience, focusing more on the atmosphere and less on the "mad scientist" plot.
- Check the credits: Look for the names Phil Lord and Chris Miller. This was their directorial debut. Seeing where they started helps you understand how they eventually made The LEGO Movie and 21 Jump Street so successful.
- Audio matters: Turn up the volume for Mark Mothersbaugh’s score. It’s a masterclass in how to score a comedy like a high-stakes action thriller.
- Check your local streaming: As of early 2026, the film frequently rotates through platforms like Netflix and Max. It’s almost always available for a cheap rental, and it’s one of the few movies actually worth owning in 4K for the vibrant color palette.
The legacy of Flint Lockwood is secure. Whether you're a parent looking for a movie that won't make your brain rot, or an animation fan studying the roots of modern Sony Animation, this film remains a top-tier choice. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s surprisingly smart.