Where the Wild Things Are Movie Poster

They Roared Their Terrible Roars and Gnashed Their Terrible Teeth!

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (32)

A new poster for Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are is below. The movie itself was written by Dave Eggers, and it’s had a hell of a time making its way through production. There was apparently some test-screening problems, which means that the movie was probably too good for mainstream audiences. Late last year, in fact, I predicted that it would be one of the biggest box-office disappointments of the year, though I suspect it will be a critical favorite.

I still don’t know how they’ll manage to turn a very short book like this into a movie, but I love the Maurice Sendak source material. I don’t even know why. There’s hardly anything there, but the kid goes apeshit every time I read it (I think we’re approaching the 47,677th time) and that seems to be enough reason to love it. And I certainly wouldn’t doubt Eggers’ and Jonze’s ability to capture its spirit onscreen.

It hits theaters in October. Here’s the poster:

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My favorite kids' book since I was a wee lad. I was lucky enough to see the stage production of this when I was little, and I still have one of my stuffed Wild Things I got there. I gave it to my daughter just recently, as she also loves the book.

Posted by: Snath at March 18, 2009 5:08 PM

I don’t even know why. There’s hardly anything there, but the kid goes apeshit every time I read it

My god Dustin, were you never a child? I still remember that book being an all-time favorite top-five for most of my childhood. Maybe you are just too old to have read it as a kid. In that case you might as well just kill yourself. It's really the best option for everyone.

Must have been nice growing up with parents who could read and afford books. *kicks can* I guess I'll go find my revolver now. -- DR

Posted by: the_wakeful at March 18, 2009 5:10 PM

And yes, it was an opera. Well, a "children's opera." I don't remember a lick of the production itself, I just remember going with my godmother to the opera house. Images and feelings, more than anything.

Posted by: Snath at March 18, 2009 5:11 PM

I only vaguely remember reading it as a kid. I'm pretty sure I was working on an assignment for a different class when someone presented this book in my Children's Lit class. I can't recall what happens in the book. But holy hell, I'm weirdly enamored by this poster.

Posted by: JoAnn at March 18, 2009 5:18 PM

When my friends and I would go to the Metreon in San Francisco to see the IMAX movies, we would always make time for the Where the Wild Things Are play area. Sometimes that would be the highlight of the day.

Posted by: DoubleH at March 18, 2009 5:19 PM

I saw this poster earlier today, and it immediately made me think of Sweetums. For as awesome as this movie may turn out to be, it would be infinitely improved with a giant Muppet running after a Studebaker yelling "Wait for me, I wanna go to Hollywood!"

Posted by: Julie at March 18, 2009 5:23 PM

Dustin: Get "Where's My Cow?" by Terry Pratchett. It's a very fun children's book to read. My daughter and I both loved it. Especially if you are a Discworld fan. The illustrations are fantastic.

Posted by: TylerDFC at March 18, 2009 5:30 PM

Wow. This could be the best live action kids flick since Babe, which was robbed of its best picture Oscar.

Posted by: George at March 18, 2009 5:32 PM

And Georgie Boy just reminded me of the year Nicolas Cage won his Oscar. Dustin, if you're done with that revolver, could you just pass it my way?

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at March 18, 2009 5:38 PM

This book has some weirdly haunting parts to it. The line "That night, a forest grew." always sends chills down my spine for no good reason. And the images of all the monsters dancing is on instant memory recall forever and always. If they can get that tone right it will be a beautiful movie.

I briefly had a blue tee shirt from Target with "Where the Wild Things Are" written on it with some of the monster illustrations on the side. It made me sad that more people didn't comment on it.

Posted by: Genny (also Rusty) at March 18, 2009 5:39 PM

I thought it was a movie about Ton Loc. Surely Mr. Loc provides the score.

Posted by: admin at March 18, 2009 5:42 PM

That poster makes me oh so hopeful.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 18, 2009 5:46 PM

I teach a class of two year-olds and they LOVE this book as well. I know it was read to me as a child, though I don't remember it. They love to roll their terrible eyes and gnash their terrible teeth and show their terrible claws. It's exciting to read it as they get older and start contemplating the journey as imaginary rather than thinking that a boat literally comes to get him out of his room. But that's just me dorking out early childhood style. I wonder if the movie will be toddler friendly...probably not so much.

Posted by: Cara at March 18, 2009 5:51 PM

I can't remember ever actually reading this book, but it was always (ALWAYS) in the waiting room of my doctor's office when I was a kid. Every time I see the cover I smell rubbing alcohol and feel the needle-fear induced hysteria begin to set in.

Posted by: Tae at March 18, 2009 6:40 PM

Thanks, Admin. Now I want to shotgun two funky cold medinas. Girl scout cookies for dinner, kids, momma will be locked in the study.

Posted by: slower lower at March 18, 2009 6:51 PM

You know, I think a lot of times the adaptations with really slim sources make the best films: Brokeback Mountain, Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me. I think it's because when a movie is made from your standard 600-page novel, they have to take so much stuff out that often, what's left seems a bit hollow. It seems better when the writer/director is allowed to expand rather than contract, if that makes sense.

Posted by: Sarah at March 18, 2009 7:07 PM

Funny story... my future husband used to work at a local bookstore that had storytime for kids every Saturday morning. Once they read this fantastic book out loud to the kiddies and of course, being the assistant manager, my husband had to dress up as the main monster and dance around while the kids laughed and screamed at him.

This was on a Saturday, so damn well right he was hungover as hell. Imagine his pain and suffering inside that hot costume, piercing headache and all, with children screaming at the top of their lungs.

Baby earned his paycheck that day!

Posted by: Becky Tri-Tip Goddess at March 18, 2009 7:48 PM

We love you so much, we'll eat you right up.

Posted by: gunter at March 18, 2009 7:48 PM

does anybody else want a live-action "harold and the purple crayon"? no? just me?

please?

Posted by: gp at March 18, 2009 8:24 PM

I'd like to see what they'd do with "If You Give a Moose a Muffin."

Posted by: bucdaddy at March 18, 2009 8:25 PM

Maurice Sendak's Little Bear is just the best children's show there is. My whole family adores him.

Posted by: Cindy at March 18, 2009 8:39 PM

This looks ridiculously cute. I can't wait.

Posted by: figgy at March 18, 2009 8:43 PM

I've always loved that book so much. It's the perfect balance between playful and frightful. All in what...? Seven sentences?

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Posted by: Justin at March 18, 2009 11:10 PM

Am I the only one for whom that poster conjures up images of pederastic beast-rape? Yes? Oh, well...sorry.

Posted by: Jim Bob Cooter at March 19, 2009 12:16 AM

I just sincerely hope they capture a little of the darkness...that's what always appealed to me as a lil Smokin...there was just enough chance that he'd be eaten or lost to keep me enthralled.

Posted by: Smokin at March 19, 2009 12:34 AM

Personally I don't know anything about the book. I'll try to look it up and read it and see if it's going to be a good movie. It's enticing though.

Posted by: Eddie at March 19, 2009 5:00 AM

My dad read this to us eleventy-hundred times. He would get very into it, and he was not the most, um, enthusiastic of people, but "Where the Wild Things Are" released his inner beast.

"Let the wild rumpus start!" Rumpus Rumpus Rumpus!!

Posted by: Lee at March 19, 2009 8:47 AM

That is a fucking awesome poster.

Posted by: Seany D at March 19, 2009 11:32 AM

Nice. I have a really good rump-bump-a-bump-bump...bumpus-rumpus...song. After five years of reading this one to the kiddies I'm curious to hear the 'real' wild rumpus (which was effectively entirely up to your imagination, with no text).

I also figured that Max was totally in control at all times. Much like my daughter. And his mom was cool.

Posted by: replica at March 19, 2009 8:15 PM

Ummm, what is up with the shadow highlighting Max's package in the poster? And is To Catch a Predator on their way to my house right now for noticing it?

I'm a children's librarian and there aren't a whole lot of picture books that measure up to WTWTA for drama and intensity when being read aloud. Kids love it, grownups love it. There's a freaking wild rumpus, for christsakes. Who knows what the hell a rumpus is? It just sounds cool.

On another note, reading this book to a preschool storytime was the one and only experience I ever had where a child ran screaming from the room. I'd give Sendak all the credit, but I'm sure my skillful execution contributed.

Posted by: Porkchop at March 20, 2009 12:13 AM

I got this book from my 1st grade teacher as a gift and have managed to keep it for 30 years and gave it to my son who is 4.
We read it at least 2-3 times a week, he loves the fact that it was mine when I was little.

I am glad that Spike Jonze is doing the movie and not some fucking hack like Spielberg or Lucas.

I just hope he gets it right.

Posted by: rick1971 at March 20, 2009 9:14 PM

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