{ "id": "epdkyfv0ab", "slug": "diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film", "title": "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": 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of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2011 American family comedy film directed by David Bowers, the second film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.", "snippet": "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2011 American family comedy film directed by David Bowers, the second film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.animated-family-franchise-entries.comedy-and-adventure-entries", "markdown": "# Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)\n\n**Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules** is a 2011 American live-action family comedy film directed by David Bowers, adapted from [Jeff Kinney](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeff-kinney)'s 2008 novel *[Rodrick Rules](https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules)*, the second book in the *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* series. It is the second film in the live-action franchise, following *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* (2010), and follows middle-schooler [Greg Heffley](https://www.edgepedia.org/greg-heffley) as his parents force him to spend quality time with his older brother and chief tormentor, Rodrick.[1](https://family.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-2-rodrick-rules) • [2](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| US release | March 25, 2011, wide, by 20th Century Fox[3](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/) |\n| Director / writers | David Bowers; screenplay by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah[2](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography) |\n| Producers | Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson (Color Force, Dune Entertainment)[2](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography) |\n| Lead cast | Zachary Gordon (Greg Heffley), Devon Bostick (Rodrick), Rachael Harris (Susan), Robert Capron (Rowley Jefferson), Steve Zahn (Frank)[2](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography) |\n| Box office | $52,698,535 domestic; $72,526,996 worldwide; $23,751,502 opening weekend[3](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/) |\n| Rating | PG for some mild rude humor and mischief[4](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Diary-of-A-Wimpy-Kid-Rodrick-Rules) |\n| Critical scores | Metacritic 51/100 from 23 critics; Rotten Tomatoes 48% from 98 reviews[5](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-2-rodrick-rules/critic-reviews/) • [6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Story and source\n\nThe film adapts *Rodrick Rules*, published February 1, 2008 as the second book in Jeff Kinney's series, in which Greg Heffley tries to keep an embarrassing incident secret while his older brother Rodrick, who knows everything about it, torments him; Rodrick's rock band Löded Diper features in the story.[7](https://wimpykid.com/books/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/) In the film, Greg enters seventh grade believing he has mastered middle school and left the Cheese Touch behind, but his mother Susan tries to force the brothers to bond, giving Rodrick the chance to cut Greg down to size.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules) Greg also pursues Holly Hills, a new girl in town, while Rodrick pursues dreams for his band at the school talent show.[8](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-mar-25-la-et-wimpy-kid-20110325-story.html) • [6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules)\n\n## Production\n\nDavid Bowers, previously an animator and director of animated features such as *Flushed Away*, made his live-action debut with this film.[9](https://www.screendaily.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/5025365.article) The crew included cinematographer Jack Green, editor Troy Takaki, production designer Brent Thomas, and composer Edward Shearmur.[2](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography) The film was shot in Vancouver.[9](https://www.screendaily.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/5025365.article) Bowers used his animation background to bring Kinney's stick-figure drawings to life whenever the diary is referenced, and the film includes animated sequences and voiceover narration.[9](https://www.screendaily.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/5025365.article) • [4](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Diary-of-A-Wimpy-Kid-Rodrick-Rules)\n\n## Release and box office\n\nThe film opened in the United States on March 25, 2011 in 3,167 theaters, earning $23,751,502 on opening weekend, which was 45.1% of its eventual domestic total.[3](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/) • [4](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Diary-of-A-Wimpy-Kid-Rodrick-Rules) It finished with $52,698,535 domestically (72.7% of the total) and $19,828,461 internationally, for $72,526,996 worldwide, against a budget [Box Office Mojo](https://www.edgepedia.org/box-office-mojo) lists at $21,000,000.[3](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/) The Numbers reports slightly different figures, $73,695,194 worldwide against an $18,000,000 production budget, and estimates $20,020,821 in domestic DVD and Blu-ray sales.[4](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Diary-of-A-Wimpy-Kid-Rodrick-Rules) The earliest release was March 17, 2011 in Singapore; the United Kingdom opened May 27, 2011, where it grossed $8,507,987, the largest international market.[3](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/) • [10](https://filmeducation.org/teachingtrailers/2011/docs/Teaching_Trailers_Pri_Lesson_Plans.pdf) The British Board of Film Classification classified the cinema version at 99 minutes and the home entertainment version at 95 minutes.[11](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mze5mje)\n\n## Reception\n\nCritical response was mixed. Metacritic assigned a score of 51 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-2-rodrick-rules/critic-reviews/) On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 48% Tomatometer from 98 reviews, with the critics consensus calling it \"moderately witty and acceptably acted\" and \"not much worse than the first installment\"; the audience score was 62%.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules) Reviewers generally credited the focus on the [sibling relationship](https://www.edgepedia.org/sibling-relationship) with giving the sequel more direction than the first film. Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the movie's swiftest pleasures came from the cast, including Bostick's \"devilish ennui\" and the comic work of Harris and Zahn as the parents.[8](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-mar-25-la-et-wimpy-kid-20110325-story.html) Scott Tobias of The A.V. Club judged the sibling conflict a gain in direction but found the spats and bonding sessions too calculated to yield fresh observations.[12](https://www.avclub.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-1798167738) Screen International's Brent Simon praised the lively performances and called the script solid, while noting the demonstrative acting and tonal underlining typical of family films.[9](https://www.screendaily.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/5025365.article)\n\n## Later adaptations\n\nThe story was remade as an animated film with the same title, released on Disney+ on December 2, 2022. Directed by Luke Cormican and written and produced by Jeff Kinney, it featured the voices of Brady Noon, Ethan William Childress, and Edward Asner, and included the original song \"Can You Smell Us Now\" with lyrics by Kinney.[13](https://press.disneyplus.com/media-kits/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules) The 2011 live-action film remains available on Disney+.[14](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-fa247e48-c1b0-4683-8692-b00a78008a3e)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, 20th Century Studios Family](https://family.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-2-rodrick-rules)\n2. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67068-DIARY-OF-A-WIMPY-KID--RODRICK-RULES?cxt=filmography)\n3. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1650043/)\n4. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), The Numbers](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Diary-of-A-Wimpy-Kid-Rodrick-Rules)\n5. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules critic reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-2-rodrick-rules/critic-reviews/)\n6. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules)\n7. [Rodrick Rules (book), Wimpy Kid official site](https://wimpykid.com/books/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/)\n8. [Movie review: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules', Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-mar-25-la-et-wimpy-kid-20110325-story.html)\n9. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules review, Screen Daily](https://www.screendaily.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules/5025365.article)\n10. [Trailer 3: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Film Education](https://filmeducation.org/teachingtrailers/2011/docs/Teaching_Trailers_Pri_Lesson_Plans.pdf)\n11. [Diary Of A Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules, BBFC](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mze5mje)\n12. [Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, The A.V. Club](https://www.avclub.com/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-1798167738)\n13. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules media kit, Disney+ Press](https://press.disneyplus.com/media-kits/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules)\n14. [Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-fa247e48-c1b0-4683-8692-b00a78008a3e)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Franchise and series entries as standalone works › Animated and family franchise film entries › Comedy and adventure entries*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)](https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film](https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011 film)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules-2011-film. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a 2011 American family comedy film directed by David Bowers, the second film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series." }