The Croods

The Croods is currently streaming in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 7,599 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Nicolas Cage leads a cast with real comic timing. Available now on BINGE — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The Croods is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Croods from the crowd. The prehistoric Croods family live in a particularly dangerous moment in time. Patriarch Grug, his mate Ugga, teenage daughter Eep, son Thunk, and feisty Gran gather food by day and huddle together in a cave at night. When a more evolved caveman named Guy arrives on the scene, Grug is distrustful, but it soon becomes apparent that Guy is correct about the impending destruction of their world. The chemistry Nicolas Cage and Emma Stone bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. It hit screens in 2013. The Croods earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Croods respects your intelligence. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Nicolas Cage is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.