Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Jared Hess, written by Jared and Jerusha Hess, and produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, and Sean Covel. It stars Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite, a nerdy high-school student who deals with several dilemmas: befriending an immigrant who wants to be class president, awkwardly pursuing a romance with a fellow student, and living with his quirky family. Napoleon Dynamite was Hess's first full-length film and is partially adapted from his 2002 short film Peluca. It was acquired at the Sundance Film Festival by Fox Searchlight Pictures, which partnered with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films for the release. It was filmed in 2003 at Preston High School and different areas in Franklin County, Idaho. It debuted at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Most of the situations are loosely based on Hess's life. The total worldwide gross revenue was $46.1 million. The film has since developed a cult following and was voted number 14 on Bravo's 100 funniest films.