Short and sweet review just like the movie. Misfit pumpkin whose not accepted by other more traditionally shaped pumpkins in the patch has to overcome bla bla bla. It's a poor man's Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. But it's message of acceptance is one that you'd appreciate your child hearing. Definitely a tad juvenile....I'd say 2-7 years old would be the best audience. Animation had a cheap feel to it but my son watched this multiple times over the years and tonight I'm watching it in its entirety with him. Yet he still seems entertained at age 9, so how bad could it be? Sometimes OK....is OK I guess.
20 Reviews
It's a low-budget kids movie, and that means everything you'd expect it to.
d-snake111 October 2019
Spookley is about what you'd expect from a direct-to-video kids movie made on a relatively low budget.
It's fine. That's about the line I draw. The songs are fine. The story is fine. The animation isn't quite fine. Overall, it's fine.
The movie, in general, is about not judging people based on their appearances or other shallow reasons. That's a fine moral, and I don't really have any problems with kids' movies having a clearly defined (and stated) moral.
There are some issues, however. First, they play off two characters for laughs due to the fact they are a little 'slow'. It's strange to have this movie about acceptance have two characters playing with qualities that are often played off for laughs in a damaging way to people who really may be different.
Other than that, the biggest issue is how simple it all is. Granted, that's not a bad thing for a movie for toddlers, but there are a lot of kids' shows on Disney Jr. or Nick Jr. that feel a little more complex in about a quarter of the runtime this one had.
Again, it's fine. If you're struggling to find something Halloween-related to watch with your young kids but don't want them downright terrified for hours, this is probably a fine bet.
It's fine. That's about the line I draw. The songs are fine. The story is fine. The animation isn't quite fine. Overall, it's fine.
The movie, in general, is about not judging people based on their appearances or other shallow reasons. That's a fine moral, and I don't really have any problems with kids' movies having a clearly defined (and stated) moral.
There are some issues, however. First, they play off two characters for laughs due to the fact they are a little 'slow'. It's strange to have this movie about acceptance have two characters playing with qualities that are often played off for laughs in a damaging way to people who really may be different.
Other than that, the biggest issue is how simple it all is. Granted, that's not a bad thing for a movie for toddlers, but there are a lot of kids' shows on Disney Jr. or Nick Jr. that feel a little more complex in about a quarter of the runtime this one had.
Again, it's fine. If you're struggling to find something Halloween-related to watch with your young kids but don't want them downright terrified for hours, this is probably a fine bet.
It's a kids movie, but that doesn't make up for it's mediocrity.
legojuice22 December 2021
The thing is, this movie basically has almost no substance or plot whatsoever. The summary of it is: Pumpkin olympics on a farm. Thats it. The characters are all weird or creepy, like how a spider literally hits on a bat, or how theres 2 pumpkins that are conjoined twins. Not only that, but the movie also seems to be a bit biased on characters (or it's just the scarecrow's stupidity). Thing is, Big Tom and Little Tom (the conjoined twins) attend the pumpkin olympics, but their conjoinedness makes them unable to do some things that single pumpkins can do. As a result they get disqualified for it and funny it may be, it was more funny to see the scarecrow being entirely stupid, rather than me going full on schadenfruede on the 2 pumpkins. But when weather changes in a blink of an eye, and fire somehow forms in the rain, this movie follows physics on a whole other level, to the point where it's irritating and it makes you think: "If so and so character just did so and so like, 2 seconds longer they wouldn't need Spookley to intervene and save them". Also as much as how thunderstorms can produce wind speeds high enough to knock pumpkins around, it doesn't make sense because even if it's the whole "cartoon not being real", I would expect the whole farm to be wiped out in like 2 minutes.
VERY Loosely Based on the Book
catosbabydoll3 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I read this book to my son around Halloween time, and when I saw the movie's thumbnail, I thought we'd give it a try. Now, I enjoy lots of different kids shows and movies, especially ones I've grown up on. However, this one was TERRIBLE from the beginning: the graphics are mind-numbingly poor, the songs unnecessary and annoying, the voice acting nauseating, and the storyline too askew to make up. I don't know what went through the production team's heads to make this movie an awful idea, but I should've been making the decision to be close to book as possible; it REALLY would've made things palatable. Otherwise, I'd have thrown away their pitch.
The book is great at showing us that we all have a purpose, even if we can't picture what it is yet. It also emphasizes the "never judge a book by its cover" cliché, and tam hat we ought to look at the heart of one another instead of how we look externally.
The movie spends its 95% out of its roughly 60 minute (ish) time with filler and deter from the book: there are no main or secondary characters with the bats, spiders, or scarecrow; there are no other vegetables or fruits as characters, no love interests, no olympics, no fires, etc. The farmer doesn't even do what the book's climax does: instead of taking Spookley's unique shape to harvest his seeds and plant new varieties of pumpkin resulting in a beautiful display that people love, he just turns him into a jack-o-lantern...that's it?!?! The only part that's matched to the book is how he got made fun of for his angled shape, but not in sing-song style.
If my son desires to watch this, I catch up on sleep or do something productive away from the TV...I honestly can't stand it...and please note, I LOVE most kids movies and shows, especially ones I've grown up on to pass down and reminisce with my little family. This movie can't be one of them...it's just one I cannot stomach or recommend to anyone...it's seriously THAT bad, but watch at your own risk...it's 60 min that I'll never get back :/
A poorly made Roudolf rip-off...but for Halloween
jcass-7894022 September 2019
This movie is supposed to be all about not judging someone based on their appearance but is nothing but rip-offs and lazy "humor" even by toddler standards. They have TWO "slow" or intellectually challenged characters that are played for laughs which again is lazy and runs against the "don't judge" message. They have TWO Joe Pesci from Goodfellas rip-off characters. They also rip-off the Olympic games for some reason. Terrible songs, terrible animation, terrible voice acting. My young child thought it was "okay" and I thought it was a very long 45 minutes.
Spookly is hot garbage.
fagill10 October 2023
At my school system, it is required to watch Spookly EVERY YEAR, K-12. While that is a problem with my school system, it would be better if I didn't vomit every time I saw this dumpster fire. The graphics are comparable to Super Mario 64, the plot is convoluted. The only thing that tries to redeem this is the voice acting. The "Disability" plot is a little too deep for grade schoolers, and the "Jack-A-Lymipcs" are just filler, and have no point other to add plot points. Several students agree with me on these points. Again, I may just be a tired student bored with this movie and have grown to resent this movie.
why?
aarushsutrave2 December 2020
OK this movie is absolutely unnatural. why the heck is the pumpkin a square. Who comes up with the idea of a messed up pumpkin and decides that it will be bullied for being abnormal. On top of that why can the plants talk and move by themselves. Are they sentient? i would rather watch a 12 hour long documentary of a still image of a plant. This movies thoroughly disturbs me and i cant get the sentient pumpkins out of my nightmares. So whatever you do, please do not watch this horrible movie
Spooklee the Square Masterpiece
MisterJuggins17 January 2009
This is my favourite children's film since Thomas And The Magic Railroad. My three year old likes it too but not as much as me. The story of a pumpkin who is held back from success because of his shape, this is an absolute must-see! There are very few spooky cartoons that work for the under-5 age group (Scooby Doo, of course), and fewer still than manage to do something interesting with Hallowe'en, but Spooklee hits the mark. It manages to celebrate the festival without being in any way disturbing, but is not saccharine either. I only bought it because it was going cheap in a Woolworth's clear-out but even if I'd paid full whack I wouldn't have been disappointed.
Adult or kid standard?
Review4U1 November 2020
We've all been pretty spoiled by Disney/Pixar, DreamWorks, etc. This short feature is something my kids have been enjoying for several years now. It has a good message (comparable to the Rudolph story), there's no political angle, and has some fun music interludes. I won't bore anyone with some drawn out critique on why I think this doesn't meet my standards. It doesn't matter. It's not the best holiday cartoon, but it's certainly not the worst. My kids like it and there's nothing controversial about it. End of story.
A must see for all young kids
tonytonia10 November 2018
Spookley
rthrothingysucks26 October 2021
Spooky the square GOAT
gavinrickeberg17 October 2022
Nothing brings the spooky season vibes quite like spookily the square pumpkin. It was a staple in all of our childhoods. The themes of this wonderful show help kids to understand the importance of including everyone and being kind to others. Spookily could not help the fact that he was square yet he was able to overcome his disabilities and save the farm. Spooky the square pumpkin is the Jack-O-Lymipcs hall of fame and we all need to put some respect on spooky's name. The fact that people would vote this blessed show a 1/10 is comical. If you dont like spookily it is indeed a YOU problem. Long live the pumpkin king.
For what it is......
bengottschalk-1289729 November 2019
It's not good for anyone over the age of about 5 or 6 but for what it's meant for it's "great". I fell you can't legitimately criticize this "movie". If your a teacher it's only ten bucks so throw this sucker on on Halloween.
spectacular movie i have ever seen
corrigansiena29 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I think the plot of this movie is spectacular, show-stopping even. The way the pumpkins all realize spookleys worth at the end of the movie really ties up the plot and leaving no further questions. Spookelys character development also enhances the film as you see him develop self worth throughout the film. Any side plot is not distracting, and adds to the original plot of the movie. 10/10 movie, truly amazing.
A Masterpeice
judehanchey16 September 2023
A beautifully crafted tale of enduring hardship in a world where you are apart from the rest of the world. This cultural masterpiece is full of heart trenching and emotionally moving musical numbers that will cause you to jump from your seats. This movie is one that we should all hold in highest esteem, one of the great saints of the film industry. I would, from the bottom of my heart, recommend this movie to any in all in need of a life changing experience. This story is interweaved with dense themes of happiness, joy, struggle, and growing up. Although words do not do it justice, this description is 100% accurate.
Memorable
skimpus28 October 2022
When you think of halloween movies, what do you think of? Movies that include horror and violence? Surreality? Well there are much more kid friendly titles that occupy the DVD shelves in the stores. Spooklye the Square Pumpkin is one of them. About two years ago I watched this film, and on Nick JR. I believe last year. When I watched this movie I was blown away by the zany charactes, and the zesty storyline. It's funny, the music is catchy, and the characters steal your heart. But if there are so many low ratings on this grand film, then why do I praise it so? Well, it is because I realize the moral judgements of this film. Yes, this movie is for kids and the animation has aged, but does that really stop it from being a Halloween classic? No! I think this is the greatest Halloween film ever produced. If you have kids, watch this movie. If you don't have kids, watch this movie. If you had a miscarriage, watch this movie. It does not matter. Watch this movie for yourself and soul - Skimpy.
Adorable
Loribinoc-16-33547814 December 2020
My daughter absolutely loves this one and the music ( I don't care for the music) Bottom line the story is cute with a great message! My lo watched this as many times as it aired on our cable network so I'd say we saw this about 30 times during Halloween season. If you have a child under 3 I bet they'll really enjoy the cartoon.
why
samee-910382 June 2021
Simple premise, catchy songs, big message
chrisminutolo20 September 2019
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