Diary of a Wimpy Kid (film series)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid was released March 19, 2010,[2] as it moved up from a previously scheduled April 2 release date.[3] Principal production began on September 21, 2009, and was completed on October 16, 2009. The film was directed by Thor Freudenthal and starred Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Robert Capron as Rowley Jefferson, Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley, Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley, Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley, Connor and Owen Fielding as Manny Heffley, Chloë Grace Moretz as Angie Steadman, Grayson Russell as Fregley, Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell, and Karan Brar as Chirag Gupta. It is the only film in the series to be directed by Freudenthal. The musical score was composed by Theodore Shapiro. The film received mixed reviews from critics.

Rodrick Rules is the second film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. It was released on March 25, 2011, and is based on the second book, Rodrick Rules with scenes from The Last Straw. Principal photography began on August 23, 2010, and was completed on October 27, 2010, with filming taking place in Vancouver and New Westminster. Rodrick Rules was directed by David Bowers, with Zachary Gordon reprising his role as Greg Heffley. New main characters include Holly Hills (Peyton List), Grandpa (Terence Kelly), and Bill Walter (Fran Kranz). Edward Shearmur composes the original score for the film. The film also received mixed reviews from critics.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is the third film in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series. It was released on August 3, 2012, and is based on the third book The Last Straw and the fourth book Dog Days. The film was directed by David Bowers and features the same familiar cast of characters, introducing a few new ones, and also focusing on lesser characters not elaborated on in previous films, including Frank Heffley (Steve Zahn), Mr. Jefferson (Alf Humphreys) and Holly Hills (Peyton List). Dog Days is the last film to feature the original cast, as they had outgrown their roles after filming wrapped. The film also received mixed reviews from critics.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul was released on May 19, 2017, and is the first film to feature an entirely new cast. Jason Drucker and Charlie Wright portray Greg and Rodrick Heffley, and Tom Everett Scott and Alicia Silverstone as their parents, Frank and Susan.[4] The film follows Greg and his brother Rodrick being dragged into a family road trip to their great grandmother's house for her 90th birthday. Greg however, sees this as an opportunity to meet his internet idol Mac Digby and get people to forget about him being dubbed as a meme known as "Diaper Hands". The film was panned by critics and audiences.

An animated short film set after the events of Dog Days, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown, was released on the home media release of Dog Days in 2012. The short is told through Greg's point of view as he explains his experience with humor and comedy. Zachary Gordon reprises his role as Greg Heffley along other cast members voicing their characters from the films in minor roles.

On December 10, 2020, it was announced on Disney Investors Day that an animated film based on the books would premiere on Disney+ sometime in 2021.[5]