Crocodile Dundee (film series)

Last updated
Crocodile Dundee
Crocodile Dundee film logo.jpg
Official film series logo
Based onCharacters
by Paul Hogan
Starring Paul Hogan
Linda Kozlowski
(See list below)
Release date
1986–2001
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$47,800,000 [1]
Box office$607,202,827

The Crocodile Dundee film series [2] consists of action-comedy films centered on a crocodile hunter named Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee. The movies star Paul Hogan in the title role, over the course of three feature films. Hogan refused several proposals for more Crocodile Dundee films.

Contents

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirector(s)Screenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
Crocodile Dundee September 26, 1986 Peter Faiman Ken Shadie, Paul Hogan & John CornellPaul Hogan John Cornell
Crocodile Dundee II May 25, 1988John CornellPaul Hogan & Brett Hogan Jane Scott & John Cornell
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles April 18, 2001 Simon Wincer Eric Abrams & Matthew Berry Paul Hogan & Lance Hool

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

A New York reporter named Sue Charlton heads to Australia to interview the living legend, known as "Crocodile" Dundee. When she finally finds him in the vast Australian terrain, she is so enthralled with him that she brings him back with her to New York City. In New York, Dundee is amazed by the many wonders of the city life and the interesting people there. It's a whole new way of life for the crocodile hunting adventurer.

Crocodile Dundee II (1988)

Mick "Crocodile" Dundee is just settling into his new way of life, in a home in Manhattan, when a South American drug dealer abducts his girlfriend, Sue. The drug dealer believes that images of his criminal activities, taken by her photographer ex-husband, are now being held by her. The crime boss holds her hostage in New York under threatening pretences, hoping that she'll give up the evidence. The legendary intrepid Dundee is soon on the criminal's trail and, as an expert hunter and adventurer, he aims to rescue his hostage girlfriend.

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)

Dundee, an expert adventurer in the truest sense: a crocodile hunter from the wilds of the Australian Outback, and survivor of the dangers of New York City, now finds he must move to the luxury of Tinseltown - Los Angeles, California - when his wife, Sue, receives a new job as a newspaper bureau chief. "Mick" becomes an amateur undercover investigator when a conspiracy arises surrounding a Hollywood studio and their next big film release.

Future

Following the overwhelmingly positive response to the fake trailers from the Super Bowl commercial campaign, Chris Hemsworth confirmed the possibility of creating a film. In discussing the production on the short, he stated:

"While shooting, Danny McBride and I spoke about if it could be a movie. We started to get worried that if this commercial is as good as we hoped it's going to be, people are going to be disappointed, we're going to have to make a movie. But I had so much fun making this commercial, I'd definitely be open to discussions about it." [3]

Cast and characters

CharacterFilmsMarketing
Crocodile Dundee Crocodile Dundee II Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles Dundee:
The Son of a Legend Returns Home
Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee Paul Hogan
Sue Charlton Dundee Linda Kozlowski
Walter "Wally" Riley Sr. John Meillon
Luis RicoHechter Ubarry
Miguel Juan Fernández de Alarcon
Arnan Rothman Jere Burns
Miloš Drubnik Jonathan Banks
Michael "Mikey" DundeeSerge Cockburn
Brian Dundee Danny McBride
Walter "Wally" Riley Jr. Chris Hemsworth
Lil' Donk Margot Robbie
The Prime Minister Hugh Jackman
J.P. Steele Russell Crowe
Wes Windsong Liam Hemsworth
Chief Jackson Ruby Rose
Dr. Clark Isla Fisher
The Cricket Legend Luke Bracey
Bar PatronChris Carr
Jessica Mauboy Herself

Additional crew and production details

FilmComposerCinematographerEditorProduction companiesDistributing companiesRunning time
Crocodile Dundee Peter Best Russell Boyd David StivenRimfire Films 20th Century Fox
Hoyts Distribution
Paramount Pictures
1 hr 44 mins
Crocodile Dundee II Rimfire Films
Paramount Pictures
1 hr 52 mins
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles Basil Poledouris David BurrTerry BlytheSilver Lion Films
Bungalow Productions
Vision View Entertainment
Universal Pictures
Paramount Pictures
1 hr 28 mins

Reception

Box office performance

FilmRelease dateBox office grossBox office rankingBudgetRef(s)
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America
All time
worldwide
Crocodile Dundee September 26, 1986$174,803,506$153,400,000$328,203,506#253#371$8.8 million [4]
Crocodile Dundee II May 25, 1988$109,306,210$130,300,000$239,606,210#587#570$14 million [5]
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles April 18, 2001$25,635,682$13,802,992$39,438,674#2,859$21.15 million [6]

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Crocodile Dundee 89% (35 reviews) [7] 62 (13 reviews) [8] B+ [9]
Crocodile Dundee II 9% (32 reviews) [10] 41 (12 reviews) [11] B+ [9]
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles 11% (82 reviews) [12] 37 (23 reviews) [13] B- [9]

Home media

Paramount Pictures has released the Crocodile Dundee trilogy on Blu-ray in the U.S. on September 21, 2021. The third film is a debut for Blu-ray release. [14]

Other media

Super Bowl LII commercial

Hogan refused several proposals for more Crocodile Dundee films. [15] In January 2018, two trailers were released online for what was marketed as another film in the series, titled Dundee, with the tagline The son of a legend returns home. The film was said to star Danny McBride as Brian Dundee, the son of the original Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee. The trailers also feature cameo appearances by Australian actors Chris Hemsworth, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie, Isla Fisher, Ruby Rose, Liam Hemsworth, Jessica Mauboy, and Luke Bracey. [16] Various aspects of the campaign made some publications believe that the film was an elaborate hoax. [17] It was later reported that these ads were actually part of a lead up to a Super Bowl commercial for Tourism Australia. [17] McBride and Hemsworth starred in the final commercial, which included Hogan in a cameo. [15] [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slasher film</span> Film subgenre that involves a killer murdering people using blades

A slasher film is a subgenre of horror films involving a killer or a group of killers stalking and murdering a group of people, usually by use of bladed or sharp tools. Although the term "slasher" may occasionally be used informally as a generic term for any horror film involving murder, film analysts cite an established set of characteristics which set slasher films apart from other horror subgenres, such as monster movies, splatter films, supernatural and psychological horror films.

<i>Crocodile Dundee</i> 1986 film by Peter Faiman

Crocodile Dundee is a 1986 action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and in New York City. It stars Paul Hogan as the weathered Mick Dundee, and American actress Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton. Inspired by the true-life exploits of Rod Ansell, the film was made on a budget of under $10 million as a deliberate attempt to make a commercial Australian film that would appeal to a mainstream American audience, but proved to be a worldwide phenomenon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Hogan</span> Australian actor and comedian (born 1939)

Paul Hogan is an Australian actor and comedian. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance as outback adventurer Michael "Crocodile" Dundee in Crocodile Dundee (1986), the first in the Crocodile Dundee film series.

<i>Crocodile Dundee II</i> 1988 film directed by John Cornell

Crocodile Dundee II is a 1988 action comedy film and the second of the Crocodile Dundee film series. It is a sequel to Crocodile Dundee (1986) and was followed by Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001). Actors Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski reprise their roles as Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton, respectively, here shown opposing a Colombian drug cartel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hemsworth</span> Australian actor (born 1983)

Christopher Hemsworth is an Australian actor. He rose to prominence playing Kim Hyde in the Australian television series Home and Away (2004–2007) before beginning a film career in Hollywood. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Hemsworth starred as Thor in the 2011 film of the same name and reprised the role in several subsequent instalments, which established him among the world's highest-paid actors.

<i>Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles</i> 2001 Australian comedy film directed by Simon Wincer

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles is a 2001 action comedy film directed by Simon Wincer and starring Paul Hogan. It is the sequel to Crocodile Dundee II (1988) and the third and final film of the Crocodile Dundee film series. Hogan and Linda Kozlowski reprise their roles as Michael "Crocodile" Dundee and Sue Charlton, respectively. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles and in Queensland. Actor Paul Hogan reported that the inspiration for the storyline came during a tour of Litomyšl, Czech Republic in 1993. It was released on 18 April 2001 in the United States. It grossed $39.4 million worldwide and received negative reviews from critics who called it an unnecessary sequel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrimp on the barbie</span> Australian phrase

"Shrimp on the barbie" is a phrase that originated in a series of television advertisements by the Australian Tourism Commission broadcast in the US and UK starring Paul Hogan from 1984 through to 1990. The full quote spoken by Hogan is "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you", and the actual slogan of the ad was "Come and say G'day".

<i>Almost an Angel</i> 1990 American comedy-drama film by John Cornell

Almost an Angel is a 1990 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by John Cornell and starring Paul Hogan. The original music score was composed by Maurice Jarre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile Dundee (character)</span> Fictional film character

Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee, played by Paul Hogan, is a fictional protagonist in the Crocodile Dundee film series consisting of Crocodile Dundee, Crocodile Dundee II, and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles. The character is a crocodile hunter, hence the nickname and is modeled on Rod Ansell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny McBride</span> American actor (born 1976)

Daniel Richard McBride is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer. The accolades he has received include nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and four Satellite Awards.

<i>Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert</i> 2008 American film

Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert is a 2008 American concert comedy film produced and released by Walt Disney Pictures presented in Disney Digital 3D. It was first released in the United States and Canada for one week beginning on February 1, 2008. The film is directed by Bruce Hendricks and produced by Art Repola.

<i>Childs Play</i> (franchise) American slasher horror franchise

Child's Play is an American slasher media franchise created by Don Mancini. The films mainly focus on Chucky, a notorious serial killer who frequently escapes death by performing a voodoo ritual to transfer his soul into a "Good Guy" doll. The original film, Child's Play, was released on November 9, 1988. The film has spawned six sequels, a television series, a remake, comic books, a video game, and tie-in merchandise. The first, second, and fourth films were box office successes with all of the films earning over $182 million worldwide. Including revenues from sales of videos, DVDs, VOD and merchandise, the franchise has generated over $250 million. It also won a Saturn Award for Best Horror Franchise.

<i>National Lampoons Vacation</i> (film series) American film series

National Lampoon's Vacation film series is a comedy film series initially based on John Hughes' short story "Vacation '58" that was originally published by National Lampoon magazine. The series is distributed by Warner Bros. and consists of five main films, two of which are not sponsored by National Lampoon, and one spin-off. In recent years, the series has been the inspiration for various advertising campaigns featuring some of the original cast members. The series portrays the misadventures of the Griswold family, whose attempts to enjoy vacations and holidays are plagued with continual disasters and strangely embarrassing predicaments.

<i>Dear John</i> (2010 film) 2010 American film

Dear John is a 2010 American romantic war drama film directed by Lasse Hallström, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. It follows the life of a soldier after he falls in love with a young woman. They decide to exchange letters to each other after he is deployed. The film was released in North America on February 5, 2010, by Screen Gems, and received mixed to negative reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Burton filmography</span>

Tim Burton is an American film director, producer, artist, writer, animator, puppeteer, and actor.

<i>Blackhat</i> (film) 2015 film by Michael Mann

Blackhat is a 2015 American action thriller film produced and directed by Michael Mann and starring Chris Hemsworth, Tang Wei, Viola Davis, and Wang Leehom. Hemsworth portrays a convicted hacker offered clemency for helping track down a dangerous cybercriminal. The title refers to the cybersecurity term "black hat," meaning a hacker with malicious intent.

<i>Vacation</i> (2015 film) 2015 American family comedy film

Vacation is a 2015 American road comedy film written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. It stars Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Beverly D'Angelo, Chris Hemsworth, and Chevy Chase. It is the fifth and final theatrical installment of the Vacation film series, serving as a standalone sequel to Vegas Vacation (1997). It is also the second not to carry the National Lampoon name after Vegas Vacation.

Mortal Kombat is an American series of martial arts action films based on the fighting video game series of the same name by Midway Games. The first film was produced by Lawrence Kasanoff’s Threshold Entertainment.

<i>The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee</i> 2020 film directed by Dean Murphy

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee is a 2020 Australian comedy film directed by Dean Murphy, written by Robert Mond and Dean Murphy, and starring Paul Hogan, Rachael Carpani, Jacob Elordi, Charlotte Stent, Nate Torrence, Chevy Chase, John Cleese, Olivia Newton-John, Reginald VelJohnson, Shane Jacobson, Wayne Knight and Kerry Armstrong.

References

  1. "Crocodile Dundee Franchise Box Office History". The Numbers.
  2. McGowan, Michael (February 2, 2018). "Crocodile Dundee 'reboot' ads revealed as tourism campaign at Super Bowl". The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  3. Holmes, Adam (2018-02-06). "Chris Hemsworth Would Be Open To Joining A Real Crocodile Dundee Reboot". CinemaBlend. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  4. "Crocodile Dundee". Box Office Mojo.
  5. "Crocodile Dundee II". Box Office Mojo.
  6. "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles". Box Office Mojo.
  7. "Crocodile Dundee (1986)". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  8. "Crocodile Dundee". www.metacritic.com.
  9. 1 2 3 "Cinemascore :: Movie Title Search". Archived from the original on 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  10. "Crocodile Dundee II (1988)". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  11. "Crocodile Dundee II". www.metacritic.com.
  12. "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  13. "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles". www.metacritic.com.
  14. "The Crocodile Dundee Trilogy Blu-ray". September 21, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Klara, Michael (2018-02-04). "That Crocodile Dundee Reboot: Here's the Whole Story Behind the Movie That Wasn't". Adweek. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  16. Garcia, Arturo (24 January 2018). "Is a 'Crocodile Dundee' Sequel Being Released in 2018?". Snopes. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  17. 1 2 Moran, Rob (24 January 2018). "Crocodile Dundee reboot outed as advertising campaign for Tourism Australia". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  18. McGowan, Michael (4 February 2018). "Crocodile Dundee 'reboot' ads revealed as tourism campaign at Super Bowl". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group plc.