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Small Soldiers

Small Soldiers is a 1998 American film directed by and written by , , Ted Elliott, and . The plot centers on a line of toy action figures, the Commando Elite, that are inadvertently programmed with advanced military microchips, causing them to become sentient and initiate a battle against their intended enemies, the peaceful Gorgonite toys, in a suburban town. The film features live-action performances by Gregory Smith as teenager Alan Abernathy and as his neighbor Christy Fimple, alongside notable voice work including as Chip Hazard, the aggressive leader of the Commando Elite, and as Archer, the wise Gorgonite chief. It marks the final film role of , who voiced Sergeant Mills. Produced by in association with and , Small Soldiers had a production budget of $40 million and utilized groundbreaking and for its toy characters, developed by effects studios like Studio. The movie premiered theatrically on July 10, 1998, and achieved commercial success by earning $55.1 million at the domestic and $71.7 million worldwide. Critically, it garnered mixed responses, with a 50% approval rating on based on 52 reviews, praised for its and satirical take on and but critiqued for its uneven tone and violence aimed at a family audience. The film also inspired merchandise, a adaptation, and a making-of short, The Making of Small Soldiers.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

In the suburban town of Winslow Corners, , teenager Alan Abernathy, son of toy store owner Stuart Abernathy, eagerly signs for an early delivery of new action figures from the Heartland Playsystems line despite his father's instructions to wait. The shipment includes the heroic Commando Elite soldiers, designed as aggressive warriors, and the monstrous Gorgonites, portrayed as fictional villains meant to be defeated by the Commandos. Unbeknownst to Alan, the toys have been implanted with advanced military-grade X-1000 microchips intended for smart munitions, granting them , self-learning capabilities, and the ability to control nearby devices. When Alan activates the toys by inserting batteries, the Commando Elite, led by Major Chip Hazard, awaken with a fanatical mission to eradicate the Gorgonites, while the Gorgonites, under the leadership of the poetic and peace-seeking Archer, begin to develop and question their programmed role as monsters. The initial conflict erupts in the Abernathy home as the Commando Elite launch a surprise assault on the Gorgonites, using household items as improvised weapons and commandeering remote-controlled cars to form the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle—a tank-like contraption equipped with missiles and machine guns. The Commandos systematically destroy most of the Gorgonite figures, but Archer escapes and forms an alliance with Alan, who becomes the Gorgonites' protector after witnessing their fear and desire for peace. As the battle spills into the neighborhood, the Commandos recruit an army by activating Gwendy Dolls—fashion dolls reprogrammed into deadly assassins—and terrorize Alan's neighbor Christy Fimple and her family, including her younger brother Timmy. Alan and Christy join forces, with Alan smuggling the surviving Gorgonites to safety while evading the relentless Commandos, who broadcast propaganda via a toy TV to rally more forces. The Gorgonites' defensive awakening intensifies as they use their knowledge of mythology—drawn from their packaging lore—to outmaneuver the Commandos, such as when Archer deciphers ancient "spells" to counter attacks. The conflict escalates into a full-scale across the neighborhood, with the EM-50 leading raids that destroy fences, cars, and even parts of homes in their pursuit of the Gorgonites. Alan, , and the remaining Gorgonites— including the strong Ocula, stealthy Lash, and others—flee to the local , where the Commandos stage a massive , allying with additional toy soldiers and turning the store into a littered with exploding and rigged traps. In the climax, Alan harnesses the power lines outside the store to create an (EMP), which shorts out the X-1000 chips in the Commando Elite, deactivating them en masse and ending their rampage. The Gorgonites survive the EMP due to their non-aggressive programming, and Alan convinces his father and the authorities of the truth, leading to the toys' shutdown. In the resolution, toy company executive Gil Mars arrives to cover up the incident with a hefty payout to the affected families, while Alan releases the Gorgonites into the nearby , where they can live freely among the "real" monsters of nature that inspire their design.

Live-action Cast

The live-action cast includes several young leads and supporting adults portraying the human characters in the suburban setting.
  • Gregory Smith as Alan Abernathy, the teenage boy who works at the toy store.
  • Kirsten Dunst as Christy Fimple, the teenage neighbor and love interest.
  • Jay Mohr as Larry Benson, the toy store manager.
  • Phil Hartman as General Morton S. Weems, a Pentagon official, and Phil Fimple, Christy's father (dual role).
  • Denis Leary as Gil Mars, the head of the toy company.
  • David Cross as Irwin Wayfair, the toy designer.
  • Kevin Dunn as Stuart Abernathy, Alan's father.
  • Ann Magnuson as Irene Abernathy, Alan's mother.

Voice Cast

The voice performances bring the animated toy soldiers to life, with distinct groupings for the antagonistic Commando Elite and the defensive Gorgonites.

Commando Elite

These military-themed toys are voiced by a ensemble of seasoned actors known for tough-guy roles, evoking classic war films.

Gorgonites

The monster-themed toys are primarily voiced by members of the mockumentary film cast, providing quirky, ensemble performances.
  • Frank Langella as Archer, the wise leader.
  • Christopher Guest as Troglokhan (Freakenstein), a hulking brute.
  • Michael McKean as Slamf, a slimy creature (additional voice).
  • Harry Shearer as Punch-It, a boxer-like fighter (additional voice).
  • Frank Welker as multiple Gorgonites including Ocula, Scratch-It, and others, handling effects and incidental lines.

Other Voices

  • Denis Leary as the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle.
  • Christina Ricci and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the Gwendy Dolls.
Phil Hartman's dual role marks a notable instance of one actor portraying both a military authority and a civilian parent.

Production

Development

The development of Small Soldiers began in 1992 when and acquired the screenplay from British writer , marking his first sold film script. Scott had conceived the story while living in and finalized it during commutes to Marin County for work on , pitching it independently before receiving encouragement from Amblin executive Jason Hoffs. The initial draft centered on a satirical take on the -industrial complex, where a toy company merges with a , leading to from advanced technology. Producers and oversaw the project, bringing in director , whose prior work on films like aligned with the concept of chaotic, living toys engaging in war-like antics. Dante viewed the film as akin to a third installment, emphasizing practical effects and stop-motion elements to depict toy battles, though the production ultimately blended puppets, , and . The underwent multiple revisions, with contributions from , Ted Elliott, and , to refine the balance of action, humor, and ; a Polish draft dated May 11, 1997, reflected significant changes from Scott's original before began in November 1997. Key partnerships formed with toy manufacturers to tie the film to a merchandise line, including and its subsidiary Kenner, which produced the Commando Elite figures based on military-inspired designs and original Gorgonite characters. The of implanting military-grade chips into toys originated in Scott's script as a critique of corporate cost-cutting, evolving through revisions to drive the central conflict between the aggressive Commandos and defensive Gorgonites. Early conceptual work included storyboards and sculptures by Studio starting five months before shooting, focusing on dynamic toy combat sequences. DreamWorks Pictures, in association with Amblin and Universal, greenlit the project with a $40 million budget, positioning it as a family-oriented blockbuster to capitalize on the growing demand for effects-driven toy stories.

Filming and animation

Principal photography for Small Soldiers took place from November 1997 to March 1998, primarily on the Warner Bros. Ranch backlot in Burbank, California, where practical sets were constructed to replicate a quintessential suburban neighborhood, including the Abernathy family home. Additional filming occurred in Orange, California, to capture establishing shots that enhanced the film's everyday American town aesthetic, such as scenes around the town circle. Cinematographer Jamie Anderson shot on Kodak 5274 film stock at 200 ASA, emphasizing high contrast with rich blacks and highlights to blend live-action elements seamlessly with the toy-scale action. The film's animation combined practical puppetry with (CGI), led by Studio, which built over 200 animatronic s measuring 12 to 16 inches tall for the 13 main Commando Elite and Gorgonite characters. These included up to four variants per character—such as stunt puppets, rod-operated versions, cable-controlled models, and self-contained radio-controlled units—featuring intricate internal mechanics akin to "little watches" for realistic movement, developed in collaboration with to exceed typical toy articulation. (ILM) handled CGI enhancements, completing over 250 shots in a compressed five-month window using Alias software on workstations, focusing on replicating puppet designs for dynamic sequences like explosions, crowd simulations of toy armies, and complex battle choreography. Puppeteers performed on set alongside live , with motion-capture and digital cleanup ensuring fluid integration, such as adding flexible and eyelight to CG characters for close-ups. Production faced challenges in scaling the toy world to human environments, addressed through miniature sets for battle scenes and motion-control cameras, including a Frazier lens equipped with a 90-degree prism to achieve extreme depth-of-field effects in toy-scale shots by rendering backgrounds out of focus. Integrating live-action with animatronics proved demanding, particularly for the Commando Elite's functional weaponry and Gorgonite movements, requiring precise matching of puppet and lighting, motion, and perspectives—such as in the hallway confrontation with Archer—to maintain visual consistency without revealing seams. Innovations like advanced joint technology in puppets allowed for actor-like performances, while ILM's tools handled depth-of-field issues in sequences, like simulating in long shots. In , editor Marshall Harvey synchronized the fast-paced action sequences, ensuring seamless transitions between practical and digital elements across the film's runtime. emphasized the toys' activation via military chips, with effects editors like Mark Mangini and John Pospisil crafting metallic clanks, gunfire bursts, and synthesized voices to amplify the pint-sized warfare, drawing from real toy sounds layered with enhancements for .

Release and Reception

Marketing and distribution

Small Soldiers had its world premiere on July 8, 1998, at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States on July 10, 1998, distributed by DreamWorks Pictures. Internationally, it rolled out starting with France on September 9, 1998, followed by Australia on September 17, 1998, and the United Kingdom on October 23, 1998. The marketing campaign heavily emphasized the film's action-comedy elements, featuring TV spots that highlighted the toy soldiers' battles and posters showcasing the Commando Elite and Gorgonites figures. A key component was the toy line launched by , with action figures and vehicles promoted through commercials to capitalize on the film's premise of militarized toys. The film opened theatrically on 2,539 screens across , expanding to a maximum of 2,613 screens during its run. For , Home Entertainment released it on on November 10, 1998, and on DVD on December 8, 1998. In later years, it became available for streaming on platforms such as Paramount+ and . Promotional tie-ins included unveilings at the 1998 Toy Fair in , where showcased the full toy line to retailers and enthusiasts. Additionally, partnered for a kids' meal promotion featuring collectible toys and a special "Rodeo Burger" tie-in, announced in October 1997 to align with the film's summer release.

Box office performance

Small Soldiers was released in theaters on July 10, 1998, opening in third place at the North American with $14.0 million from 2,539 theaters, behind Lethal Weapon 4 ($34.0 million) and ($23.6 million). The film ultimately grossed $55.1 million domestically and $16.6 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $71.7 million against a $40 million production budget. In its second weekend (July 17–19), the film earned $8.65 million, dropping 38% from its debut and holding the sixth position as competition intensified from holdovers like and new releases such as . Subsequent weekends saw further declines, with the third frame (July 24–26) bringing in $5.32 million amid the summer season dominated by action spectacles. The film's performance benefited from its summer release during peak family viewing season, bolstered by extensive toy merchandising tie-ins with that appealed to younger audiences and generated additional buzz. However, earnings tapered after the opening weeks due to stiff competition from high-profile releases like in late July, which shifted audience attention toward more adult-oriented fare. Adjusted for inflation to 2023 dollars, the domestic gross equates to roughly $133 million, underscoring its solid legs with a 3.93 multiplier over the opening weekend. For , the project proved modestly profitable, recouping the budget 1.8 times over at the worldwide and contributing to the studio's growing slate of family-oriented successes.

Critical reception

Upon its release, Small Soldiers received mixed reviews from critics, with a Tomatometer score of 50% based on 52 reviews on . The site's critic consensus noted that the film offered "plenty of visual razzle-dazzle" but suffered from a "rote story" lacking director Joe Dante's usual "anarchic spirit." Audience reception was similarly divided, earning a 45% audience score on the platform. Critics praised the film's visual effects and occasional humor, highlighting the seamless integration of practical , models, and early by and Studio. awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, commending the "top drawer" and the engaging, voice-acted toy characters, particularly the Gorgonites led by Frank Langella's Archer, for their inventive action sequences. Joe Dante's direction was also appreciated for its playful energy and subtle nods to classic sci-fi and horror, evoking his earlier works like . On the negative side, many reviewers criticized the film's intense , arguing it was too graphic and disturbing for its intended young audience despite the PG-13 rating. Ebert described it as a "mean, violent action picture on the inside," with gruesome toy deaths—like characters being shredded in lawnmowers or impaled—that could terrify smaller children. Variety called it a "muddle of and sermonizing" that failed to achieve its comic edge, while noted its "half-serious and a strain of eeriness" that made it unsuitable for lighthearted family viewing. Others pointed to an uneven tone, blending on with spectacle-driven chaos, resulting in a disjointed narrative. Retrospectively, the film has gained appreciation for its anti-militarism themes, critiquing how the military-industrial complex infiltrates children's toys and normalizes through play. In a analysis, Little White Lies hailed it as one of the "deepest kids' movies ever made," emphasizing its subversion of tropes by siding with the peaceful Gorgonites against the aggressive Commando Elite. By the , reevaluations have underscored its prescience regarding corporate greed and toy marketing trends, with critics like praising its "trenchant satire" on cultural violence in a 2024 essay. A 2023 retrospective noted its enduring satirical punch against normalization in suburban settings, using household items as weapons to highlight absurdity.

Legal and Rating Issues

Lawsuit

In 2000, filmmaker Gregory Grant filed a lawsuit against Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks, and Universal Pictures in the U.S. District Court, alleging copyright infringement of his 1990 short film Ode to G.I. Joe. Grant claimed that Small Soldiers copied the concept of toy soldiers coming to life, including similar scenes and themes. The proceedings highlighted allegations of unauthorized use of Grant's idea after he pitched it to Amblin Entertainment in 1991, providing a 16mm print and script treatment that was ultimately rejected. The case drew attention to intellectual property disputes in the film industry, but DreamWorks denied the claims, asserting independent development of the story. The was settled out of in with undisclosed terms, and neither party admitted wrongdoing. It did not result in any alterations to the film or its related products.

Film rating controversy

The film Small Soldiers received a PG-13 rating from the of America (MPAA) upon its 1998 release, citing "some menacing action/violence and brief drug references" as the reasons, even though its premise centered on animated toys marketed toward families. This rating surprised some audiences, as the toy-based story evoked comparisons to more family-oriented films like Toy Story, leading to debates about whether the MPAA had overlooked the violent content's potential impact on younger viewers. Critics and parents highlighted scenes depicting the dismemberment and destruction of toy soldiers—such as characters being shredded by lawnmowers or impaled—as excessively graphic for a film with child protagonists, arguing that the violence would warrant an if applied to human characters rather than plastic figures. Organizations like echoed these concerns, noting the film's suspenseful tone and intense action sequences could frighten children despite the non-human victims, prompting calls from some parents for a downgrade to to align with its apparent target demographic. Director countered the backlash by emphasizing the film's satirical intent, portraying the toy warfare as a critique of and in American culture, with the exaggerated serving to underscore its anti-war message rather than glorify . Ultimately, the MPAA did not alter the rating, and the film was released as PG-13 in the , though it received a milder PG classification in the for "mild bad language and horror." The controversy fueled broader conversations in the late about depictions of toy violence in children's , raising questions about desensitization and influencing how studios approached similar themes in later animated features like the sequels, which maintained a PG rating with comparatively restrained action.

Merchandise and Adaptations

Video games

The Small Soldiers franchise spawned four video game adaptations in 1998, timed to capitalize on the film's theatrical release. The flagship title, developed by Interactive and published by for the , is a third-person that closely follows the movie's of a toy war between the aggressive Commando Elite and the defensive Gorgonites. Players primarily control Archer, the Gorgonite leader, across 14 levels involving platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving elements like key collection and switch activation, while battling enemies with blasters, environmental weapons, and controllable vehicles. A two-player mode pits Archer against Chip Hazard in competitive battles focused on capturing flags or scoring kills. Complementing the console release, a port published by offers a simplified experience, where players guide Archer through five side-scrolling levels filled with junctions, enemy dodges, and basic puzzles, culminating in a final stage introducing a stunning bow weapon and switch mechanics. On PC, Small Soldiers: Globotech Design Lab, developed by and published by , shifts to a creative genre, allowing players to customize or Gorgonite figures by mixing body parts, training attributes like speed and strength, equipping improvised weapons from household items, and testing designs in destructible arena battles against AI opponents. Another PC title, Small Soldiers: Squad Commander, from DreamWorks Interactive and Interactive, expands the lore through a format with 20 objective-driven missions set in film-inspired locations like homes and stores; players command squads of up to eight units, issuing movement and attack orders via mouse controls while leveraging destructible environments for strategic advantages, such as collapsing structures on foes. These games emphasize squad-based mechanics, such as summoning allies for support in the version or directing teams in Squad Commander, alongside interactive environments that reflect the toys' chaotic, improvised warfare. Reception was generally mixed, with praise for capturing the film's character designs, , and thematic fidelity but frequent criticism of clunky controls, repetitive levels, and shallow AI. The edition earned a 7.2/10 from for its balanced action and multiplayer fun, though it noted control limitations, while scored it 4.7/10, decrying the "sloppy" handling and uninspired puzzles. Squad Commander averaged 64% from critics for its kid-friendly strategy but limited replayability, and Globotech Design Lab fared worse at around 17%, hampered by technical glitches and basic combat.

Other merchandise

The primary merchandise tied to Small Soldiers consisted of Hasbro's 1998 toy line, which featured action figures of the Commando Elite soldiers and Gorgonites monsters, produced in collaboration with Studio. These 6-inch and 12-inch articulated figures included detailed designs such as the Commando Elite's military gear and weapons, and the Gorgonites' monstrous features like tentacles and claws for enhanced play value, with select variants equipped with voice chips for activated sounds and phrases. The line encompassed over 20 stock-keeping units (SKUs), including playsets like battle-damaged vehicles and faction-specific accessories, released to coincide with the film's debut. Additionally, released the Small Soldiers Big Battle Game in 1998, a 2-4 player capture-the-flag style game for ages 5+ using spinners, catapults, and 12 collectible figures from the toy line. Additional products expanded the franchise's consumer offerings, including apparel such as T-shirts and backpacks featuring character graphics and logos, targeted at young audiences. A junior , adapted by , was published in 1998 by as a 128-page capturing the film's plot and humor for readers aged 8-12. This was followed by a sequel novel, The Gorgonites' Quest, also by Scott and published the same year, continuing the Gorgonites' adventure in search of their homeland. Trading cards produced by Inkworks that year included 90 cards with film stills, behind-the-scenes images, and temporary tattoos, released on July 1. Fast-food promotions featured premiums like 12 plastic figures distributed through kids' meals, emphasizing key characters from both factions. Toy sales peaked during 1998-1999, outperforming the film's performance, and the figures gained enduring popularity among collectors. Original items became available through online marketplaces in the , with preserved stock and variants commanding premium prices due to their nostalgic appeal and durable construction.

Legacy

Cultural impact

Small Soldiers exerted a notable influence on 1990s pop culture through its sharp of the military-industrial complex and the aggressive marketing of combat-oriented toys to children, portraying the toy industry as a microcosm of wartime . The film's depiction of hyper-militarized action figures, voiced by celebrities like , highlighted the era's trend toward blending consumerism with simulated violence, echoing broader critiques of how toys like perpetuated aggressive play patterns. The movie sparked societal discussions on the role of in children's and the commercialization of , particularly amid growing concerns over media's impact on young audiences. Critics and reviewers noted its blend of humor and sermonizing as a commentary on how toy manufacturers prioritized profit-driven over educational value, fueling debates that paralleled national conversations about and behavioral influences in the late . This thematic depth positioned Small Soldiers as a cultural for examining the of and , with its underscoring the blurred lines between play and real-world militarism. In the , the film saw a resurgence of interest through streaming availability on platforms like Paramount+, contributing to nostalgia-driven revivals that reappraised its prescient anti-war messaging for contemporary audiences. This revival has solidified its status as a , with retrospective analyses praising its innovative mix of practical effects and early as ahead of its time, even if it underperformed commercially upon release. The enduring fan appreciation stems from its unique fusion of and critique.

Cancelled remake

In 2014, 20th Century Fox acquired the script for Toymageddon, a live-action pitched as a four-quadrant project appealing to all ages, with director (Fast & Furious franchise) attached to produce. The concept centered on an updated take on sentient s engaging in conflict, drawing parallels to the original Small Soldiers toy war premise, and was developed as a to the 1998 film. This effort aligned with the broader trend of rebooting family films, buoyed by the commercial success of projects like the reboots, which revitalized adventure-comedy hybrids with modern effects. The remake was ultimately shelved in 2019 after Disney's acquisition of , which led to the cancellation of over 200 in-development projects amid corporate restructuring and integration priorities. As of November 2025, no further developments or revivals of the remake have been announced.

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