How a misunderstood alien invasion became a surprise box office success for DreamWorks
In short: When DreamWorks Animation released Home in 2015, critics were divided, yet audiences flocked to theaters. Based on a children's book, the film follows an outcast alien and a young girl on a global road trip. Despite mixed reviews, the project proved to be a significant financial win for the studio.
The 2015 film Home, directed by Tim Johnson, is a loose adaptation of the 2007 book The True Meaning of Smekday. The narrative centers on Oh, a clumsy alien from the Boov race, and Tip, a twelve-year-old human girl. After the Boov invade Earth and relocate humanity to Australia, Oh and Tip form an unlikely alliance to find Tip's mother. Their journey involves a flying car named Slushious and a high-stakes confrontation with the Gorg, the Boov's long-standing enemies.
Development of the project began in 2008, with DreamWorks Animation securing the rights to the source material. By 2012, the film was officially titled Happy Smekday!, with Jim Parsons and Rihanna attached to the lead roles. The studio eventually rebranded the project as Home and delayed its release from late 2014 to March 2015. This strategic shift aimed to capitalize on a less crowded spring window, mirroring the successful launches of earlier studio hits like The Croods.
Financially, the film performed robustly. Produced on a budget of $135 million, it earned $386 million globally. Its opening weekend in the United States and Canada brought in $52.1 million, surpassing initial industry projections of $30 million to $35 million. While critics offered mixed assessments—often citing a lack of narrative depth or originality—audiences were more receptive, awarding the film an A grade in cinema polls. A spin-off series, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, later expanded the franchise on Netflix from 2016 until 2024.
The film's production was notable for being the final DreamWorks feature to utilize Hewlett-Packard as its primary technology partner before the company split in late 2015. Beyond the screen, the project featured a concept album by Rihanna, which included the lead single Towards the Sun. Despite the critical debate over its creative risks, the film remains a distinct entry in the studio's catalog, balancing colorful, fast-paced animation with themes of friendship and belonging.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Home (2015 film)
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