The fictional animated singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian have appeared in eight feature-length films since their debut.
Films Film U.S. release date Director(s) Producer(s) Writer(s) Composer Productions Distributors Theatrical The Chipmunk Adventure Janice Karman Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Randy Edelman Bagdasarian Productions The Samuel Goldwyn Company Alvin and the Chipmunks Tim Hill Jon Vitti & Will McRobb & Chris Viscardi Christopher Lennertz Bagdasarian ProductionsRegency EnterprisesFox 2000 Pictures 20th Century Fox The Squeakquel Betty Thomas Jon Vitti and Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger David Newman Chipwrecked Mike Mitchell Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger Mark Mothersbaugh The Road Chip Walt Becker Randi Mayem Singer and Adam Sztykiel Untitled reboot film Big Shot Pictures Direct-to-video Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein Kathi Castillo John Loy Mark Watters Bagdasarian ProductionsUniversal Cartoon Studios Universal Studios Home VideoUniversal Pictures Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks Jerry Rees Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Janice Karman Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Bagdasarian Productions
Theatrical animated film
The Chipmunk Adventure (1987)
When David Seville goes off to Europe on a business trip, the Chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, are left at home with their babysitter, Miss Miller. While the three are playing an arcade game of Around the World in Thirty Days with the Chipettes, Alvin and Brittany argue over which would win an actual race around the world, since Brittany beat Alvin in the video game. Diamond smugglers Claudia and Klaus Furschtein overhear the conversation and approach the children, telling them that they will provide them with the means for a real race around the world by hot air balloon, with the winner receiving $100,000.
Theatrical live-action films Original series Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
In a tree farm, three musically inclined chipmunks, Alvin (Justin Long), the mischievous troublemaker, Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler), the smart one in the trio, and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) the chubby sweethearted chipmunk, find their tree cut down and are transported to Los Angeles. Once there, they meet frustrated songwriter David Seville (Jason Lee), and despite a poor house-wrecking first impression, they impress him with their singing talent. Seeing the opportunity for success, both human and chipmunks make a pact for them to sing his songs. While that ambition proves a frustrating struggle with the difficult trio, the dream does come true after all. However, that success presents its own trials as their unscrupulous record executive, Ian Hawke (David Cross), plans to break up this family to exploit the boys. Can Dave and the Chipmunks discover what they really value amid the superficial glamour around them?
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
Pop sensations Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) end up in the care of Dave Seville's (Jason Lee) twenty-something cousin Toby (Zachary Levi). The boys must put aside music super stardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes—Brittany (Christina Applegate), Jeanette (Anna Faris) and Eleanor (Amy Poehler). Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)
Dave (Jason Lee), the Chipmunks, and the Chipettes enjoy fun and mischief on a luxury cruise before their seafaring vacation takes a detour to an uncharted island. The harder Alvin (Justin Long) and friends search for a way back to civilization, the more obvious it becomes that they aren't alone on this secluded island paradise.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015)
Through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) come to believe that Dave (Jason Lee) is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami...and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother.
Reboot series Untitled reboot (2028) In July 2026, it was announced that Brian Robbins had acquired a 25% stake in Bagdasarian Productions, with plans to reboot the series with a new theatrical film in 2028.
Direct-to-video animated films
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999)
When the Chipmunks take a break from their concert, they get lost, and eventually get locked inside the park. They find their way to the "Frankenstein's Castle" attraction, where a real Dr. Victor Frankenstein is working on his monster. The monster is brought to life, and the doctor sends it in pursuit of the Chipmunks. In their escape, the monster retrieves Theodore's dropped teddy bear. Now it's up to the Chipmunks to get back his teddy bear and do something to the monster.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000)
When Alvin has nightmares of meeting the Wolfman, which led him waking up screaming in horror, Simon and Dave conclude that Alvin's been watching too many horror films at night. Alvin says that it is because their new neighbor, Lawrence Talbot, creeps him out and speculates that he is hiding something. Theodore is having trouble with Nathan, a bully, and will not go to the principal, who plans to retire due to Alvin's daily mishaps, for help; Alvin sticks up for him, however.
Direct-to-video live-action films Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks (2003) La-Lu, a friend of David Seville, has put up a banner saying "Welcome Chipmunks" on the porch of her magic cottage. One of her friends, Gilda (a talking pessimistic cockatoo) believes that having children around is a bad idea. PC (a talking laid back frog with a surfer dude accent who believes he is one kiss away from being Prince Charming) says that his mom used to say "nothing warms up a home like children's laughter". Dave arrives with Alvin, Brittany, Simon, Jeanette, Theodore, and Eleanor. Dave needs the weekend to himself to write a new song, and La-Lu is happy to have five pre-schoolers and a baby stay with her and her friends. Sam and Lou, two gophers, report to the viewers at home about the feelings the characters are experiencing via going into their heads and viewing an abstract inner visual manifestation of what the characters are thinking and or feeling. Alvin doesn't like that Dave is gone, and La-Lu explains that she felt the same way when she was little and reassures him that Dave will return for him and the others soon.
Reception Box office performance
The live action animated films are the highest-grossing live-action/animated film series and 6th highest-grossing musicals film series of all time. The first film ranks as the 7th highest grossing live-action/animated film of all time, with its sequels being ranked 4th, 11th, and 22nd of all time.
Film Release date Revenue Box office ranking Budget U.S. and Canada Other territories Worldwide U.S. and Canada WorldwideThe Chipmunk Adventure$6,804,312 $6,804,312#5,807#8,349 Alvin and the Chipmunks$217,326,974 $148,025,572$365,352,546 #177 #370$60 million Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel$219,614,612$223,525,393$443,140,005#169#269$75 million Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked$133,110,742$209,584,693$342,695,435#468#403$75 million Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip$85,886,987$148,911,649$234,798,636 #899#627$90 million Total $662,743,627 $730,047,307 $1,392,790,934$300 million
Critical and public response The live action films received negative reviews from critics, though audiences positively responded to these films. Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore The Chipmunk Adventure 75% (8 reviews) Alvin and the Chipmunks 28% (109 reviews) 39 (23 reviews) A Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel 20% (84 reviews) 41 (20 reviews) A Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked 12% (82 reviews) 24 (19 reviews) B+ Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip 15% (67 reviews) 33 (19 reviews) A−
Cast and crew Cast List indicator A dark gray cell indicates the character was not featured in the film.
A indicates a performer stood in as a characters singing voice. Characters Theatrical films Direct-to-video films The Chipmunk Adventure Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel Chipwrecked The Road Chip Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks Chipmunks Alvin Seville Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Justin Long Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Simon Seville Matthew Gray Gubler Steve Vining Steve Vining Steve Vining Alan Tudyk Theodore Seville Janice Karman Jesse McCartney Janice Karman Janice Karman Janice Karman Janice Karman Frank Welker Brittany Miller rowspan="6" Christina Applegate Janice Karman Janice Karman Jeanette Miller Anna Faris Janice Karman Eleanor Miller Amy Poehler Kaley Cuoco Janice Karman Humans David "Dave" Seville Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Jason Lee Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Miss Beatrice Miller Dody Goodman Mary Kay Bergman Claudia Furschtein Susan Tyrrell Klaus Furschtein Anthony De Longis Native Chief Frank Welker Inspector Jamal Ken Sansom Ian Hawke David Cross Claire Wilson Cameron Richardson Gail Jane Lynch Toby Seville Zachary Levi Dr. Rubin Wendie Malick Julie Ortega Anjelah Johnson Ryan Edwards Kevin G. Schmidt Xander Chris Warren, Jr. Jeremy Smith Brando Eaton Zoe Jenny Slate Captain Correlli Andy Buckley Agent James Suggs Tony Hale Miles Josh Green Samantha Kimberly Williams-Paisley Ashley Grey Bella Thorne Doctor Victor Frankenstein Michael Bell Frankie Frank Welker Mr. Yesman Jim Meskimen Lawrence Talbot Maurice LaMarche Frank Welker Principal Milliken Miriam Flynn Mr. Rochelle Rob Paulsen Madame Raya April Winchell Nathan Elizabeth Daily La-Lu Janice Karman Other animals Sophie Frank Welker Baby penguin Sammy Squirrel Frank Welker The Wolfman Frank Welker PC Lex Lang Sam and Lou Jerry Rees
Crew Crew Theatrical films Direct-to-video films The Chipmunk Adventure Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel Chipwrecked The Road Chip Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Little Alvin and the Mini-Munks Director(s) Janice Karman Tim Hill Betty Thomas Mike Mitchell Walt Becker Kathi Castillo Jerry Rees Producer(s) Janice Karman Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Writer(s) Janice Karman Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Jon Vitti Will McRobb & Chris Viscardi Jon Vitti Jon Vitti Jonathan Aibel Glenn Berger Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger Randi Mayem Singer Adam Sztykiel John Loy Janice Karman Composer(s) Randy Edelman Christopher Lennertz David Newman Mark Mothersbaugh Mark Watters Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Editor(s) Tony Mizgalski Peter E. Berger Matthew Friedman Peter Amundson Ryan Folsey Jay Bisxen Cinematographer(s) Peter Lyons Collister Anthony B. Richmond Thomas E. Ackerman Peter Lyons Collister colspan="3" Production CompanyBagdasarian Productions Bagdasarian ProductionsRegency EnterprisesFox 2000 Pictures Bagdasarian Productions
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