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Rio (2011 film)

Rio is a 2011 American animated musical adventure comedy film directed by Carlos Saldanha and produced by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rio is a 2011 American animated musical adventure comedy film directed by Carlos Saldanha and produced by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation. Set in Rio de Janeiro, it follows Blu, a domesticated macaw, and Jewel as they try to escape smugglers and learn to fly and survive in the wild.

Plot

The film follows Blu, a blue macaw who cannot fly, as he travels to Rio de Janeiro to meet Jewel, the last known female of his species. Their journey turns into an escape from smugglers and other threats as they attempt to survive and protect themselves.

Production

Rio was directed by Carlos Saldanha and produced by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation. Its screenplay was written by Don Rhymer, Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia, and Sam Harper.

Release

The film premiered in Rio de Janeiro on March 22, 2011, and was released in the United States on April 15, 2011.

Cast and voices

The voice cast includes Jesse Eisenberg as Blu, Anne Hathaway as Jewel, Jemaine Clement as Nigel, Leslie Mann as Linda, George Lopez as Rafael, and Jamie Foxx as Nico.

Key facts

  • The film is set in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and its title refers to the city.
  • It centers on Blu, a domesticated male macaw, and Jewel, a free-spirited female macaw.
  • The story involves bird smugglers and the cockatoo Nigel as antagonists.
  • Rio premiered in Rio de Janeiro on March 22, 2011, before its U.S. release on April 15, 2011.
  • The film features voice performances by Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jemaine Clement, Leslie Mann, George Lopez, and Jamie Foxx.
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Canadian context

Rio was distributed in Canada through the same major North American release pattern as other 20th Century Fox titles, and it is part of the broader North American family-film market familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rio (2011 film)?
Rio is a 2011 American animated musical adventure comedy film set in Rio de Janeiro.
Who directed Rio?
It was directed by Carlos Saldanha.
Who voices Blu and Jewel?
Jesse Eisenberg voices Blu, and Anne Hathaway voices Jewel.
When was Rio released?
It premiered on March 22, 2011, and opened in the United States on April 15, 2011.
What is the film about?
It follows Blu and Jewel as they evade smugglers and try to survive after being brought together in Rio de Janeiro.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_(2011_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, studio, cast, plot, premiere and U.S. release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436562/
    Supports: U.S. release date.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rio
    Supports: Runtime, rating, genre, synopsis, release date, director, screenwriters, and cast.