The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Small Soldiers
Entertainment • Film

Small Soldiers

Small Soldiers is a 1998 American science fiction action-comedy film directed by Joe Dante.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Small Soldiers is a 1998 American science fiction action-comedy film directed by Joe Dante. The film follows two lines of action figures, the militaristic Commando Elite and the peace-loving Gorgonites, after they are accidentally animated by advanced military microchips. It stars Kirsten Dunst and Gregory Smith, with voice performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella.

Plot

The story centres on toy figures that gain sentience after being fitted with advanced military microchips developed by a defence contractor. The conflict between the aggressive Commando Elite and the peaceful Gorgonites spills into a suburban neighbourhood, where human characters try to survive the escalating battle.

Production

Small Soldiers was directed by Joe Dante and written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Gavin Scott, and Adam Rifkin. It was produced by DreamWorks Pictures with Amblin Entertainment involvement.

Themes

The film is a satire of war culture, the military-industrial complex, and branded toy marketing. Its premise contrasts violent action-figure fantasies with the consequences of real-world militarized technology.

Reception

The film received attention for its mix of action, comedy, and dark satire. It is often described as a family-style adventure with more violent material than its toy-based premise suggests.

Key facts

  • The film is set around a toy company and a defence contractor’s military technology being used in children’s toys.
  • The two main toy factions are the aggressive Commando Elite and the peaceful Gorgonites.
  • Joe Dante directed the film for DreamWorks Pictures with Amblin Entertainment involved in production.
  • The story satirizes militarization, consumer culture, and corporate influence.
  • It was released in the United States on July 10, 1998.
🍁
Canadian context

Small Soldiers was widely distributed in North America and is familiar to Canadian audiences as a late-1990s studio film that mixed family adventure with darker satire.

Frequently asked questions

What is Small Soldiers about?
It is about action figures that are accidentally given military-grade intelligence chips and begin fighting each other in a suburban neighbourhood.
Who directed Small Soldiers?
Joe Dante directed the film.
When was Small Soldiers released?
It was released in the United States on July 10, 1998.
Who stars in Small Soldiers?
The film stars Kirsten Dunst and Gregory Smith, with voice roles by Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella.
What genre is Small Soldiers?
It is generally classified as science fiction, action, and comedy.

References

  1. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/small-soldiers
    Supports: Release year, genre, rating, runtime, and plot premise.
  2. Amblin — https://amblin.com/movie/small-soldiers/
    Supports: Release date and plot premise involving military technology in toys.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Soldiers
    Supports: Director, screenplay, cast, and synopsis.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/small_soldiers
    Supports: Director, cast, genre, rating, release date, and runtime.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122718/
    Supports: Release date and premise.