Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Stuck in a Rut

Animated family movies are tough to get right, especially when a series has been around as long as this one. With Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Disney+ delivers another chapter in a franchise that’s nearly as long-lived as some of Hollywood ’s most drawn-out series. In a landscape where fresh, heartfelt stories like Zootopia 2 and The Wild Robot set the bar, it ’s puzzling to see this series stick so closely to its old formula.

Plot Overview: Greg’s Never-Ending Struggle

The story picks up once again with Greg Heffley, voiced by Aaron Harris, who’s still caught up in his own world and desperate to climb the social ladder. His loyal friend Rowley, played by Spencer Howell, remains by his side, while his older brother Rodrick (Hunter Dillon) continues to be a constant source of annoyance. As the middle child, Greg can’t seem to get his parents’ attention, especially his dad Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos), who’s always frustrated by Greg’s failed attempts to be popular. After one too many mishaps, Frank decides the only solution is to send Greg to military school, hoping it’ll straighten him out.

Greg’s awkwardness and ability to endure embarrassment are supposed to set up plenty of laughs for the whole family. The classic comedy setup of a kid facing off against a strict environment is here, but the story never quite lands. The overbearing father angle feels forced, and the emotional payoff just isn’t there.

Review: Familiar Gags and Stale Jokes

Jeff Kinney, the original author, wrote the script for this adaptation, and while there are a few clever moments, most of the humor feels tired. The movie leans on physical comedy and a handful of meta jokes—like a neighbor watching Home Alone—but these bits get old fast. The plot feels stretched thin, and the jokes often fall back on childish gags that don’t quite hit the mark, even for a Disney production.

Fans of the series might still find something to enjoy, but for most viewers, the formula is wearing thin. The animation has its own look, but it’s stiff and lacks the expressiveness you’d expect from a modern cartoon. Instead of evolving, the style feels stuck in the past, and the story doesn’t offer anything new.

Should You Stream It?

Directed by Matt Danner and Gino Nichele, the film doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table. The cringe-worthy comedy and recycled material are more of the same, and the script doesn’t do much to shake things up. Greg’s character is as frustrating as ever, and his dad Frank is so underdeveloped that he fails to deliver any meaningful lessons for kids or parents.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting December 8. If you’re hoping for a new twist or a story with heart, you might want to look elsewhere. This franchise seems content to keep spinning its wheels, even as the world of animated family films moves on.