Harold and the Purple Crayon comes to life starring Zachary Levi

Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, and Zachary Levi set off on an adventure in Harold and the Purple Crayon

Countless families have enjoyed Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon since its publication in 1955. The book tells the story of an adventurous toddler who can create entire worlds with his purple crayon. The adaptation puts a twist on the story, as in the movie Harold has grown up in his fantastical world, and decides to draw a door into the real, modern world.

Producer John Davis talks about the adventure that Harold is thrust into in Harold and the Purple Crayon. “Harold and his friends are transformed from characters on the page to adventurers on a journey of self-discovery,” Davis says. “Their story is brimming with passion, imagination, and a sense of heart.” Watch the trailer:
Oscar-nominated director Carlos Saldanha had his children grow up to the tale of Harold and the Purple Crayon. “The original story is very simple and charming,” he says. “I really love the way that this movie takes it further. In the book, Harold is very sheltered, but coming into the real world exposes him to the harsh realities of everyday life. He discovers all these new emotions that allow him to become a more complete and fuller human character, all while retaining his innocence.”

Playing the role of the intrepid Harold is Zachary Levi, who feels that more than an adaptation, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a love letter to imagination itself. “There is no Harold without imagination,” Levi says. “The power of imagination is just as integral to the movie as it is to the book.” Asked what he’d draw if he had Harold’s purple crayon, Levi opted for convenience. “The airplane scene was a lot of fun,” he says. “Maybe I’d draw a plane.”

Zachary Levi lets his imagination literally take flight in Harold and the Purple Crayon

Levi’s co-star Zooey Deschanel also has a personal connection to the book as she also read Harold and the Purple Crayon to her kids. “I’ve been reading the book to my kids since they were really little,” says Deschanel. “It’s a much beloved book in my house, and I think this is the type of movie parents will want to go see with their kids.”

Director Saldanha finds magic in something as mundane as a crayon, and invites audiences to share that magic and rediscover the power of imagination. “Pick up a crayon, and the possibilities are endless,” he says. “With everything happening in our daily lives, we forget the power of the imagination, the power of believing, the power of dreaming, and the power of ‘drawing’ your way into a better place. This film invites audiences to rediscover that magic.”

Grab a friend and set off into a world of adventure as Harold and the Purple Crayon opens in PH cinemas on August 21.

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August 2024 movies

Don’t miss these movies, opening in cinemas in August!

August 7 - It Ends With Us (Columbia Pictures)
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate
Directed by: Justin Baldoni

“It Ends With Us”, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.

August 21 - Harold and the Purple Crayon (Columbia Pictures)
Cast: Zachary Levi, Jemaine Clement, Alfred Molina, Zooey Deschanel
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life – and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades.

August 21 - Blink Twice (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Stars: Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Christian Slater, Geena Davis
Directed by: Zoë Kravitz

When tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his fundraising gala, sparks fly. He invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. It’s paradise. Wild nights blend into sun soaked days and everyone’s having a great time. No one wants this trip to end, but as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. There is something wrong with this place. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.

August 28 - Look Back (Encore Films)
Voice cast: Yumi Kawai, Mizuki Yoshida
Directed by: Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Based on the award-winning manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, creator of “Chainsaw Man.” “Look Back” is a heart-wrenching and impactful story of growing up, a story about the overly confident Fujino and the shut-in Kyomoto, who couldn’t be more different. Their love of drawing manga is the one thing connecting these contrary girls. One day, however, something happens to them that shatters everything…

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.*

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