Over the Hedge is a 2006 American animated comedy film directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick and written by Len Blum, Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton and Kirkpatrick, based on the comic strip by Michael Fry and T. Lewis. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the film features the voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes and Nick Nolte. Set in Indiana, the plot follows RJ, a raccoon who is forced to deliver food to a bear named Vincent after accidentally destroying his stockpile of food, whereupon he manipulates a family of woodland animals who have recently awakened from hibernation into helping him steal food in order to speed up the process.

Over the Hedge was theatrically released in the United States on May 19, 2006 by Paramount Pictures. The film received positive reviews from critics for its humor, charm, and animation. It was also a commercial success, grossing $339.8 million worldwide on an $80 million budget.

Plot

A raccoon named RJ, unable to find food for himself, attempts to steal a stockpile from a bear named Vincent. His attempt backfires when Vincent is woken up by the commotion and the food is destroyed. Vincent almost kills RJ, who offers to replace his food within six days. Vincent threatens to kill him if he fails or runs away.

The next morning, a family of woodland animals led by a turtle named Verne awaken from hibernation on the first day of spring. They discover that most of the forest they lived in has been turned into a housing development, separated from the remaining forest by a giant hedge. RJ introduces himself to the group and explains that they can obtain better food by scavenging off the humans. Despite Verne's concerns, RJ convinces the other animals to steal and stockpile food. They are oblivious to his true intentions regarding Vincent, which causes him to grow guilty. Gladys Sharp, the neighborhood homeowner association president, notices the animal problem and hires exterminator Dwayne LaFontant. When RJ tries to stop a worried Verne from returning the pile of food in order to avoid Dwayne, the food is destroyed following a chase with an excited Rottweiler named Nugent. Verne is blamed for the destruction and shunned in favor of RJ after he accidentally insults them.

That night, RJ witnesses Dwayne rigging animal traps, including an illegal contraband device called the Depelter Turbo, in Gladys' yard. Verne reconciles with RJ and the other animals, and RJ convinces everyone to invade Gladys' home and steal her massive stockpile of food. The squirrel Hammy disables the Depelter Turbo while the striped skunk Stella steals the collar of Gladys' Persian cat, Tiger, which enables entry into the house. The animals stockpile another wagon full of food, but before leaving, RJ sees a can of Spuddies potato chips and becomes determined to get it per Vincent's request. RJ flees with the food while Verne and the other animals are captured by Dwayne, who takes them away in his van.

Upon delivering the food to Vincent, RJ sees Dwayne's truck driving past, leading to RJ having a change of heart. In an attempt to free the animals, he crashes the wagon into Dwayne's van and knocks him unconscious. This prompts an enraged Vincent to attack RJ and the other animals while the porcupine triplets drive the van back to the neighborhood. Verne convinces the other animals to forgive RJ during the commotion. The animals crash the van into Gladys' home and return to the hedge, only to be attacked by Vincent, Gladys, and Dwayne.

Hammy, fueled by an energy drink, reactivates the Depelter Turbo while RJ and Verne trick Vincent into leaping over the hedge, resulting in him, Gladys, and Dwayne being caught in the Depelter Turbo. The local animal control service ships Vincent to the Rocky Mountains, Gladys is arrested for possessing the Depelter Turbo and resisting arrest, and Dwayne's attempt to escape arrest is thwarted by Nugent. RJ rejoins the woodland creatures permanently alongside Tiger, who had fallen in love with Stella, and Hammy reveals he has found the nuts he had stored for the previous winter, replenishing the animals' food supply.