Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked came out in the U.S. on December 16, 2011.
That date marks the theatrical debut of the third live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, also known simply as Chipwrecked.
The movie mixes family comedy, cruise-ship chaos, and a tropical-island adventure.
20th Century Fox released it as the next chapter after Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Release Date And Basic Facts
The release date is the main answer.
A few quick details help place the movie in context.
U.S. Theatrical Release Date
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked opened in U.S. theaters on December 16, 2011, according to Wikipedia.
20th Century Fox handled the release and marketed it as a holiday family movie.
Runtime, Rating, And Distributor
The film runs 87 minutes and carries a G rating for family audiences.
Fox 2000 Pictures, Regency Enterprises, and Bagdasarian Productions produced the film, with 20th Century Fox distributing it.
Where It Sits In The Film Series
Chipwrecked is the third live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film.
It follows Alvin and the Chipmunks and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
A fourth film, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, came later and closed out the live-action run.
What The Movie Is About
The story starts with a cruise and turns into a survival adventure.
You follow the chipmunks, the chipettes, and Dave as a trip to the International Music Awards goes off course.
The Cruise Ship Setup
Dave Seville takes Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor aboard the Carnival Dream for a cruise tied to the International Music Awards.
Alvin’s mischief and the chipettes’ curiosity push the group into trouble, and Ian Hawke returns in a new job aboard the ship.
The Deserted Island Adventure
A wild parasailing incident strands the chipmunks and chipettes near a deserted island.
They meet Zoe, discover hidden danger, and try to survive with items like a Swiss Army knife and a rescue helicopter.
Why Zoe And The Treasure Matter
Zoe’s search for treasure gives the island story its emotional twist.
Captain Correlli and the others get pulled into a race to escape the erupting volcano, and the treasure becomes part of how the group resolves the crisis.
Cast, Crew, And Franchise Connections
You get a mix of returning live-action actors, major voice talent, and long-running franchise names.
The movie connects to a deep Chipmunks history that stretches from early TV to later animated revivals.
Main Cast And Voice Actors
The live-action cast includes Jason Lee as Dave, David Cross as Ian, and Jenny Slate as Zoe.
The chipmunks and chipettes are voiced by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.
Director, Writers, And Music
Mike Mitchell directed the film.
Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger wrote the screenplay.
Mark Mothersbaugh composed the music.
The Chipmunks brand traces back to Ross Bagdasarian, Ross Bagdasarian Sr., Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, and the creative lineage behind The Chipmunk Adventure, A Chipmunk Christmas, The Alvin Show, and Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks.
How The Film Connects To The Larger Franchise
Chipwrecked fits into a long-running multimedia universe that includes TV, specials, and music projects like Let’s All Sing With The Chipmunks, Christmas With The Chipmunks, Chipmunk Punk, Chipmunk Rock, The Chipmunks Go to the Movies, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman, Chipmunks in Low Places, and Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue.
Earlier animation work came from studios like Ruby-Spears Productions, DIC Entertainment, and Technicolor Animation Productions.
Later franchise momentum continued through Alvin and the Chipmunks media and the animated revival ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks.
Reception And Lasting Impact
The movie did well at the box office even as reviews stayed mixed to negative.
It picked up a few awards mentions tied to music, family audiences, and franchise popularity.
Box Office Performance
The film earned about $349.1 million worldwide against a budget of $75 to $80 million.
That result helped keep the franchise commercially relevant for another sequel.
Critical Response And Audience Scores
Most critics gave negative reviews, as reflected on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
Audience response was more forgiving, and the movie’s CinemaScore reception fit its family-audience appeal.
Awards And Ongoing Recognition
The film’s music and franchise presence kept it visible after release. The 2012 BMI Film & TV Awards, Kids’ Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and International Music Awards brought it attention.
Outlets like the Los Angeles Times highlighted the production and the cruise-ship setting. The soundtrack and visual effects helped sustain the movie’s place in the series.
