Story Overview

Over the Hedge begins as Verne (Garry Shandling) the turtle and his woodland friends awaken from a long winter hibernation, only to discover that their once-peaceful forest has been drastically altered. A tall, green hedge now cuts straight through their natural habitat, separating them from an unfamiliar and unsettling new world.

As the group struggles to understand what has happened, they encounter RJ, a fast-talking and cunning raccoon voiced by Bruce Willis. RJ introduces them to life beyond the hedge, describing it as the gateway to a world of comfort, excess, and endless food. According to him, this is the domain of humans—strange creatures who do not eat to live, but live to eat, and who never believe that what they have is enough.

Tempted by the promise of easy meals, the animals cautiously follow RJ into suburbia, where overflowing trash bins and colorful leftovers seem like paradise. However, the apparent abundance hides serious dangers. The human world is full of traps, vigilant homeowners, and unpredictable threats that put the small animals’ lives at constant risk.

Blending sharp humor with family-friendly adventure, Over the Hedge explores themes of consumerism, environmental disruption, and the clash between nature and modern living. Through the eyes of its unlikely heroes, the film delivers a witty and entertaining commentary on excess, friendship, and the true meaning of home.