“Boys Go to Jupiter” Review: A Delightful Animated Tale of Oranges, Extraterrestrials, and the Gig Economy

Welcome to the enchanting realm of Boys Go to Jupiter, where extraterrestrials mingle with delivery boys, juice factories nurture whimsical fruits grown from moon rocks, and catchy electronic melodies await around every corner. This extraordinary world isn’t a distant planet or an alternate dimension; it’s simply suburban Florida. Yet, through the creative lens of director and 3D animator Julian Glander, Boys Go to Jupiter transforms Florida into a magical landscape where the quirky and the ordinary coexist effortlessly. With its delightful absurdity and distinctive animation, Boys Go to Jupiter offers a truly uplifting experience.

What’s Boys Go to Jupiter about?

Boys Go to Jupiter tells the charming tale of high school dropout Billy 5000 (voiced by Jack Corbett), who is striving to earn $5,000 by delivering food through the Grubster app. Along his journey, he encounters Donut, a gelatinous, blue alien who is on the run from the juice mogul Dr. Dolphin (voiced by Janeane Garofalo).

While the framework hints at a classic boy-saves-alien narrative akin to E.T., Boys Go to Jupiter adopts a more relaxed, engaging pace. Billy often stumbles into delightful vignettes, such as a thought-provoking exchange with a hot dog stand manager on the roadside, or a whimsical mini music video celebrating the joys of eggs. Glander allows these charming moments to unfold, depicting Billy’s universe as a vibrant collage of oddities that he would prefer to overlook in favor of continuing his journey.

Of course, this journey presents its challenges, as Boys Go to Jupiter subtly critiques hustle culture. Small nuances, like Grubster workers being discouraged from engaging with customers and having to repeat cutesy catchphrases, illustrate the dullness of Billy’s job. The film takes a more candid approach when Dr. Dolphin’s daughter, the aspiring radical Rozebud (voiced by singer Miya Folick), hands Billy a book on capitalism, a lesson he willingly absorbs. Boys Go to Jupiter embraces its peculiar nature, confidently diverging from conventional storytelling.

Billy operates as a small part within the hustle culture machine, while the film encourages breaking free from rigid molds to celebrate individuality. The voice cast features unique talents such as Sarah Sherman, Julio Torres, and Cole Escola, each adding their distinct flavor. Glander’s signature animation style showcases a range of vibrant CG renderings that evoke the charm of toys or video game environments. This intentional artifice fosters a playful atmosphere that helps Boys Go to Jupiter stand out in a landscape filled with more photo-realistic animations.

Glander enriches this distinctive visual experience with charming musical numbers, like tributes to side hustles and catalogs of an alien’s favorite Florida treats. These additions enhance the film’s winding tale, creating room for unexpected yet delightful diversions. While one might argue that Boys Go to Jupiter loses a bit of focus as it approaches its conclusion, the journey remains a rewarding experience.

Boys Go to Jupiter opens in theaters on August 8.

UPDATE: August 5, 2025, 9:31 a.m. Boys Go to Jupiter was reviewed following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2024. This article has been updated to reflect the most current release information.