Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (occasionally shortened to Jimmy Neutron) is a 2001 American computer-animated comic science fiction film produced by Nickelodeon Movies, O Entertainment, and DNA Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by creator John A. Davis and written by Davis and producer Steve Oedekerk, with voice talents by Debi Derryberry, Patrick Stewart, Martin Short, Marc DeCarlo, Rob Paulsen, and Jeffrey Garcia. The precursor to the TV show The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, which followed shortly after, Jimmy Neutron follows the title character, a schoolboy with super-genius powers who must save all of the parents of the world from a race of egg-like aliens known as the Yolkians.
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius was released on December 21, 2001. Backed by a strong pre-release campaign, the film was a box office success, grossing $103 million worldwide. It was nominated for the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2001, ultimately losing to Shrek; it was the only animated Nickelodeon film to ever be nominated in that category until the release of Rango (2011).
The film's success led to a spin-off television series called The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, which premiered on July 20, 2002, and ended on November 25, 2006. Another spin-off series called Planet Sheen was produced, focusing on Jimmy's friend Sheen Estevez. This series premiered on October 2, 2010, and concluded on February 15, 2013.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
As mentioned above, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius was garnering attention with its strong pre-release campaign. This included a series of eight short films, merchandising, and a giant helium balloon of the titular character; Jimmy Neutron, in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside the Blue balloon & Rugrats balloon, the latter would later retire that year however.
The Jimmy Neutron balloon would debut in 2001 as one of five brand-new giant balloons that year. The design shows Jimmy on his Thanksgiving hiatus from his home in Retroville, gussied up with his signature styled hair and iconic red t-shirt as he blasts down the Parade route, in hopes of finding new discoveries along the way. The balloon's design is also known to be the first giant helium balloon based on a CGI character (though the distinction of the first CGI character in the Parade belongs to Heimlich, who appeared as a falloon in 1998). Jimmy also made an appearance in costume form on the Macy's Toon Balloon-Abration float in 2001 as well.
The balloon would make two more appearances in 2002 and 2003, the latter of which it retired after. Despite retiring after the 2003 parade, Jimmy made multiple appearances at Balloonopolis until it closed.
The same year of the balloon's debut, he appeared in walk-around form on the Toon Balloon-Abration float, alongside other current and retired balloon characters.