The Grasshopper and the Ants (1934): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1934, The Grasshopper and the Ants is an animation film directed by Wilfred Jackson, running about 8 minutes. “A grasshopper learns a lesson about hard work.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. As in the classic fable, the grasshopper plays his fiddle and lives for the moment, while the industrious ants squirrel away massive amounts of food for the winter. With his song, he's able to convince at least one small ant until the queen arrives and scares him back to work. The queen warns the grasshopper of the trouble he'll be in, come winter. Winter comes, and the grasshopper, near starvation, stumbles across the ants, who are having a full-on feast in their snug little tree. They take him in and warm him up. The queen tells him only those who work can eat so he must play for them. Written by Jon Reeves

Who’s in it. The Grasshopper and the Ants stars Pinto Colvig as Grasshopper (voice) and Dorothy Compton as Ant Queen (voice).

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Grasshopper and the Ants has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Disney Plus. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Grasshopper and the Ants page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Grasshopper and the Ants tend to enjoy Spirited Away, Your Name., Grave of the Fireflies and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.