The Man Called Flintstone
Release date: 03. Aug 1966 | Running time: 01:29:00
"The Man Called Flintstone" holds a unique spot in animation history as it was released at a time when animated TV shows rarely received feature-length adaptations. The film is noteworthy for blending The Flintstones' classic humor with a spy thriller narrative inspired by the popularity of James Bond movies in the 1960s. This mash-up was a fresh take for the time, showing that cartoons could mix humor with genre parodies—something we see in animated films today.
As Hanna-Barbera’s first animated feature film, A Man Called Flintstone helped solidify The Flintstones as a cultural phenomenon, expanding beyond TV and into theaters. The movie gave fans a chance to see Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty in an adventure that spanned locations far beyond their home in Bedrock, which was ambitious for an animated film at the time. From Rome to Paris, the film’s global adventure was a big leap for characters previously bound to a single town and was brought to life with a higher budget that allowed for more detailed animation and lavish, colorful backdrops.
The movie's musical numbers also set it apart, as The Flintstones TV show did not typically feature full songs or musical interludes. Songs like “Someday When I Am Grown Up” and “(Someday) When I’m Grown Up” added a Broadway-esque charm and showed that animated films could hold their own as musical entertainment, something that would later become a staple for animated movies.
The film also includes voice work by Alan Reed as Fred Flintstone and Mel Blanc as Barney Rubble, legendary voice actors who defined these characters. Released shortly after the original series ended, it acted as a swan song for The Flintstones until their resurgence in reruns and spinoffs.
Why Watch? If you’re a fan of animation history or nostalgic for classic TV, A Man Called Flintstone is a perfect watch. It’s a rare blend of slapstick humor, playful spy tropes, and the quirky charm of one of TV’s most famous animated families, making it both a historical and entertaining piece for audiences old and new.