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Il pleut de hamburger : Family Movie? Wimpy & Popeye

Ethan Tyler Mitchell Foster • 2026-05-27 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Few animated movies make you crave a cheeseburger as much as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. But for French-speaking audiences in Quebec, the film’s title — Il pleut des hamburgers — literally promises hamburger rain. This article explores the movie’s age suitability, its connection to a classic hamburger-loving cartoon character, and the famous Popeye quote that fans still share.

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 · Release Year: 2009 · Runtime: 90 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Movie Details
2Age Rating
  • MPAA: PG (JustWatch) (Apple TV)
  • Suitable for most families with mild comic danger (Apple TV)
3The French Phrase
4Related Characters
  • J. Wellington Wimpy – Popeye character who loves hamburgers (Wikipedia)
  • Popeye – spinach-eating sailor (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)
  • Flint Lockwood – inventor in the movie (International Dubbing Wiki) (Wikipedia)

Six key details define the movie’s identity.

Label Value
Release Year 2009
Directors Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
IMDb Rating 6.9/10
French Title (France) Tempête de boulettes géantes
French Title (Quebec) Il pleut des hamburgers
English Title Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Is Tempête de Boulettes Géantes a family movie?

What is the age rating?

The film carries an MPAA rating of PG, according to Wikipedia. That stands for Parental Guidance suggested. Apple TV sums up the plot: “Delicious cheeseburgers start raining from the sky” and the machine unleashes “spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs.” The comic danger is mild and presented in a humorous way.

Is it suitable for young children?

For children aged 6 and older, the movie is generally fine. The Wikipedia entry describes it as a “science fiction disaster comedy” with a light tone. Very young viewers (under 5) might be startled by giant food falling, but there are no truly scary moments. The PG rating already signals that some scenes may need parental discussion.

Why this matters

The Quebec title cleverly captures the film’s premise in a way that resonates with local audiences, linking it to a beloved cartoon character.

The implication: Parents of children aged 6 and up can feel confident about this movie, but preview it with younger kids to gauge sensitivity.

The movie is rated PG and suitable for children 6+, with mild comic danger. Parents of very young children should preview the food-destruction scenes.

What cartoon character eats a lot of hamburgers?

Who is J. Wellington Wimpy?

J. Wellington Wimpy is a character from the Popeye franchise, deeply associated with hamburgers. The International Dubbing Wiki notes the Quebec title’s hamburger focus, which aligns perfectly with Wimpy’s obsession.

What is his catchphrase?

Wimpy’s signature line — “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today” — is one of the most quoted phrases from animation history, as documented on Wikipedia. It has become a cultural shorthand for procrastination and craving.

How is he connected to Popeye?

Wimpy is a supporting character in E.C. Segar’s Popeye comic strip and the subsequent animated series. He often schemes to get hamburgers without paying immediately, making him the archetypal “hamburger lover” in pop culture.

The catch

While the movie is family-friendly, parents of very young children should preview the scenes of giant food destruction.

The pattern: Wimpy’s hamburger obsession created a lasting pop-culture reference that aligns perfectly with the food-rain theme of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

J. Wellington Wimpy, the hamburger-loving Popeye character, gained fame with his line “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today,” which connects to the movie’s food-rain theme.

What is the famous line from Popeye?

What does Popeye say when he eats spinach?

Popeye’s iconic declaration — « I’m strong to the finish ’cause I eats me spinach » — is recorded on the Wikipedia Popeye entry. It has fueled generations of children to eat their greens.

What is the hamburger line from Wimpy?

Wimpy’s line, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today,” is equally famous. Together, these two food-centric catchphrases define the nutritional extremes — spinach for strength, hamburgers for indulgence.

Why this matters: These catchphrases show how food-themed character traits became cultural touchstones that persist today.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • The movie is rated PG and is a family comedy (Wikipedia)
  • The Quebec title is “Il pleut des hamburgers” (International Dubbing Wiki)
  • J. Wellington Wimpy’s catchphrase is “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today” (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact Netflix availability varies by region (licensing differs) (JustWatch)
  • Whether the movie suits every 4-year-old (depends on tolerance for mild peril)
  • Full voice cast for the Quebec French dub

Quotes from the film and its context

“I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”J. Wellington Wimpy

“The film is a 2009 American animated science fiction disaster comedy film.”Wikipedia

“Delicious cheeseburgers start raining from the sky, and the machine unleashes spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs.”Apple TV synopsis

For families in Canada and beyond, the choice is clear: Il pleut des hamburgers offers a fun, family-friendly movie night with a side of cultural trivia. Whether you’re explaining the French title to kids or quoting Wimpy at dinner, this film delivers more than just food rain — it delivers a connection to classic animation history.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs based on a book?

Yes, it is based on the 1978 children’s book by Judi Barrett (Wikipedia).

What is the French title of the movie in France?

Tempête de boulettes géantes (Wikipedia).

Is there a sequel to Il pleut des hamburgers?

Yes, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 was released in 2013 (Wikipedia).

Who is the voice of Flint Lockwood in English?

Bill Hader (Wikipedia).

Where can I watch Il pleut des hamburgers online?

Streaming availability varies by region; check JustWatch for current options.

How does the food machine work in the movie?

The FLDSMDFR (Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator) converts water into food (Wikipedia).

What is the meaning of Il pleut des hamburgers?

It literally translates to “it rains hamburgers” and is the Quebec French title of the movie (International Dubbing Wiki).

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Ethan Tyler Mitchell Foster

About the author

Ethan Tyler Mitchell Foster

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