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Down Under Wonders is a 1999 American independent adventure comedy film directed by Peter Roach and written by Roach and Peter Sutton. Produced by Roach and Jerry Gross under the Phoenix-based Roach Gross Entertainment Group, the film stars Kimiko Glenn (in her feature debut) as a 10-year-old Japanese-American girl who, while on vacation with her family in Melbourne, befriends four local children and becomes embroiled in a treasure hunt that pits them against a greedy British businessman and his ruthless assistant. The ensemble cast also includes Tom Felton, Anna Popplewell, Brandon Hammond, Hunter Page-Lochard, Tamlyn Tomita, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Song, Tim Curry, and Famke Janssen.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 1999, before its theatrical release on September 17, 1999, the film received generally positive reviews for its humor, heartfelt tone, and young cast’s performances, especially that of Glenn. Despite a modest $14 million budget, the film was a sleeper box office success, grossing $28.8 million across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. It later became a cult favorite among late-1990s family audiences and was praised for its cross-cultural themes and positive portrayal of friendship and environmental awareness.
Plot[]
10-year-old Aiko Nakamura (Kimiko Glenn), a curious and imaginative Japanese-American girl from Phoenix, Arizona, is less than thrilled when her parents, Kenji (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) and Lisa (Tamlyn Tomita), announce that the family’s summer vacation will be spent in Melbourne, Australia. Her older sister Naomi (Brenda Song) is equally unenthused, preoccupied with her music and teenage angst.
While exploring the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Aiko encounters four Australian kids—Finn (Tom Felton), a mischievous prankster; Poppy (Anna Popplewell), an aspiring photographer; Jamal (Brandon Hammond), a gadget-loving American expat; and Nate (Hunter Page-Lochard), an Aboriginal boy with a strong connection to his land’s traditions. Together, they stumble upon a hidden map inside the Melbourne Museum that points to the legendary Lost Emu Opal, an ancient gemstone said to have mystical ties to Aboriginal lore.
Unbeknownst to them, ruthless British businessman Nigel Rathbone (Tim Curry) and his cunning second-in-command Vix Eldridge (Famke Janssen) are also after the opal, hoping to sell it to foreign investors for profit. As the kids race across Melbourne and into the Australian bush to uncover the opal’s location, they encounter numerous obstacles—booby traps, wildlife, and Rathbone’s henchmen.
In the climactic sequence set in a secret canyon, Aiko and her friends use teamwork, resourcefulness, and Nate’s knowledge of the land to outsmart the villains. Rathbone and Vix are ultimately captured by local authorities, and the children return the opal to an Aboriginal elder for safekeeping. As her vacation ends, Aiko reflects on the experience and the lifelong friendships she’s formed.
Cast[]
- Kimiko Glenn as Aiko Nakamura
- Tom Felton as Finn
- Anna Popplewell as Poppy
- Brandon Hammond as Jamal
- Hunter Page-Lochard as Nate
- Tamlyn Tomita as Lisa Nakamura
- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Kenji Nakamura
- Brenda Song as Naomi Nakamura
- Tim Curry as Nigel Rathbone
- Famke Janssen as Victoria “Vix” Eldridge
- Peter Sutton as Museum Curator (cameo)
Production[]
Down Under Wonders was conceived by Arizona-based filmmaker Peter Roach, who wanted to create a family adventure that blended humor, multiculturalism, and environmental awareness. Co-written with longtime collaborator Peter Sutton, the screenplay drew inspiration from Roach’s own travels in Australia during the early 1990s.
Filming took place between February and May 1999, with location shoots in Melbourne’s countryside, and Sedona, Arizona, which doubled for some of the desert scenes. The production employed Australian cinematographer Russell Boyd, known for his work on Crocodile Dundee (1986), and composer Peter Best, whose orchestral score mixed whimsical and traditional Aboriginal musical influences.
Casting was handled jointly in Los Angeles and Sydney. The role of Aiko marked Kimiko Glenn’s feature film debut at age 10, selected from over 600 young auditionees. The production was notable for its use of practical stunts, real animal handlers, and extensive location photography.
The film was independently financed through Roach Gross Entertainment Group, with a final production budget of $14 million.
Release[]
Down Under Wonders premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 1999, where it received a standing ovation from the family film audience. It was released theatrically in the United States on September 17, 1999, by Grand Canyon Releasing, and later in Australia and Canada.
The film opened to modest expectations but performed strongly through word-of-mouth, eventually earning $28.8 million across North America and Australia.
Reception[]
Critical response[]
The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its charm and sincerity. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 78% based on 61 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The consensus reads: “A refreshing, cross-cultural adventure filled with heart, humor, and genuine wonder — Down Under Wonders is a family film that respects both its young characters and its audience.”
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, noting, “It’s an old-fashioned adventure with a modern heart — and young Kimiko Glenn shines with the kind of charisma that can’t be taught.”
The Sydney Morning Herald praised its respectful depiction of Aboriginal culture, while The Arizona Republic lauded its local production roots and “joyful sense of discovery.”
Box office[]
Despite competition from major studio releases such as Blue Streak and Double Jeopardy, Down Under Wonders achieved sleeper hit status, becoming one of the highest-grossing independent family films of 1999.
Home media[]
The film was released on VHS and DVD by Grand Canyon Releasing on March 7, 2000, featuring commentary from director Peter Roach and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A Blu-ray edition followed in 2012, including interviews with the now-adult cast and a digitally remastered transfer supervised by cinematographer Russell Boyd.
It became a frequent title on family-oriented cable networks throughout the 2000s and was later made available on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Legacy[]
Over time, Down Under Wonders developed a cult following among millennials who grew up with the film, frequently cited for its nostalgic tone and multiethnic cast. It is often remembered for launching Kimiko Glenn’s acting career, predating her later success on Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019).
Film scholars and fans alike have highlighted its environmentally conscious message and early representation of diverse friendship groups in children’s media.
A sequel, Cactus & Kangaroos, set 18 years later and following the now-adult Aiko reuniting with her Australian friends in Phoenix, was released in 2017, reuniting Glenn with much of the original cast and director Peter Roach.