The comedy plot unfolds around two totally different families: the Drahomanov working in culture and the Nalyvaychenko who are local businessmen. On a spring weekend they decide to go for a traditional open-air barbecue and by virtue of destiny arrive at the same clearing each family considers theirs. A quarrel starts between them, quickly transforming into a grotesque war for a barbecue spot. Unexpectedly, a third claimant for the territory arrives; this is a bribe taker on the run who hid his money in this same clearing and takes the youngest children from both family's hostage, demanding to give back the money that disappeared from the hideout. Tricks, frame ups and oppositions, adventures, unexpected guests and crazy money, different views not only on barbecue marinade recipes but also on the right ways to live. This is a story telling us that no matter how different we are and how much we quarrel, we are always a united, powerful force in the face of a common threat.
戴维·塞维尔(杰森·李 Jason Lee 饰)是洛杉矶一名郁郁不得志的词曲作者,他不分白天黑夜,努力创作,但作品总也得不到唱片公司老板的赏识。某天,满腔愤怒的戴维在家中大发雷霆,这时,三只来自大山的花栗鼠艾尔文(贾斯汀·朗 Justin Long 配音)、西蒙(马修·格雷·古柏勒 Matthew Gray Gubler 配音)、西尔多(杰西·麦卡尼 Jesse McCartney 配音)闯入戴维的生活。戴维惊讶地发现,这三个顽皮胡闹的小家伙不仅会说话,而且还能和声唱歌。于是他和小家伙们达成协议,它们可以在家中居住,但是必须演唱戴维创作的歌曲,妙趣横生的故事也由此展开……
本片荣获2008年儿童选择奖最受欢迎电影。