Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 American live-action animated jukebox musical comedy film based on the characters created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. The cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson, while Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney voice the chipmunks. The plot follows chipmunks (Alvin, Simon, and Theodore), who move in with struggling songwriter Dave Seville after losing their home. When Dave discovers their singing talent, he introduces them to JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, whose plans threaten the chipmunks' newfound family dynamic. It was directed by Tim Hill and written by Jon Vitti, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi.

Development began in 1997 when Ross Bagdasarian Jr. expressed interest in creating a live-action film. The project saw multiple changes before it was announced in September 2004 as a collaboration between Fox 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Fox Animation, and Bagdasarian Company. The animation for the film was handled by Rhythm & Hues Studios, which studied real chipmunks and previous versions of the characters to design CGI models that retained their original essence. The integration of CGI with live-action footage required match-moving techniques and advanced visual effects software. The music was composed by Christopher Lennertz. The film is dedicated to the memory of Ross Bagdasarian, creator of the Chipmunks.

Alvin and the Chipmunks was released in the United States on December 14, 2007, by 20th Century Fox. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, it grossed $365 million worldwide against a $55–60 million budget. The film's commercial success led to three sequels: The Squeakquel in 2009, Chipwrecked in 2011, and The Road Chip in 2015.