Enter a Rotten Tomatoes movie slug to inspect the stored movie, batches, snapshots, and reviews.
Movie ID: 1457
RT slug: spellbound_2024
RT URL: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spellbound_2024
Release year: 2024
Runtime: 110 mins
Wide release date: —
Limited release date: 2024-11-22
Festival premiere date: —
Streaming release date: 2024-11-22
Tomatometer final: 48%
Audience score final: 46%
Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Kids & Family
Directors: Vicky Jenson
Writers: Elizabeth Martin, Julia Miranda, Lauren Hynek, Vicky Jenson
Producers: Bruce Anderson, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, John Lasseter, Linda Woolverton
MPAA rating: PG
Executive Producers: —
Created: 2026-10-05 20:50:23
Updated: 2026-10-05 20:50:23
Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters.
Spellbound makes for harmless viewing thanks to its colorful animation and clever moral, but this fairy tale can't quite summon any real charm.
Canonical reviews: 42
Canonical fresh: 20
Canonical rotten: 22
Canonical calculated Tomatometer: 42 (20/22), 48% (47.619% raw)
Latest snapshot UTC: 2026-10-05 19:36:51
Snapshot Tomatometer: 48%
Snapshot review count: 42
Snapshot fresh count: 20
Snapshot rotten count: 22
Source note: Imported from manual review paste batch #4360 (full_snapshot)
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| Netflix | distributor |
| Skydance Animation | production |
| Billing | Name | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rachel Zegler | Princess Ellian |
| 2 | Miguel Bernardeau | Chilo |
| 3 | Jenifer Lewis | Nazara |
| 4 | Dee Bradley Baker | Flink Dee |
| 5 | Nicole Kidman | Queen Ellsmere |
| Batch ID | Status | Mode | Created | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1475 | processed | — | 2026-10-05 20:50:23 | Processed successfully into movie_id=1457 using update_mode=merge_non_empty. |
| Batch ID | Local Snapshot | UTC Snapshot | Entered % | Entered Count | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4360 | 2026-10-05 14:36:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-10-05 19:36:51 | 48% | 42 | processed | Mode=full_snapshot. Processed 42 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=42, fresh=20, rotten=22, tomatometer=48%. Net new reviews added=42, fresh=20, rotten=22. Current canonical totals=42 reviews, 20 fresh, 22 rotten, tomatometer=48% (47.619%). Entered review count matched parsed batch count (42). Entered tomatometer matched parsed batch value (48%). |
| ID | Critic | Outlet | Fresh? | Score | RT Time Raw | Approx Published UTC | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 286390 | Carla Monfort | Espinof | Fresh | 3/5 | 2025-01-16T00:18:48.000Z | 2025-01-16 00:18:48 | It manages to recover in time toward its conclusion in the best way possible, but you can't shake the feeling that it could have been much more well-rounded. [Full review in Spanish] |
| 286391 | Mark Meszoros | The News-Herald (Willoughby, OH) | Fresh | 2.5/4 | 2024-12-31T20:49:19.000Z | 2024-12-31 20:49:19 | You just wish the journey were a little more entertaining. The jokes are OK, not hilarious, and the songs are merely fine — certainly below Menkin’s best work. |
| 286392 | John Nugent | Empire Magazine | Fresh | 3/5 | 2024-12-10T22:30:38.000Z | 2024-12-10 22:30:38 | A solid if fairly derivative attempt to steal Disney’s thunder. There’s enough pep and vigour here to keep kids interested, if not quite enough for the grown-ups. |
| 286393 | Ben Kenigsberg | New York Times | Rotten | — | 2024-12-09T20:50:12.000Z | 2024-12-09 20:50:12 | So, too, may viewers of "Spellbound" occasionally sense the enchantment zones of their brains lighting up, more as a reflexive response to dim memories of past animated features than as a genuine reaction to the derivative pastiche onscreen. |
| 286394 | John Serba | Decider | Fresh | — | 2024-12-06T03:20:03.000Z | 2024-12-06 03:20:03 | Spellbound is more enchantment than curse. |
| 286395 | Charles Solomon | FilmWeek (LAist) | Rotten | — | 2024-12-05T02:18:17.000Z | 2024-12-05 02:18:17 | Skydance is a puzzlement. They have more money than Daddy Warbucks and a lot of talented people working there. And yet their first film, Luck, was terrible and this one is not a lot better. |
| 286396 | Erik Childress | Movie Madness Podcast | Fresh | 3.5/4 | 2024-12-02T13:54:31.000Z | 2024-12-02 13:54:31 | An often lovely animated tale with some wonderful, fun songs that deals with issues normally reserved for some of the best of our live-action family tales like E.T. and Where The Wild Things Are. |
| 286397 | Dennis Schwartz | Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews | Rotten | C+ | 2024-12-01T05:39:27.000Z | 2024-12-01 05:39:27 | It fails to get the magic needed to be convincing. |
| 286398 | Mat Brunet | AniMat's Review (YouTube) | Rotten | 4.5/10 | 2024-11-29T20:03:17.000Z | 2024-11-29 20:03:17 | Even Wish is more competently made and more worthwhile to watch than this. |
| 286399 | Matt Hambidge | FandomWire | Fresh | 6/10 | 2024-11-29T16:25:03.000Z | 2024-11-29 16:25:03 | Spellbound is not quite as insightful or emotionally resonant as the top-tier animated children's films. But it's a cute, fun adventure that younger audiences will still have a blast with. |
| 286400 | Rachel Wagner | Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) | Rotten | — | 2024-11-29T06:38:34.000Z | 2024-11-29 06:38:34 | In an ambitious and exciting age of animation this isn't good enough. Totally generic |
| 286401 | Randy Myers | San Jose Mercury News | Fresh | 3/4 | 2024-11-27T21:34:11.000Z | 2024-11-27 21:34:11 | Zegler puts her amazing vocal range to great use in a playbook of quality songs from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. |
| 286402 | Kevin Harley | Radio Times | Rotten | 2/5 | 2024-11-27T19:34:26.000Z | 2024-11-27 19:34:26 | A losing battle against a script that's low on wit, sparkle and suspense - with no real nemesis to speak of, the story lacks stakes. |
| 286403 | Belen Edwards | Mashable | Fresh | — | 2024-11-27T19:30:17.000Z | 2024-11-27 19:30:17 | So while Spellbound's exterior may not always break the mold, its heart is more than happy to break new ground, gifting us a truly special ending. |
| 286404 | Tim Stevens | The Spool | Rotten | — | 2024-11-26T18:57:34.000Z | 2024-11-26 18:57:34 | Sometimes, you end up respecting what a movie’s trying to discuss more than you enjoy the film itself. Case in point, Spellbound. |
| 286405 | Lovia Gyarkye | The Hollywood Reporter | Fresh | — | 2024-11-26T00:26:59.000Z | 2024-11-26 00:26:59 | Spellbound largely conforms to the typical beats of a road narrative, albeit sprinkled with some surprising moments. Most striking are the visuals, rendered with vivacity and poignancy. |
| 286406 | Lisa Laman | Culturess | Rotten | — | 2024-11-25T20:57:40.000Z | 2024-11-25 20:57:40 | Spellbound, will merely inspire yawns and children to quickly ask if they can rewatch The Mitchells vs the Machines or The Wild Robot instead. |
| 286407 | Casey Chong | Casey's Movie Mania | Rotten | 2/5 | 2024-11-24T08:49:42.000Z | 2024-11-24 08:49:42 | If only this animated musical could break the spell of mediocrity. |
| 286408 | Robert Kojder | Flickering Myth | Rotten | 2.5/5 | 2024-11-23T20:45:34.000Z | 2024-11-23 20:45:34 | Younger viewers will certainly get something out of the third act, but everyone could have gotten much more if the rest of the film was up to that standard |
| 286409 | Andrew Parker | The Gate | Rotten | 2/10 | 2024-11-23T15:40:07.000Z | 2024-11-23 15:40:07 | Spellbound goes from blank screen to utter trainwreck in record time. Why? Because there’s absolutely no first act to Spellbound. None. |
| 286410 | Todd Jorgenson | Cinemalogue | Rotten | — | 2024-11-23T00:36:23.000Z | 2024-11-23 00:36:23 | This animated adventure is a breezy but largely derivative coming-of-age saga, with spirited songs enhancing an empowerment story that comes off as thinly sketched and simplistic. |
| 286411 | Noah Berlatsky | Chicago Reader | Rotten | — | 2024-11-23T00:27:10.000Z | 2024-11-23 00:27:10 | Spellbound struggles to connect its somber emotional material with its whimsical and formulaic genre approach. |
| 286412 | Marya E. Gates | Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) | Rotten | — | 2024-11-23T00:22:26.000Z | 2024-11-23 00:22:26 | It’s just too long and the first hour is a real slog. |
| 286413 | Benjamin Lee | Guardian | Rotten | 2/5 | 2024-11-23T00:06:38.000Z | 2024-11-23 00:06:38 | It’s not quite Cocomelon but it exists in an entirely other universe far, far away from the many Disney films it’s trying to file itself next to. |
| 286414 | Glenn Garner | Deadline Hollywood Daily | Fresh | — | 2024-11-23T00:02:56.000Z | 2024-11-23 00:02:56 | With all the behind-the-scenes makings of an animated classic, Spellbound features a talented voice cast and a can’t-miss creative team for a family movie with a whole lot of heart. |
| 286415 | Peter Debruge | Variety | Fresh | — | 2024-11-22T23:14:06.000Z | 2024-11-22 23:14:06 | Trust that the eventual explanation is a smart one, with useful lessons to impart about how much kids can (or should even try to) control when faced with drastic family changes. |
| 286416 | Kate Erbland | IndieWire | Fresh | B | 2024-11-22T22:56:13.000Z | 2024-11-22 22:56:13 | Cute, creative setpieces do wonders to keep the story moving along, as do the wealth of new songs that firmly establish this as a musical with a capital M. |
| 286417 | Brian Tallerico | RogerEbert.com | Rotten | 1.5/4 | 2024-11-22T22:52:46.000Z | 2024-11-22 22:52:46 | A largely forgettable venture that families will watch during Thanksgiving break before the Netflix algorithm buries it forever. |
| 286418 | Tim Grierson | Screen International | Rotten | — | 2024-11-22T21:21:52.000Z | 2024-11-22 21:21:52 | By recycling themes and genres, Spellbound fails to transform into a touching fable. |
| 286419 | Jennifer Green | Common Sense Media | Fresh | — | 2024-11-22T17:51:28.000Z | 2024-11-22 17:51:28 | Spellbound uniquely deals with important family themes in a way that's appropriate and understandable for children. |
| 286420 | Branyan Towe | Loud and Clear Reviews | Fresh | 3/5 | 2024-11-22T16:57:29.000Z | 2024-11-22 16:57:29 | All good fairy tales require a solid protagonist that audiences can connect with regardless of age, and Princess Ellian is just that. She has the spunk and independence seen in modern princesses, while also possessing a relatable vulnerability. |
| 286421 | Mae Abdulbaki | Screen Rant | Rotten | 5/10 | 2024-11-22T16:48:17.000Z | 2024-11-22 16:48:17 | Spellbound takes too long to make its point and underwhelms in other areas in the process, leaving a hole in the heart of the animation's story. |
| 286422 | Al Alexander | Movies Thru the Spectrum | Rotten | C | 2024-11-22T16:11:17.000Z | 2024-11-22 16:11:17 | Despite an impressive pedigree that includes “Shrek” co-director Vicky Jenson and a plethora of voice talent fronted by “West Side Story” breakout star Rachel Zegler, “Spellbound” struggles to enchant. |
| 286423 | Cody Dericks | Next Best Picture | Rotten | 4/10 | 2024-11-22T15:56:38.000Z | 2024-11-22 15:56:38 | “Spellbound” fails to capture the hearts and minds of viewers, instead replacing potential wonder with lackluster songs, hackneyed writing, and unimpressive designs. |
| 286424 | Tessa Smith | Mama's Geeky | Fresh | — | 2024-11-22T15:56:26.000Z | 2024-11-22 15:56:26 | A beautifully animated movie with catchy and memorable songs. Delivering on important messages for both children and parents, this is a great watch for the whole family. |
| 286425 | Mark Dujsik | Mark Reviews Movies | Rotten | 2/4 | 2024-11-22T15:04:01.000Z | 2024-11-22 15:04:01 | There's a pretty good story here ... once the filmmakers decide it's finally time to tell it. |
| 286426 | Isabella Soares | Collider | Fresh | 8/10 | 2024-11-22T14:02:40.000Z | 2024-11-22 14:02:40 | With a star-studded cast voicing these characters/creatures and a creative team that brings originality to this material, Spellbound wraps 2024 like a bow. |
| 286427 | Julian Roman | MovieWeb | Fresh | 3/5 | 2024-11-22T14:00:13.000Z | 2024-11-22 14:00:13 | Spellbound sings and dances up a storm as a clever parable about broken homes. The CGI musical fantasy uses Disney-style songs and fairy tale elements to teach youngsters difficult truths about growing up. |
| 286428 | Chase Hutchinson | TheWrap | Rotten | — | 2024-11-22T13:22:48.000Z | 2024-11-22 13:22:48 | It is without any wonder or whimsy, the animation all looking rather flat to the eye rather than bursting with depth that takes the breath away. |
| 286429 | Brian Orndorf | Blu-ray.com | Fresh | B | 2024-11-22T12:20:25.000Z | 2024-11-22 12:20:25 | There’s much to enjoy in the endeavor, as it boasts outstanding animation, hitting viewers with bold colors and interesting design elements, creating some real magic when the writing visits a few overly familiar family film beats. |
| 286430 | Archi Sengupta | LeisureByte.com | Fresh | 3/5 | 2024-11-22T09:08:40.000Z | 2024-11-22 09:08:40 | 'Spellbound' on Netflix is light and frothy, leaving you to enjoy the warmth and simplicity of the story. |
| 286431 | Pramit Chatterjee | Digital Mafia Talkies | Fresh | 3/5 | 2024-11-22T08:14:48.000Z | 2024-11-22 08:14:48 | I’d recommend giving Spellbound a watch because it brings one of the directors of Shrek back in the animated fantasy space to talk about divorce, and her film has three reasonably memorable action sequences that accentuate its core themes. |
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