The Black Cauldron

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The Black Cauldron

PG

1985

1h 20m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In the land of Prydain, lowly pig herder Taran (Grant Bardsley) dreams of becoming a gallant knight. Young Taran receives his heroic calling when the evil Horned King (John Hurt) kidnaps Hen-Wren, a prophesying pig that had been entrusted to Taran. Now, with help from his furry sidekick Gurgi and Princess Eilonwy, Taran must locate the magical black cauldron before the Horned King is able to use its mystical powers to summon an army of the undead.

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Critics Consensus

Ambitious but flawed, The Black Cauldron is technically brilliant as usual, but lacks the compelling characters of other Disney animated classics.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Technically brilliant though short on narrative, "The Black Cauldron" is a painless, old-fashioned way to take out the kids, and a triumph for the animation department at the Disney studio, where it has been in development for almost a dozen years.

Jan 3, 2018

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Empire Magazine

Possibly not the worst animated feature the House Of Mouse has produced, but certainly stumbling around the darker recesses of the Disney vault.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 4, 2009

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Variety Staff

Variety

The characters, though cute and cuddly and sweet and mean and ugly and simply awful, don't really have much to do that would remain of interest to any but the youngest minds.

Feb 5, 2009

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David Reddish

CBR

Flaws and all, it doesn't deserve its reputation as the nadir of Disney's animated storytelling. If nothing else, it's still a hell of a lot more entertaining than Wish.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 19, 2024

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Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

While The Black Cauldron might not be the best Disney film, it easily could be the studio's most underrated work.

Nov 11, 2023

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

“The Black Cauldron” is an intriguing medieval film to be shared by a family or any group of fantasy role-players.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2023

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Greg G

It was okay for a Disney movie. Did anyone notice that the voice of Gurgi sounds like Gollums on The Lord of the Rings

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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J W

I have no idea why this movie gets so much hate. It’s effing epic. This film has everything - a rag to riches tale of a young boy entrusted with a sacred mission, an evil overlord who wants to raise an army of the undead, and a clairvoyant pig, what else could you ask for! It’s visually stunning, dark and grueling, and generally a lot of fun. Although I’d say it’s not the typical disney feel good you may have come to love and expect…

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Evan B

Okay, for a film that nearly bankrupted the studio, it’s not as bad as you’d think… but I can partially see how that happened. Having said that, The Horned King fucking rules and I will die on that hill.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

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David D

Magically made. It's a wonderful film, although the narrative does hold it back from being a timeless classic. Great characters deliver joy, scares and childish adventure. One for every family.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

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Audience Member

Great movie but I HATE GURGI HE’S STITCH BUT WAY MORE ANNOYING

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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G.D. 0

One the best movies Disney ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

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Ted Berman

Director

Richard Rich

Director

Wayne Allwine

Henchman

James Almanzar

Henchman

Grant Bardsley

Taran

John Byner

Gurgi

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Synopsis

In the land of Prydain, lowly pig herder Taran (Grant Bardsley) dreams of becoming a gallant knight. Young Taran receives his heroic calling when the evil Horned King (John Hurt) kidnaps Hen-Wren, a prophesying pig that had been entrusted to Taran. Now, with help from his furry sidekick Gurgi and Princess Eilonwy, Taran must locate the magical black cauldron before the Horned King is able to use its mystical powers to summon an army of the undead.

Director: Ted Berman, Richard Rich
Producer: Joe Hale
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround

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