Brave

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2:30

Brave

PG

2012

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Comedy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

254 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Merida (Kelly Macdonald), the impetuous but courageous daughter of Scottish King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), is a skilled archer who wants to carve out her own path in life. Her defiance of an age-old tradition angers the Highland lords and leads to chaos in the kingdom. Merida seeks help from an eccentric witch (Julie Walters), who grants her an ill-fated wish. Now, Merida must discover the true meaning of courage and undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

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Critics Consensus

Brave offers young audiences and fairy tale fans a rousing, funny fantasy adventure with a distaff twist and surprising depth.

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Rafer Guzman

Newsday

The main problem is that Merida craves adventure but Brave limits her to mother-daughter psychodrama.

Nov 18, 2013

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

By the climax, at which all right-thinking viewers will have dissolved in a puddle of warm appreciation, the new Pixar film has earned two cheers and a big bear hug.

Nov 18, 2013

Full Review

Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

The story for this revisionist fairy tale, which promotes contemporary attitudes about parenting and gender equality, is less inspired than usual for Pixar, but the movie upholds the studio's high standard of computer animation.

Nov 18, 2013

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Many daughters, young and old, can relate to this kind of story about the plans and expectations that their mothers have for them that differ from their own interests.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 18, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Merida becomes a rare kind of protagonist, whose lesson tells a rapt audience that defying customs is okay, as long as we take responsibility for our actions and consider the ones we love in the process.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

A powerful and relevant story wrapped up in gorgeous animation and one of the best soundtracks of the year.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

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Juju S

Les traditions doivent parfois évoluer avec le temps, et la force de caractère de Mérida qui refuse qu’on choisisse le tracé de sa vie à sa place en est le parfait exemple. Ce film est aussi une belle démonstration de l’amour d’une mère pour son enfant, même si parfois le dialogue met du temps à arriver.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

Eric A

I love this movie! It makes me miss my mom and want to hug her. It's funny too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

Full Review

K G

I Could Finally Watch a Pixar Movie For the First Time. When I was little, I found it uncomfortable to sit through most Pixar movies believing that it was a boys thing because many had male led focuses, until I was aware of this movie, it was like no other Pixar movie I ever seen, a move up from "Cars 2". This movie had a female lead, who was a princess, a Scottish princess, which is a rare theme for an American animated movie. I love that Merida was believed in by her father for following her heart to not need a man & do whatever she wants (fighting from her own hand), not based off the embarrassing cliche (traditionalism). Maturing is realising that Queen Elanor deserved to be turned into a bear for not allowing Merida to be what she wanted to be. Being turned into a bear was a punishment & to be changed back was forgivable, knowing her daughter's liberty mattered more than what she expects. Follow the wisps, your fate lives within you, be brave enough to know it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

Jackson W

Great movie, wish it had a second. The story feels a little bumpy and gives brother bear vibes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

Alex L

Wreck it Ralph is Better than this piece of Crap

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

Full Review

Francesco P

Insomma, mi sarei aspettato qualcosa di più

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/25

Full Review

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Mark Andrews

Director

Brenda Chapman

Director

Kelly Macdonald

Merida

Billy Connolly

Fergus

Emma Thompson

Elinor

Julie Walters

The Witch

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Brave: 'The Prize' Trailer

2:30

Brave: 'Families Legend' Trailer

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Brave: Trailer 1

2:04

Brave: Teaser Trailer 1

1:05

Brave: Teaser Trailer - The Triplets

1:01

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Synopsis

Merida (Kelly Macdonald), the impetuous but courageous daughter of Scottish King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), is a skilled archer who wants to carve out her own path in life. Her defiance of an age-old tradition angers the Highland lords and leads to chaos in the kingdom. Merida seeks help from an eccentric witch (Julie Walters), who grants her an ill-fated wish. Now, Merida must discover the true meaning of courage and undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
Screenwriter: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi
Distributor: Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney
Production Co: Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Studios
Rating: PG (Some Scary Action|Rude Humor)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Comedy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 22, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Atmos, Surround

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