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Dumbo

Play trailer Poster for Dumbo G Released Oct 23, 1941 1h 4m Kids & Family Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
A young circus elephant is born with comically large ears and given the cruel nickname Dumbo. One day at a show, he is taunted by a group of kids, inciting his mother into a rage that gets her locked up. After Dumbo's ears cause an accident that injures many of the other elephants, he is made to dress like a clown and perform dangerous stunts. Everything changes when Dumbo discovers that his enormous ears actually allow him to fly, and he astounds everyone at the circus with his new talent.
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Dumbo

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Critics Consensus

Dumbo packs plenty of story into its brief runtime, along with all the warm animation and wonderful music you'd expect from a Disney classic.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) Though the character's eventual comic triumph is never in doubt, there are traumatic moments along the way, including an extraordinary, nightmarish drunk sequence that suggests the animators had early access to LSD. Sep 15, 2018 Full Review Rob Humanick Slant Magazine Perfection, thy name is Dumbo. Rated: 4/4 Sep 21, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Disney classic will still make you cry! Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...an awfully slight premise that’s employed to consistently watchable (yet rarely engrossing) effect by the various filmmakers... Rated: 3/4 Jul 22, 2025 Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film Dumbo is one of Disney’s most efficiently told films, clocking in at just over one hour yet conveying such powerful notions on discrimination and motherhood. Jun 18, 2024 Full Review Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn Outside of the film's animation, there is little for the audience to truly appreciate outside of the film's more basic emotional swings. Oct 21, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Briana Hurlston I enjoyed watching the movie with my children. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/23 Full Review Luiz Eduardo R Crítica resumida – Dumbo (1941) Dumbo é um filme repleto de cenas encantadoras, engraçadas e marcantes, todas muito bem construídas, que aproximam o público dos protagonistas e permitem compreender suas motivações. As mensagens sobre preconceito e amor materno são transmitidas com grande sensibilidade, enquanto a crítica à maldade humana contra os animais é trabalhada de forma contundente. As canções são memoráveis, com destaque para a emocionante “Meu Bebê” e para a polêmica, porém brilhantemente animada, cena dos Elefantes Rosa. O uso criativo de diferentes técnicas de animação enriquece ainda mais a experiência. Não por acaso, este foi o filme favorito de Walt Disney. Nota 9/10. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Joseph S Dumbo is one of the most polarizing films made by Walt. Sometimes it's very serious in tone such as when Mrs. Jumbo is being taken away to solitary confinement and the "Baby Mine" scene, but other times it is way too silly and it feels almost like a stereotypical guide to the circus or a compilation of generic circus gags. Character development is poor and the story is bland, and there are many scenes that are not relevant to the story or any form of development. The music is also hit-or-miss, sometimes it's fantastic, other times it is too reckless and campy. The sequence I use to describe the film is the "Pink Elephants on Parade." The build-up to it and the actual scene itself has no place being in the film whatsoever, and has little relevance to the plot. However, it works in the weirdest way possible. The animation and music in this is nothing short of phenomenal, and the only part of the film that saves it from being much more. Dumbo is a film you have to watch once in your lifetime, but poor management in story and character development make it quite inferior to the three near-perfect films that came before it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/15/25 Full Review Alexander S This Disney classic takes flight with an adoring and emotional story, memorable musical notes, and sequences. Grading: B+ Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/09/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 4 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Cliff Edwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/25 Full Review Nicholas B Dumbo is a heartfelt 4.5-star animated classic that I truly admire. Its touching story, simple yet powerful themes, and emotional depth make it a standout Disney film. Dumbo’s journey of overcoming adversity is beautifully told, and the iconic animation and memorable music add to its charm. A timeless and deeply moving story that continues to resonate. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/25/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dumbo

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Movie Info

Synopsis A young circus elephant is born with comically large ears and given the cruel nickname Dumbo. One day at a show, he is taunted by a group of kids, inciting his mother into a rage that gets her locked up. After Dumbo's ears cause an accident that injures many of the other elephants, he is made to dress like a clown and perform dangerous stunts. Everything changes when Dumbo discovers that his enormous ears actually allow him to fly, and he astounds everyone at the circus with his new talent.
Director
Ben Sharpsteen
Producer
Walt Disney
Screenwriter
Joe Grant, Dick Huemer
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 23, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Runtime
1h 4m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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