Kensuke's Kingdom

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1:52

Kensuke's Kingdom

PG

Released Oct 18, 2024

1h 25m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A young boy and his family set off on a sailing trip of a lifetime until a violent storm erupts, sweeping Michael and his dog overboard. After washing up on a remote island, terrified, they struggle to survive and adjust to life alone, One day, Michael discovers he is not alone when he is confronted by a mysterious Japanese man who has lived there secretly since World War II, angry that Michael has arrived. However, as dangerous invaders threaten their fragile island paradise, Michael and the old man, Kensuke, join forces to save their secret world.

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Critics Consensus

Remaining loyal to its source material, Kensuke's Kingdom is a quietly engaging story with meticulous 2D animation that's more profound than average offerings

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Kambole Campbell

Time Out

Maudlin when it goes directly for the heartstrings, but it’s a pleasant enough coming-of-age fable. It’s hard not to wish for the film to lean a little more on its assured visual craft, especially as its story feels a little by the numbers.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 11, 2024

Full Review

Yasmin Omar

Empire Magazine

Though low-stakes for an adventure film, this is nonetheless an engaging, found-family eco-fable that imparts an important conservationist message with considerable, at times impressionistic, style.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Joel Oiku

Little White Lies

Remaining loyal to the source material, Boyle’s Kensuke’s Kingdom greets fans of the novel with a safe cinematic counterpart... remaining within the boundaries of the original narrative, arriving at set expectations and nothing more.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

There’s plenty for thoughtful children to engage with.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 21, 2025

Full Review

Joel Copling

Spectrum Culture

Kensuke’s Kingdom is an adventure story in the classical tradition, defined by patience and attentiveness to its characters.

Oct 24, 2024

Full Review

Chris Sawin

Bounding Into Comics

The character animation seems purposely flat so that the elaborate backgrounds pop with rich detail and eye-catching color. The film is so visually complex that it’s kind of heartbreaking that its writing is so simple.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 21, 2024

Full Review

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Jesus Gonzalez

this movie was incredible, the animation is like an art canvas so beautiful

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/24

Full Review

Jason B

Fabulous film for the whole family.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Violence, Thematic Content and Peril!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Beautifully animated, but hampered by a thin and predictable plot that leaves little to the imagination.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Patrick A

A breathtakingly beautiful film that’s gentle on the senses as it’s delicately delivered themes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Terry W

I found this film to be much more engaging, with an intimate and genuinely emotional feel that made it stand out. We really enjoyed the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/24

Full Review

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Neil Boyle

Director

Kirk Hendry

Director

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Mum

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Kensuke's Kingdom: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A young boy and his family set off on a sailing trip of a lifetime until a violent storm erupts, sweeping Michael and his dog overboard. After washing up on a remote island, terrified, they struggle to survive and adjust to life alone, One day, Michael discovers he is not alone when he is confronted by a mysterious Japanese man who has lived there secretly since World War II, angry that Michael has arrived. However, as dangerous invaders threaten their fragile island paradise, Michael and the old man, Kensuke, join forces to save their secret world.

Director: Neil Boyle, Kirk Hendry
Producer: Ruth Fielding, Camilla Deakin, Stéphan Roelants, Sarah Radclyffe, Barnaby Spurrier, Jean Labadie, Anne Labadie, Adrian Politowski, Martin Metz
Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment
Production Co: Bankside Films, Align, British Film Institute
Rating: PG (Violence|Thematic Content|Peril)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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