Kubo and the Two Strings

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Kubo and the Two Strings

PG

Released Aug 19, 2016

1h 42m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

Action

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Young Kubo's (Art Parkinson) peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

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Critics Consensus

Kubo and the Two Strings matches its incredible animation with an absorbing -- and bravely melancholy -- story that has something to offer audiences of all ages.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Sweeping tableaux, a wonderful voice cast and adventure that feels genuinely folkloric make this a film that definitely deserves to be taken out of cellophane.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 27, 2016

Full Review

Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

A glorious flight of the imagination.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 10, 2016

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It explores unexpectedly profound ideas of rebirth and destiny rewritten, like origami paper sheets refolded into another form.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 11, 2016

Full Review

Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Thrilling, gorgeous to look at, and packs an emotional punch. This new 4K release provides the best method for rewatching a masterpiece.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2025

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Kubo and the Two Strings isn’t a film that relies on emotion, but rather, it earns its affection by delivering a fun story that is engaging and moving...

Rated: A

Aug 19, 2024

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

What casts the film’s most potent spell is the exquisite animation, haunted by centuries of Japanese art and thoroughly bewitching throughout.

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

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CaptainBoulder T

Really great and emotional movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Arthur H

The protagonist Kubo is trying to stay alive so that he can enact an unenthusiastic revenge. Even the ending is annoyingly confusing, though it starts off very interesting but quickly loses it's charm halfway.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

Full Review

TROYS S

Kubo and the Two Strings is a delightful stop-motion animated film that was surprisingly emotional and very charming.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Pedro Henrique C

I was quite surprised by the amount of "Kubo" This film basically has no flaws, it was made basically with a lot of calm and lightness and with an extraordinary story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Stephen C

1 hour and 42 minutes is long, but successful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $48,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

Diogo S

From the Art Direction to the Facial expressions. All on point.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

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Travis Knight

Director

Charlize Theron

Monkey

Art Parkinson

Kubo

Ralph Fiennes

Moon King

George Takei

Hosato

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Hashi

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Kubo and the Two Strings: Trailer 4

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Kubo and the Two Strings: Trailer 3

2:14

Kubo and the Two Strings: Trailer 2

2:25

Kubo and the Two Strings: Trailer 1

1:59

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Synopsis

Young Kubo's (Art Parkinson) peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

Director: Travis Knight
Producer: Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight
Screenwriter: Marc Haimes, Chris Butler
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, Laika
Rating: PG (Scary Images|Action and Peril|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $48.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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