The Nutcracker Prince

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The Nutcracker Prince

G

1990

1h 15m

Holiday

Fantasy

Animation

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Popcornmeter

25%

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8 Reviews

73%

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2,500+ Ratings

A girl and her nutcracker doll join a Christmas battle between toy soldiers and the minions of a mouse king.

Caryn James

New York Times

The new, animated Nutcracker Prince brings together Tchaikovsky's music, E. T. A. Hoffman's story and a few glib modern touches to create a muddled and bland version, which isn't the kind of difference it needs.

Mar 11, 2020

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Charles Solomon

Los Angeles Times

A blend of leaden gags, muddled storytelling and Saturday morning-style animation, it's more a holiday threat than a treat.

Mar 11, 2020

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The level of imagination in the story is about as inventive as on most Saturday morning cartoon shows.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Ted Mahar

Oregonian

"Prince" is a fine introduction to the classic tale. But Older viewers may find it largely unengaging.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 15, 2024

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

So-so adaptation has some scary moments for younger kids.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 19, 2013

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TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

Regrettably, this animated film is an unabashed bore, and that's a shame because the glorious Tchaikovsky ballet has been loved and admired by generations of stage, film, and television viewers of all ages.

Rated: 1/5

Aug 30, 2004

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Edward W

I rewatch every year. Childhood memories, music is superb with a charm of almost a Don Bluth animated feature.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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S. F

I know many people hated this film back in the 90ties but I loved it as a kid and I still do. Nicely drawn characters, sweet story a perfect movie for the Christmas season. Especially compared to the films today this movie is even better. It deserves another chance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/24

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Liam D

A very tonally confused adaption of the famous ballet with mediocre animation, decent voice acting and forgettable songs

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

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Steph G

I grew up watching this movie & now I play it for my kids each holiday season. The songs & characters are great. We love this variation of the nutcracker, especially since it is geared for children.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/23

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Tracy F

I was born in 85, so I'm old lol; I was never taught about the "Nutcracker". I watched this movie in 1995 (I was 10), and have been smitten with it since. It influenced me to sing, dance, and perform…I was an EXTREMELY shy child. I'm not saying I'm great at any of the things I listed above, but this movie made me feel like being me was okay. I made music such a large part of my life. This movie is funny, silly, dumb, and a part of you wishes you could have an Uncle Drosselmeyer in your life. ESPECIALLY the clock scenes; They make me feel like there's still magic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

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matthew p

Has the kind of charm lost in modern adaptations.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Paul Schibli

Director

Kiefer Sutherland

Nutcracker Prince

Megan Follows

Clara

Peter O'Toole

Pantaloon

Peter Boretski

Uncle Drosselmeier

Phyllis Diller

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Synopsis

A girl and her nutcracker doll join a Christmas battle between toy soldiers and the minions of a mouse king.

Director: Paul Schibli
Producer: Kevin Gillis
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Lacewood Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Holiday, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 1990, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Nov 9, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 15m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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