Once Upon a Forest

G

Released Jun 18, 1993

1 hr. 20 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

List

22%

23 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this animated tale, a toxic spill from an encroaching construction site threatens the life of a badger (Elisabeth Moss), so three woodland creatures -- wood mouse Abigail (Ellen Blain), mole Edgar (Ben Gregory) and hedgehog Russell (Paige Gosney) -- must brave a treacherous journey to find a cure. As the threat of the destructive humans looms ever closer, the animals are in a race against time as their remaining family and friends struggle to survive in the face of disaster.

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Critics Consensus

Inert animation and generically chipper characters rob Once Upon a Forest of any personality despite its well-intentioned message and critter appeal for very young children.

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Deasha S

Absolute childhood favorite. Watched a million times and always kept me intrigued. Today my children love as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/23

Full Review

Emily Y

This was my FAVORITE movie as a kid. Adults are assholes... this movie, through the eyes of a child (as it's intended), was perfection.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

Full Review

Steve D

Paper thin and cheaply made.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Ashley P

Childhood classic! Don't let their poor review keep you from giving it a chance if you're a fan of 80s-90s animation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/15/22

Full Review

Michelle B

My favorite movie ever growing up, as I loved animals. Its a morbid tale, but I think it helps teach kids why it's important not to litter and to take care of our world. Those commenting negatively on the drawing must be forgetting that this movie was made in 1993

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/22

Full Review

Audience Member

What the flying mother****?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

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Charles Grosvenor

Director

David Michener

Director

Michael Crawford

Cornelius

Ben Vereen

Phineas

Ellen Blain

Abigail

Ben Gregory

Edgar

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

It's a good thing this breezy animated adventure lasts only slightly more than 70 minutes. Children will no doubt enjoy its simple tale, but would probably grow restless if it went on for a minute longer.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 17, 2014

Full Review

Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

Respect for nature and the environment is a message that no one would quarrel with, but this is yet another example of a movie that can't or won't differentiate between technology and the use to which it is put.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 17, 2014

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The characters are not memorable; the songs are lame and the drawing style is pedestrian.

Rated: 1/4

Jun 17, 2014

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

A pleasing, sweet primer in caring for our flora and fauna.

Jun 6, 2018

Full Review

Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

For all the feeling the drawing instills in the figures, it might be termed inanimation.

Dec 7, 2017

Full Review

Candice Russell

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

From the first moments of Once Upon a Forest, there is evidence of high artistic standards. The backgrounds are beautifully detailed, right down to the shading and contours of a tree trunk.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 17, 2014

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this animated tale, a toxic spill from an encroaching construction site threatens the life of a badger (Elisabeth Moss), so three woodland creatures -- wood mouse Abigail (Ellen Blain), mole Edgar (Ben Gregory) and hedgehog Russell (Paige Gosney) -- must brave a treacherous journey to find a cure. As the threat of the destructive humans looms ever closer, the animals are in a race against time as their remaining family and friends struggle to survive in the face of disaster.

Director: Charles Grosvenor, David Michener
Executive Producer: William Hanna, Paul Gertz
Screenwriter: Rae Lambert, Kelly Ward, Mark Young
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Hanna-Barbera Productions, Harlech Television
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.1M
Sound Mix: Surround

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