Saving Mr. Banks

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 2013

2 hr. 5 min.

Drama

Comedy

List

79%

264 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Spurred on by a promise he made to his daughters, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) embarks on what would become a 20-year quest to obtain the movie rights to "Mary Poppins." The author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), proves to be an uncompromising curmudgeon who has no intention of letting her beloved characters become mangled in the Hollywood machine. However, when the books stop selling and she finds herself in need of money, Travers reluctantly agrees to consider Disney's proposition.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 29

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Watch Saving Mr. Banks with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Aggressively likable and sentimental to a fault, Saving Mr. Banks pays tribute to the Disney legacy with excellent performances and sweet, high-spirited charm.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Member

Fun to watch Disney do its thing, always nice to watch a heart change from a tough personality to one who starts to enjoy the simple things in life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

John S

Beautiful. Powerful. I'm watching mary poppins tomorrow, and it's story will never be the same ♥️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Sparky K

I almost didn't watch this, thinking ‘why do I want to see a film about the making of Mary Poppins' (not my kind of film at all). By the end of the film, I had forgotten Tom Hanks was playing a part, and was totally convinced I was watching Walt Disney. Completely engrossed from start to finish, and am now even tempted to see the Mary Poppins film itself!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

Full Review

Meydiana R

Maybe The Best Movie I've Seen All Year As a child, one of my favorite movies was always "Mary Poppins". Being young, I obviously couldn't articulate exactly WHY I liked it so much (I'm sure the catchy music had a lot to do with it), but I wore a tract in the VCR with it, that is for sure. After seeing "Saving Mr. Banks", however, I was astounding to realize perhaps part of the reason why "Mary Poppins" stands the test of time: because the message behind it is one born out of real-life issues. For a basic plot summary, "Saving Mr. Banks" focuses on P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), writer of the "Mary Poppins" children's novel. For 20 years, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) has been pursuing the rights to make the book into a movie, finally culminating in him flying Travers to Los Angeles to begin work on the project. When Travers wants full creative control and clashes monumentally with Disney's version of the film, it is revealed (via flashbacks) how personal the Poppins story truly is to Travers. The reason why this movie is so touching and genuine is because it works on two different levels: On one hand, it brings back incredible nostalgia for fans of Disney's "Mary Poppins". Just hearing the iconic music again and seeing how key plot/character points came together is exciting. On the other hand, those (though probably few and far between) who haven't seen the movie will still be intrigued by the fascinating backstory of P.L. Travers. More specifically, the role her father (played by Colin Farrell) played in her life and how that relationship shaped her persona even into adulthood. Some fascinating human dynamics that prove out the old "truth is stranger than fiction" maxim. The hallmark of "Saving Mr. Banks", though, is its ability to have audiences laughing, crying, singing, and feeling all in the span of two hours. The complex characters, catchy tunes, and use of flashbacks prove a potent mixture of drama and fun. This is truly a film for the entire family. Until recently, "Prisoners" had been cemented atop my "Best Movie of 2013" list. "Saving Mr. Banks", however, is just as good, if only in a completely different way. I'm sure I'll enjoy some more genre Hollywood fare this holiday season ("Hobbit 2", "Anchorman 2", "Grudge Match", etc.), but I have a feeling that when all is said and done

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/24

Full Review

Michael P

Great movie and very moving in many parts of the film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

Full Review

Troy P

Two stellar performances by the leads. Some very solid performances by the supporting cast. I'll end up watching this one once a year, because it's that good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

John Lee Hancock

Director

Emma Thompson

P.L. Travers

Tom Hanks

Walt Disney

Paul Giamatti

Ralph

Jason Schwartzman

Richard Sherman

Colin Farrell

Travers Goff

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

80%

66%

Quartet

37%

32%

Admission

21%

29%

Darling Companion

TRAILER

for Darling Companion

33%

53%

Girl in Progress

78%

78%

St. Vincent

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Parental Guidance: Divergent and Muppets Most Wanted, Plus Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks

Critics Consensus: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is Certified Fresh

Video: Colin Farrell Had a One-Eyed Gardener

View more photos

Laura Mandanas

Autostraddle

The movie is charming and Emma Thompson, per usual, makes for an utterly endearing misanthrope. However, I have to question the decision to gloss over Travers' queer identity.

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It is not a taxing film. You always know where it's going and, with its rather melodramatic flashbacks, there is no ambiguity as to where it is coming from, but neither matters as much as they should as there is just so much joy to be had otherwise.

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... it follows the Disney modus operandi of ultimately exalting even the most unlikable characters in order to satisfy their traditional family audiences.

Rated: B-

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In traditional Disney fashion, something true has been transformed into a heartwarming, overly saccharine commercial.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Uniformly excellent performances to cover the movie's languid pacing.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Nicole Ackman

Next Best Picture

It's surprisingly melancholy in tone, but in an oddly pleasing way that feels reverent to the subject material as it reveals how the film Mary Poppins almost never was.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 30, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Spurred on by a promise he made to his daughters, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) embarks on what would become a 20-year quest to obtain the movie rights to "Mary Poppins." The author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), proves to be an uncompromising curmudgeon who has no intention of letting her beloved characters become mangled in the Hollywood machine. However, when the books stop selling and she finds herself in need of money, Travers reluctantly agrees to consider Disney's proposition.

Director: John Lee Hancock
Executive Producer: Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Christine Langan, Troy Lum
Screenwriter: Kelly Marcel, Sue Smith
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Ruby Films, Essential Media and Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Unsettling Images)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.3M
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now