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Strange Magic

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2:32

Strange Magic

PG

Released Jan 23, 2015

1h 39m

Kids & Family

Musical

Comedy

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Bog King (Alan Cumming) leader of the Dark Forest, hates the notion of love and has ordered the destruction of all primroses, which are an essential ingredient of love potions. However, when he meets Marianne (Evan Rachel Wood), a feisty fairy princess whose heart was broken by a philandering fiance, he begins to change his mind. Meanwhile, an elf named Sunny (Elijah Kelley) makes his way to the Dark Forest to collect enough primrose petals for a potion of his own.

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Critics Consensus

Like most modern animated movies, Strange Magic is lovely to look at; unfortunately, there isn't much going on beneath the surface.

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Helen O'Hara

Empire Magazine

While there are fun moments, the whole is an odd mix of grotesquerie and cutesiness.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 27, 2015

Full Review

Alan Scherstuhl

Village Voice

The best Lucas film in 25 years: funny, idiosyncratic, hippy-dippy, packed with creatures and visions worth beholding.

Feb 2, 2015

Full Review

Steve Davis

Austin Chronicle

By the time the film's ending upends traditional conventions with its unlikely couplings, you're too distracted to fully appreciate the chutzpah, instead cringing at the opening chords of "Wild Thing."

Rated: 1/5

Jan 29, 2015

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Takes some simple ideas-beauty is only skin deep and love conquers all-and sprinkles them with fairy dust to create a musical that plays like Moulin Rouge for kids.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Bogged down by insipid dialogue.

Rated: 1.5/4.0

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

As it stands, this is the sort of project for which the term 'colossal misfire' seems purposefully coined.

Rated: 3/10

Feb 24, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

I do not care what anyone else in the review comment section says, this movie is peak! If you want to watch a movie with the kids, I’d definitely recommend it. And I’m not just saying that because I grew up watching it. I genuinely liked the plot, the world building, the characters, their chemistry & dynamics with one another. The animation style is also very nice to look at & has aged well for cgi standards. Except Sunny, I’ve had beef with that pint-sized wimp since day one, I think he might be my main issue with the entire film. If I did have to fault this movie for one thing, it’s that the song placement can feel very odd at times, and the usage of pop songs feels odd, it might take you out of it at times, but you’ll get used to it. The message of the movie is also very well done, reminds me of Shrek, which is a Magnum opus of Cinema as well. Honestly, this movie does not deserve the crap it gets. Obviously, no media is exempt from criticism, but I was so sad when I saw the reviews :(

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Tricia P

Just non stop popular song references - the whole "musical" part is just bits of chorus from the most popular songs at the time the movie was made. Seriously every other line! Just such a weird choice for a movie, probably why I had never heard of it before

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

Luke H

This movie is very beautiful to look at. The story is really touching, being a true enemies to lovers situation. Very funny, most of the songs are catchy and overall a wonderful experience. A story about how true love is more than just skin deep infatuation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Lucas D

Muy hermosa película, me encantó. Ojalá sacaran una secuela

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Audience Member

idk why u guys say it's a bad movie it's amazing and funny and SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH! YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOUUU

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Izzy O

Not the worst movie I’ve ever seen. The animation style is cool and the plot is enjoyable but I couldn’t get over the fact that the creepy elf who wanted to drug Dawn with a love position got a happy ending… Like what do you mean there are absolutely no consequences for that creepy behaviour and intention… “if she won’t love me I’ll make her!” “Oh it’s ok because she loves me anyway at the end without the potion!” What a weird message to send to kids.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

Full Review

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Gary Rydstrom

Director

Alan Cumming

Bog King

Evan Rachel Wood

Marianne

Kristin Chenoweth

Sugar Plum Fairy

Maya Rudolph

Griselda

Sam Palladio

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Strange Magic: Trailer 1

2:32

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Synopsis

Bog King (Alan Cumming) leader of the Dark Forest, hates the notion of love and has ordered the destruction of all primroses, which are an essential ingredient of love potions. However, when he meets Marianne (Evan Rachel Wood), a feisty fairy princess whose heart was broken by a philandering fiance, he begins to change his mind. Meanwhile, an elf named Sunny (Elijah Kelley) makes his way to the Dark Forest to collect enough primrose petals for a potion of his own.

Director: Gary Rydstrom
Producer: Mark S. Miller
Screenwriter: David Berenbaum, Irene Mecchi, Gary Rydstrom
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG (Some Action|Scary Images)
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Comedy, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.4M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos

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