The Secret of Kells

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1:53

The Secret of Kells

2010

1h 18m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

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83 Reviews

85%

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10,000+ Ratings

In the remote Irish woods, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) prepares a fortress for an impending attack by a Viking war party. Unbeknown to Cellach, his young nephew Brendan (Evan McGuire) -- who has no taste for battle -- works secretly as an apprentice in the scriptorium of the local monastery, learning the ancient art of calligraphy. As the Vikings approach, revered illuminator Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives at the monastery and recruits Brendan to complete a series of dangerous, magical tasks.

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Critics Consensus

Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, The Secret of Kells hearkens back to animation's golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by Irish mythology.

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Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

Kells has a decidedly pleasing-to-the-eye, retro-cartoon vibe ( ... ) an intriguing and rare artistic subgenre

Nov 13, 2013

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Tomm Moore's Irish animation, drawn with painstaking reference to both Celtic myth and medieval manuscripts, possesses a lively originality that shows Europe's animators not far behind America's and in some ways in front of them.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 6, 2010

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Marc Lee

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The look of the film is simply ravishing.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 30, 2010

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

It's indescribable, the euphoria communicated by these non-abstract shapes and shades. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 19, 2022

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

'The Secret of Kells' is an independent animated film that, in my opinion, has an imaginative visual style, as well as allusions to Irish mythology, but its narrative is as soft as the sheets of a century-old manuscript. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Sep 17, 2020

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Its skillful balancing act of paganism and Christianity in its evocation of medieval Celtic spirituality is both fascinating and enchanting.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 5, 2019

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Marcos R

This is, at least visually speaking, possibly the most beautiful movie I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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Aluna U

The film tells the story behind the creation of the Book of Kells, blending history and fantasy through stunning animation and rich symbolism. While its visuals and sound design are captivating, the plot leaves some questions unanswered about the true "secret" of Kells. Still, the film offers a meaningful message about openness to new ideas and learning from others. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

TROY S

Magical, funny, wholly lacking in po-faced piety, the movie incorporates elements of Irish mythology and is drawn in a flat, stylised fashion that derives from the art of the time. It's about the creation of that which endures and asserts both man's faith in the spirit and his celebration of the beauty of this world.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

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pokemon trainer P

This is a must see movie. Absolutely gorgeous in every way! I'm Irish and I approve 💜

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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Jay W

The first entry of Cartoon Saloon/ animation director Tomm Moore, and this is off to a great start. Cartoon Saloon has been flying under the radar for far too long. They get nominated for Oscars, but their films are not typically met with much financial success. They make beautiful movies with creative stories and likeable characters. They seem to be the last studio that is trying to preserve 2D animation. This movie, in particular, loves the simplicity of shapes and demonstrates the beauty you can make from the basic shapes. Unlike some of the later works where they perfect their form, this one still demonstrates a lot of their raw untapped potential. I admire it as a first effort, it keeps things smaller in scale and shorter in length. It is a story that stays with me, it is one where it doesn't give the audience all the answers, and I like that. Don't let this movie be a secret anymore.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

Full Review

Noe G

The Secret of Kells is my favorite cartoon saloon movie and it’s amazing fantastic, outstanding, animated film and my rating is a 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

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Tomm Moore

Director

Nora Twomey

Director

Brendan Gleeson

Abbot Cellach

Evan McGuire

Brendan

Christen Mooney

Aisling

Liam Hourican

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The Secret of Kells: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the remote Irish woods, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) prepares a fortress for an impending attack by a Viking war party. Unbeknown to Cellach, his young nephew Brendan (Evan McGuire) -- who has no taste for battle -- works secretly as an apprentice in the scriptorium of the local monastery, learning the ancient art of calligraphy. As the Vikings approach, revered illuminator Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives at the monastery and recruits Brendan to complete a series of dangerous, magical tasks.

Director: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Producer: Didier Brunner, Tomm Moore, Viviane Vanfleteren, Paul Young
Screenwriter: Fabrice Ziolkowski
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Vivi Film, Belgacom TV, Euroimages Fund of the Council of Europe, Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, Les Armateurs, Kinepolis Multi, Canal+, Télédistributeurs Wallons, Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Conseil Général de la Charente, CinéCinéma, MEDIA Programme of the European Union, Tax Shelter ING Invest de Tax Shelter Productions, EU Media Plus Program, Wallimage, Conseil Régional de Poitou Charentes, Piste Rouge, Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds, Cartoon Saloon, Promimage, Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Communauté Française de Belgique, France 2 Cinéma
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $686.4K
Runtime: 1h 18m

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