Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Play trailer 1:03 Poster for The Ballad of Wallis Island PG-13 Released Mar 28 1h 40m Comedy Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 135 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Ballad of Wallis Island

The Ballad of Wallis Island

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Ballad of Wallis Island hums along a sweet melody without lapsing into outright sentimentality, mining a great deal of warmth from its humble premise.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (135)
Stephen Romei The Australian This is a fish-out-of-water, odd couple, art and romance dramedy that reminds me of terrific television series such as Hamish Macbeth (1995-97) and Northern Exposure (1990-95). It is charming throughout, humorous and moving. Rated: 4/5 Sep 2, 2025 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) There are songs sung sweetly, insults hurled then retracted, and a balm of kindness in every frame that emerges from somewhere between Basden’s hangdog sensitivities and Key’s cherubic wit. Rated: 4/5 Jun 4, 2025 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times What you also don’t anticipate is how poignant it all gets — a melancholy farce with an oddly pure soul. Rated: 4/5 Jun 4, 2025 Full Review Jane Freebury Jane Freebury A spirit of gentle forebearance pervades this clunky, downbeat relationship comedy, featuring a lonely eccentric obsessed with bringing his fave folk-music duo back together again Rated: 3/5 Sep 1, 2025 Full Review Harris Dang Impulse Gamer The Ballad of Wallis Island is a heart-warming, emotionally stirring, and amiably amusing piece that transcends its humble origins and well-worn premise with wonderful acting, understated storytelling, and a marvelous balance between comedy and pathos. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 30, 2025 Full Review Simon Miraudo Movie Squad (RTRFM 92.1) An amiable and 'ambient' comedy that warms the heart like a hot cuppa. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 29, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (51)
Olivia W Charming, original, completely enchanting film. Great characters. Perfect casting. A true gem. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/16/25 Full Review nicole j Very well made movie and super funny too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review Paul C Really cute show. A little slow at times but a really neat ending. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/08/25 Full Review Jeff Best movie of the year,incredible. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Brandon Slow, boring, not enough music, no climax. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/26/25 Full Review JEH a thoughtful take on real life and relationships Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/26/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Ballad of Wallis Island

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

The Ballad of Wallis Island

The Ballad of Wallis Island: Exclusive Movie Clip - Anecdotes The Ballad of Wallis Island: Exclusive Movie Clip - Anecdotes 1:32 The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - There Goes the Sun The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - There Goes the Sun 0:37 The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - Anecdotes The Ballad of Wallis Island: Movie Clip - Anecdotes 0:39 View more videos
Hearts Beat Loud 92% 74% Hearts Beat Loud Watchlist TRAILER for Hearts Beat Loud Blinded by the Light 89% 91% Blinded by the Light Watchlist TRAILER for Blinded by the Light The High Note 71% 73% The High Note Watchlist TRAILER for The High Note Bob Trevino Likes It 95% 98% Bob Trevino Likes It Watchlist TRAILER for Bob Trevino Likes It A Man Called Otto 70% 97% A Man Called Otto Watchlist TRAILER for A Man Called Otto Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.
Director
James Griffiths
Producer
Rupert Majendie
Screenwriter
Tom Basden, Tim Key
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Baby Cow Films
Rating
PG-13 (Some Language and Smoking)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 28, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 6, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.6M
Runtime
1h 40m
Most Popular at Home Now