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The Book of Life

Play trailer Poster for The Book of Life PG 2014 1h 35m Kids & Family Comedy Adventure Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 124 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their lives have taken different paths -- Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter -- one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband-and-wife deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle's outcome.
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The Book of Life

The Book of Life

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Critics Consensus

The Book of Life's gorgeous animation is a treat, but it's a pity that its story lacks the same level of craft and detail that its thrilling visuals provide.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Wilson Sydney Morning Herald Though the plot gets a bit congested, the film remains far less predictable than most of its kind. Rated: 3/5 Apr 2, 2015 Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) It's refreshingly sparky fare, boasting eye-catching design (wooden toys inspire CG magic), musical weirdness (Radiohead will never sound the same again) and proper laugh-out-loud jokes for young and old alike. Rated: 4/5 Oct 26, 2014 Full Review Mar Diestro-Dópido Sight & Sound Drawing on Mexican folklore and other Latin American traditions, Jorge R. Gutirrez's version of death in his beautiful, witty 3D-animated debut The Book of Life is bursting with vibrant colours and magic -- a constantly expanding, neverending party. Oct 24, 2014 Full Review Rolando Gallego EscribiendoCine The Book of Life fulfills its premise and contributes its specific uniqueness to the animated universe... [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Dec 29, 2023 Full Review Cory Woodroof Williamson Home Page The Book of Life, like the best animated films, has its own tone, which helps it stand apart as its own thing. The music, a mix of original songs and fun takes on pop hits, is also worthy of praise. Feb 11, 2022 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ An unexpected delight for all ages. Rated: 4/5 Feb 8, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Edy G. This Movie has some good music in the end Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review Obi-wan K Why was Radiohead in this movie Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/26/25 Full Review Oda B Absolutely loved this movie as a child. Still consider this one of my favourite. I think it’s way better than coco a shame more people don’t know about it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Esteban G This movie really touched my heart. Manolo's story is so emotional and authentic that I felt like I was living his adventures with him. The animation is beautiful, but what really shines is the way the movie celebrates culture and family. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Angie V It's a very beautiful movie, the story catch's you, and it's very entertaining and funny, Also it have emotional parts,gives a good message about the life Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Sebastian B I think it's a very beautiful film. It's one of those that touches the heart and shows the meaning of love and what one does for it and the beauty of a friendship. Boris Barreto Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Book of Life

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their lives have taken different paths -- Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter -- one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband-and-wife deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle's outcome.
Director
Jorge R. Gutierrez
Producer
Guillermo del Toro, Aaron D. Berger, Brad Booker, Carina Schulze
Screenwriter
Jorge R. Gutierrez, Doug Langdale
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
20th Century Fox Animation, Chatrone, Reel FX Creative Studios
Rating
PG (Mild Action|Brief Scary Images|Rude Humor|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 17, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$50.1M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
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