The Book of Life

Play trailer

The Book of Life

PG

2014

1h 35m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

125 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Jake Wilson

Sydney Morning Herald

04/02/2015

3/5

Though the plot gets a bit congested, the film remains far less predictable than most of its kind.

Go to Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

10/26/2014

4/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Mar Diestro-Dópido

Sight & Sound

10/24/2014

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.

Go to Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

Dec 9

3/5

While the story treads familiar ground,...the animation (there's a 3D version) completely abandons naturalism to offer a rich universe filled with vibrant figures and elements rendered in a distinctly Mexican color palette! [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Rolando Gallego

EscribiendoCine

12/29/2023

7/10

The Book of Life fulfills its premise and contributes its specific uniqueness to the animated universe... [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Cory Woodroof

Williamson Home Page

02/11/2022

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Hannah P

@Hparks 6d

This film means so much to me. It’s a different edgy, funny but meaningful kids film. I rewatch it to feel that nostalgia as a kid in 2014. I know it’s a jukebox film but it just doesn’t feel like it. It is refreshing. I will always feel happy with this film.

See more

Glory K

@Ms.Glory Feb 23

Pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this when my kid made me watch it. Some real good stuff here.

See more

Maxsuel S

@Maxine191 Dec 29

Um bom filme e com uma bela história,um roteiro muito bem escrito, personagens complexos e uma lição de moral muito importante no final do filme.

See more

Jorge R

@jlrtechno Dec 29

While The Book Of Life is Cute and Imaginative. It sometimes it could be a bit messy with its humor and story at times! But still, a very nice movie.

See more

Sillyicyfemale

Dec 27

Wow I really like it

See more

Kim P

Nov 22

This is so engaging, with a more complex storyline than one expects in an animated film. Great moral messaging.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jorge R. Gutierrez

Director

Diego Luna

Manolo

Zoe Saldaña

Maria

Channing Tatum

Joaquin

Ice Cube

The Candle Maker

Ron Perlman

Xibalba

How to Train Your Dragon 2

92%

90%

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for How to Train Your Dragon 2

ParaNorman

89%

73%

ParaNorman

Watchlist

Shrek Forever After

58%

54%

Shrek Forever After

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Shrek Forever After

The Boxtrolls

78%

63%

The Boxtrolls

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Boxtrolls

A Town Called Panic

81%

86%

A Town Called Panic

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Town Called Panic

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now