The Kid Who Would Be King

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2:23

The Kid Who Would Be King

PG

2019

2h 0m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

193 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.

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Critics Consensus

The Kid Who Would Be King recalls classic all-ages adventures -- and repurposes a timeless legend -- for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

The movie has the freshness, innocence, and energy of youngsters on the threshold of adulthood, embarked on a grand heroic adventure.

Feb 19, 2020

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's got a great kid-energy to it, but also [has] real adventures, real danger, and real stakes.

Sep 17, 2019

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

I'm a huge fan of Cornish's 2011 debut Attack the Block, but this film isn't nearly as energetic or enjoyably wacky as its predecessor.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 17, 2019

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Not without its flaws for sure, but a film with a lot of fun to share and convictions to uphold.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 14, 2024

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Kate Boyle

InSession Film

The themes and messages of the film were relatable and thoughtfully packed in a whimsical coming of age adventure.

Rated: B

Mar 8, 2023

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Cornish’s family adventure film can be entertaining and is flawlessly produced, though it almost lands on the wrong side of the fence in terms of the fun by taking itself a bit too seriously.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Audience Member

Its a laugh watched it back in 2019

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Clare D

Refreshing, entertaining and perfect viewing for kids, that just want to be kids. A good, old fashioned adventure, set in modern times!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

Stephen C

What the **** were you all thinking?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Audience Member

Pretty good. I liked the action. The comedy felt sort've weak. Not a bad story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

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Audience Member

Absolute cinema, the movie of all movies. If i were to get brain damage for some reason or another and lose my memories of all the movies i watch and my fried brain can only handle watching one movie for all my lifetime, this is the movie. Peak hilarity, amazing storyline, charming characters. Especially merlin, he was just a chaos gremlin and he will crawl into your heart and bite it out to make a nest in there. I love him. One critic though is that the two other characters, kaye and Lance, are not properly fleshed out much and just kinda got glossed over, but ill let it slide for merlin. Meanwhile alex is also abit annoying and has a habit to be too much righteous but this is a kids movie so it checks, i care more for bedders since me and him have alot in common and hes such a typical nerdy best friend type that you cant help bit pity him. Anyway, other than that everything is absolutely phenomenal and an absolute must for a cozy family movie night or a cozy me time!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

Logan D

In modern day London, a young lad (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) pulls a sword from a stone and learns he is Arthur reborn. I loved the animated opening featuring the classic Arthur tale in abbreviated form. I'd love to see it fleshed into a whole film. Led by confident Serkis (yep, Andy's son; I know those eyes looked familiar!), the film features convictions, innocence, and perhaps can be sentimental but, who cares? Sometimes we need sentimentality. Plus, a small part played by Patrick Stewart is wonderful. For parents looking for a good modern film for kids, here it is!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

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Joe Cornish

Director

Louis Ashbourne Serkis

Alex

Rebecca Ferguson

Morgana

Patrick Stewart

Adult Merlin

Dean Chaumoo

Bedders

Tom Taylor

Lance

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49%

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The Kid Who Would Be King: Trailer 2

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The Kid Who Would Be King: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.

Director: Joe Cornish
Producer: Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Screenwriter: Joe Cornish
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Working Title Films, Big Talk Pictures
Rating: PG (Language|Fantasy Action Violence|Scary Images|Some Bullying|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 25, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.8M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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