'

The Kid Who Would Be King

Play trailer

2:23

The Kid Who Would Be King

PG

Released Jan 25, 2019

2h 0m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Shilo Y

I seriously don’t understand the negative “people” or bots that can’t like kids being the heroes for once. It’s always the adults that have to be the heroes.😂🙄

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

Estuard F

Buena historia acerca de Excalibur con tono familiar y llena de aventura y acción.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joe Cornish

Director

Louis Ashbourne Serkis

Alex

Rebecca Ferguson

Morgana

Patrick Stewart

Adult Merlin

Dean Chaumoo

Bedders

Tom Taylor

Lance

Come Away

29%

50%

Come Away

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Come Away

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

42%

54%

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Watchlist

The Secret Kingdom

64%

50%

The Secret Kingdom

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Secret Kingdom

Pete's Dragon

88%

72%

Pete's Dragon

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Pete's Dragon

The BFG

74%

57%

The BFG

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The BFG

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2019

Weekend Box Office Results: Glass Remains on Top While New Releases Flop

The Kid Who Would Be King Is a Fun, Family-Friendly Fantasy

The Kid Who Would Be King: Trailer 2

2:23

The Kid Who Would Be King: Trailer 1

2:24

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now