The One and Only Ivan

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2:25

The One and Only Ivan

PG

2020

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

118 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A gorilla tries to piece together its past and escape captivity with help from an elephant.

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Critics Consensus

An uncertain approach to the story's darker themes undermines its emotional stakes, but The One and Only Ivan offers heartwarming entertainment for younger viewers.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

One of this summer's best family films.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 23, 2022

Full Review

Angie Han

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It doesn't feel like the film knows what it wants to be, and I think the biggest problem is that it brushes up against some really thorny territory like animal captivity and freedom... And yet it seems to really lack the teeth to go there.

Sep 1, 2020

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

The director and writer do introduce plot twists that are not in the book, but they should have gone further. They soften bits of it, with the younger viewers in mind. They should have had us on the edge of our seats...

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 31, 2020

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

Boasting an impeccable cast and one of my favorite scores of the year, this adaptation of Ivan's true story might follow a (slightly changed) generic formula, but it's undoubtedly an emotional journey worthy of everyone's attention.

Rated: A-

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The story shows signs of stress especially as it threatens to turn into an animal version of “The Great Escape”. White (thankfully) dials it back and points towards a potentially better finish.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 24, 2022

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Marwa Hamad

Gulf News (UAE)

As a whole, it deals delicately with loss, friendship and the idea of breaking the cycle of abuse.

Jul 15, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

It exists. Very forgettable

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

Julian L

Pretty good, but the book is better, and it has a good point of humans hurting animals but feels a bit exaggerated, even if not.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

Dale R

A Disney+ original movie based on the novel by K. A. Applegate, which in turn is based on true events about a Lowland Gorilla that was an attraction at a mall. Allowing the animals in the “Big Top Mall'' to have a voice was an interesting choice that I wasn’t ready for. Sam Rockwell voices Ivan well and Angelina Jolie was also great as the elephant Stella. Bryan Cranston plays the owner of the animals and delivers a good performance. The animation for the animals is on par with the Lady and the Tramp remake and using a gorilla as the main character allows for better facial emotional expression. The story itself is predictable and bland, but may entertain the younger audience. A movie worth checking out if you like the source material or the plot sounds interesting.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

SkyRo P

Prepare to be enchanted by the magical journey of "The One and Only Ivan," a film that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile. The CGI work is exceptional, drawing you in with its captivating visuals, complemented by stellar voice acting, particularly from Angelina Jolie. Charlie Puth's title track adds another layer of depth, keeping you engaged from start to finish. Within the first 20 minutes, tears welled up in my eyes, a testament to the emotional depth of the story. This movie tugs at your heartstrings, evoking a profound sense of sadness that resonates with the audience, highlighting the characters' value. The animals are charmingly eccentric, bringing humor and lightness to the narrative, yet there's a poignant undertone that keeps you invested in their journey towards survival and freedom. Every moment of the film is a delight, leaving you wanting more. It's a must-watch for families, offering valuable lessons about compassion, unity, and the bond between people and animals. "The One and Only Ivan" is a heartwarming tale filled with love and warmth that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. #TheOneAndOnlyIvan

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

Full Review

DJ W

Fun, entertaining, heartfelt family movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/23

Full Review

Rodrigo C

this is the movie that was the memory of Ivan the Gorilla 1962-2012

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/23

Full Review

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Thea Sharrock

Director

Sam Rockwell

Ivan

Angelina Jolie

Stella

Bryan Cranston

Mack

Brooklynn Prince

Ruby

Danny DeVito

Bob

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The One & Only Ivan: Featurette

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The One & Only Ivan: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A gorilla tries to piece together its past and escape captivity with help from an elephant.

Director: Thea Sharrock
Producer: Allison Shearmur, Angelina Jolie, Brigham Taylor
Screenwriter: Mike White
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Digital Makeup Group
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 21, 2020
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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