The Star

Play trailer

2:00

The Star

PG

Released Nov 17, 2017

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

45%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told -- the first Christmas.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

The Star may not leave audiences singing "Hallelujah," but its offbeat yet sincere approach to the nativity story makes for acceptably diverting holiday viewing.

Read Critics Reviews

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The film believes its myths and propagates them through some of the cheesiest God pop you could ever dread to hear.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 1, 2017

Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

This thin storyline is padded out with subplots that showcase a bizarrely star-studded voice cast.

Rated: 1.5/5

Dec 1, 2017

Full Review

Ed Potton

Times (UK)

Why has nobody thought of this before - the Nativity retold for kids via knockabout animal animation and gloopy pop ballads? Oh yes, because it's an absolutely dreadful idea.

Rated: 1/5

Nov 29, 2017

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Neither the humor nor the animation ever rises above humdrum.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 1, 2021

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

The Star is a wonderful retelling of the Christmas story but with a fun twist: the animals who inhabit the story drive the action.

Aug 24, 2021

Full Review

Jason Escamilla

EskimoTV

Not a lot of enjoyable moments for adults to engage with but families may enjoy watching, as it is a kid-friendly telling of the birth of Jesus.

Rated: C-

May 8, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Keith H

Beautiful movie. My kids absolutely loved it! Great work

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

Full Review

Cudalbu R

Interesting to see the birth of the Messiah from the perspective of the side-characters and animals themselves.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

Victoria M

I loved this movie. Cute and clever. Such a funny twist on a serious event! My kids loved this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

Full Review

Jeniffer T

I was pleasantly surprised to find this movie on Netflix, and I’m so glad we watched it! Our toddler loved it, and we enjoyed it as a family. The animation is beautiful, and the story told from the animals’ perspective is both unique and heartwarming. There are several funny moments that had us all laughing together! It’s refreshing to see a movie with a biblical message, especially during the Christmas season. I highly recommend The Star for a fun and meaningful family movie night.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

Joe S

This was fun, my kids loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

Full Review

Gabriela L

Super tender! Loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Timothy Reckart

Director

Steven Yeun

Bo

Keegan-Michael Key

Dave

Aidy Bryant

Ruth

Gina Rodriguez

Mary

Zachary Levi

Joseph

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Star: Official Clip - Good Tidings of Great Joy

1:20

The Star: Official Clip - This Bird Can Dance!

3:04

The Star: Official Clip - When Animals Attack

3:49

The Star: Official Clip - The Nativity

4:46

The Star: Official Clip - Marketplace Disaster

2:44

The Star: Official Clip - Prayers from Donkeys

3:13

The Star: Official Clip - Animal Impersonations

1:58

The Star: Official Clip - Bo's Big Escape

2:07

The Star: Official Clip - The King of the Shoes

2:55

The Star: Official Clip - The Angel Appears Before Mary

1:42

View more videos

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

60%

53%

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

Watchlist

Free Birds

20%

45%

Free Birds

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Free Birds

The Angry Birds Movie 2

72%

84%

The Angry Birds Movie 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Angry Birds Movie 2

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

30%

26%

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Ferdinand

70%

52%

Ferdinand

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ferdinand

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Star: Trailer 1

2:00

The Star: International Teaser Trailer

1:01

The Star: Teaser Trailer 1

1:50

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told -- the first Christmas.

Director: Timothy Reckart
Producer: Jenni Magee-Cook
Screenwriter: Carlos Kotkin
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Affirm Films, Franklin Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, The Jim Henson Company, Sony Pictures Animation, Walden Media
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now