The Star

Play trailer

2:00

The Star

PG

2017

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

71%

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

Stream 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

12/01/2017

2/5

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

Go to Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

12/01/2017

1.5/5

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

Go to Full Review

Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

11/29/2017

1/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/01/2021

2/4

Neither the humor nor the animation ever rises above humdrum.

Go to Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

08/24/2021

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

Go to Full Review

Jason Escamilla

EskimoTV

05/08/2019

C-

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Apr 18

The Star (2017) is a lighthearted animated retelling of the Nativity story told from the perspective of the animals involved. While the idea is interesting and clearly aimed at a family audience, the execution feels fairly average and doesn’t fully stand out among other faith-based or holiday animated films. The animation is colorful and serviceable, and there are a few charming moments, especially with the animal characters. However, the humor is often too simple, and the story stretches itself thin trying to add comedic side plots that don’t always land. The emotional impact of the historical story it’s based on is also softened quite a bit, making it feel less meaningful than it could have been. It’s not bad, just very middle-of-the-road—watchable for kids, but not particularly memorable. Overall, i'd gave it a 5/10.

See more

vanessa R

@RT58567972 Mar 15

Muy buen película cristiana donde ver : Netflix (en la temporada navideña) clasificación G

See more

Evan I.

@WhyteTiger Mar 3

This movie is so underrated. It deserves so much more recognition. Watch it. It's amazing I promise

See more

Parents C.

@veronicaglaude Feb 4

This is an adorable family friendly movie about the animals perspective during the birth of thee Messiah Christ. The other reviews feels personal towards the faith than about the movie itself. I enjoyed the hilarious camels and didn’t realize how many celebrities were in this film. My favorite character is Dave the bird. I also cried when every knee bowed when Christ was born. Is this movie memorable no is it kid friendly yes.

See more

milagros M

@MiraclesMa Jan 15

This movie shows how important friendship is, it teaches children that compassion and forgiveness is valuable, and the animation is beautiful. We watch it each Christmas

See more

Logan R

@Loganreuter Jan 10

As a film made to introduce kids to the birth of Jesus in an age-appropriate manner, it works but isn't impressive beyond that.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Timothy Reckart

Director

Steven Yeun

Bo

Keegan-Michael Key

Dave

Aidy Bryant

Ruth

Gina Rodriguez

Mary

Zachary Levi

Joseph

The Star: The Star - The Best Nativity Movie Ever! 4K Video

9:46

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

View more videos

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

60%

54%

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

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

97%

89%

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

30%

28%

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

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: Franklin Entertainment, Affirm Films, Walden Media, Sony Pictures Animation, Columbia Pictures, The Jim Henson Company
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)