Watership Down

Play trailer

Watership Down

PG

Released Jan 1, 1978

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When a young rabbit named Fiver (Richard Briers) has a prophetic vision that the end of his warren is near, he persuades seven other rabbits to leave with him in search of a new home. Several obstacles impede their progress, including predators, a rat-filled cemetery and a speeding river. Upon arriving at their final destination, a hill dubbed Watership Down, the rabbits find that their journey is still far from over. Realistically drawn, this British animated film carries an emotional weight.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Aimed at adults perhaps more than children, this is a respectful, beautifully animated adaptation of Richard Adams' beloved book.

Read Critics Reviews

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

What follows is a landmark moment in British animation in a fearless adaptation of a Richard Adams novel directed by Martin Rosen, exploring the Homeric themes of conflict, slaughter, genocide and the clash of civilisations, but with rabbits.

Rated: 5/5

Nov 27, 2024

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

A band of rabbits must leave their warren to find safety in a film that, even in a digital age, still has the bloody force to scare young minds.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 23, 2024

Full Review

Tasha Robinson

The Dissolve

It's a work deeply enamored with its source material, and determined to do right by it, even if it means frightening kids, baffling parents, and embracing whatever style works.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 23, 2015

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Watership Down has a violent edge that reflects nature, which some might find at odds with the cutie patootie animation, but surely that’s exactly the point…it’s got a tough, environmentally sound message that was hard-hitting in 1978, and still is now.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 25, 2024

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

Trying to forge a relationship with the film ends up feeling like an overall empty experience.

Rated: C

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

I love the book and I think... that this is a worthy adaptation.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 21, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Lord V

A great classic film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Silver T

Well done movie from classic book. Animation isn't the best but it still looks nice. Music carries the story well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

David W

A seminal work which expanded the boundaries of what could be explored in animated form. A glorious soundtrack, wonderful voice acting, a tight script, expert direction and beautiful animation. Simply put it's one of those rare movies you need to see before you die. Once seen you will never forget it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Student: Jake M

I give this a 0 out of 10, because parents need to know this is a cartoon that involves creepy humor and blood in it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

r96 s

It sure lives up to its reputation! The sole thing I knew about 'Watership Down' pre-watch was that it's relatively graphic and had an impact on children at the time of its release. Well, I can certainly see why! Heck, even by today's standards it's still pretty out there in terms of how it portrays the violence. The animation, for its time, is absolutely splendid - super effective! The music is also noteworthy. I will say that I don't think the characters are anything above solid, like post-watch I can't really remember any of them individually; visually at least, because the voice cast are very good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

To F

Es tan fuerte y desgarradora. Sus personajes y su historia son tan profundos. Es una película sería y maravillosa. Sin olvidar sus bellísimos paisajes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Martin Rosen

Director

John Hurt

Hazel

Richard Briers

Fiver

Michael Graham Cox

Bigwig

John Bennett

Capt. Holly

Roy Kinnear

Pipkin

The Ten Commandments

19%

54%

The Ten Commandments

Watchlist

The Adventures of Tintin

75%

74%

The Adventures of Tintin

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Adventures of Tintin

Cloak and Dagger

67%

56%

Cloak and Dagger

Watchlist

Kensuke's Kingdom

97%

%

Kensuke's Kingdom

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Kensuke's Kingdom

The Journey of Natty Gann

91%

77%

The Journey of Natty Gann

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The 10 Scariest Animated Children’s Movies

New on DVD & Blu-Ray: Big Hero 6, Whiplash, Horrible Bosses 2, and More

2005 Stinker Awards Announced!

View more photos

Synopsis

When a young rabbit named Fiver (Richard Briers) has a prophetic vision that the end of his warren is near, he persuades seven other rabbits to leave with him in search of a new home. Several obstacles impede their progress, including predators, a rat-filled cemetery and a speeding river. Upon arriving at their final destination, a hill dubbed Watership Down, the rabbits find that their journey is still far from over. Realistically drawn, this British animated film carries an emotional weight.

Director: Martin Rosen
Producer: Martin Rosen
Screenwriter: Martin Rosen
Production Co: Warner Bros. Animation
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now