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Kubo and the Two Strings

2016 · Movie · PG · 102 min · ★ 7.6 · 91% critics

AnimationAdventureFamily

In a village, a gifted boy entertains others by spinning vivid tales with magical origami. But when he accidentally summons an evil spirit out for vengeance, he’s pushed into a quest to uncover his father’s legacy, his own powers, and the fate of a mystical weapon.

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Details
Years
2016
Release date
2016-08-18
Language
English
Rated
PG
Runtime
102 min
Critic score
91/100
TMDB rating
7.6/10 (3,818 votes)
Box office
$76,249,438
Budget
$60,000,000
About

You’ll likely enjoy Kubo and the Two Strings if you want a whimsical, emotionally resonant fantasy adventure with mesmerizing visuals and a mysterious quest; Not for you if you prefer light, purely straightforward storytelling like Marcel the Shell with Shoes On or the gentler spookiness of ParaNorman.

Pros: imaginative origami fantasy; stunning animated visuals; heartfelt family themes | Cons: story uneven; characters occasionally forgettable; a few pacing issues

Themes

  • japan
  • samurai
  • magic
  • forgiveness
  • stop motion
  • storytelling
  • origami
  • feudal japan
  • mother son relationship

Awards & recognition

  • Academy Award — Best Visual Effects · 2017 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Animated Feature · 2017 · nominated
  • Annie Award — Best Animated Feature · 2016 · nominated
  • BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film · 2016 · nominated
  • Critics' Choice Movie Award — Best Animated Feature · 2016 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Travis Knight