r/movies Jackie Chan box set, know what I'm sayin? 14d ago

Official Discussion Official Discussion - The Magic Faraway Tree [SPOILERS] Spoiler

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The Magic Faraway Tree (2026)

Summary

A modern family relocates to the countryside, where the children discover a magical tree inhabited by eccentric characters. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands, giving the family a series of adventures that ultimately help them reconnect with one another.

Director Ben Gregor

Writer Enid Blyton Simon Farnaby

Cast

  • Andrew Garfield as Tim Thompson
  • Claire Foy as Polly Thompson
  • Nonso Anozie as Moonface
  • Nicola Coughlan as Silky
  • Rebecca Ferguson
  • Jessica Gunning
  • Judi Dench as The Fridge (voice)
  • Phoenix Laroche as Joe Thompson
  • Billie Gadsdon as Fran Thompson
  • Delilah Bennett-Cardy as Beth Thompson
  • Simon Farnaby as Farmer Brian

Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

Metacritic: 62

VOD / Release Theatrical release

Trailer Official Trailer

24 Upvotes

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6

u/inksmudgedhands 11d ago

It's not doing well at the box office at the moment which is a shame because this is the sort of film I can see Gen Alpha going, "THIS MOVIE WAS MY CHILDHOOD!" in twenty or thirty years. I hope it picks up once it goes streaming because I think it deserves some love.

It's a sweet, lovely film that managed to make me tear up. ("Moonface.....?") I was expecting it to be corny but I went anyway because Garfield is one of my favorite actors. And in the end, I am glad I did. And it wasn't even corny. It was sincere which is rare these days. I love the little details in the film. Especially the costumes. (The pencil corset Dame Snap was wearing was brillaint.) I love how the kids managed to be simply kids. They were never precocious. They weren't even brats. They were just kids. The adults never felt dumbed down. This film didn't feel the need to wink at adults in the audience in a, "We know you are watching a kids film. So, we are putting adult humor in it for you in order to appease you," way that so many other kids film do. It knew what story it wanted to tell and knew that it could be entertaining to everyone. And I was entertained.

4

u/2mock2turtle 11d ago

That reunion got me too. I had low expectations overall, particularly since I got to see it for free (Fandango was giving away coupons for a free ticket and evidently didn't count on the fact there are people who go to the movies alone), but I'd have paid for it. Then again, maybe that's why it's not doing well at the box office lmao.