The Secret of Kells (2010)
90%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
7 wins & 7 nominations total
Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, The Secret of Kells hearkens back to animation’s golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by Irish mythology.
The Secret of Kells” is a visually stunning animated film that draws inspiration from Celtic mythology and medieval manuscripts. Critics have praised its unique and enchanting style, with some even comparing it to the works of Pixar. However, some have criticized its simple narrative, which may not fully engage all viewers. Overall, “The Secret of Kells” is a low-key pleasure that is worth seeking out for its beautiful animation and fascinating portrayal of medieval Celtic spirituality. Plus, who doesn’t love a good pagan-Christian balancing act?
Production Company(ies)
Ashton Productions, The Mirisch Corporation,
Distributor
GKIDS
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Cartoon Saloon, The Maltings, Tilbury Place, James’ Street, Kilkenny, Kilkenny County, Ireland
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital Dolby SR
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 18m
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Language(s):English, Irish, Gaelic
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Country of origin:Belgium, France, Ireland
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2010 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 5, 2010
Genre(s)
Adventure/Fantasy
Keyword(s)
Adventure, Fantasy, English, Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, Didier Brunner, Tomm Moore, Viviane Vanfleteren, Paul Young, Fabrice Ziolkowski, Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Liam Hourican, Mick Lally, Michael McGrath, GKIDS, $686.4K, 90%, 85%, reviewed by Chris Chang, Derek Malcolm, Marc Lee, Peter Bradshaw, Alice Levick, Helen O’Hara, Yasser Medina, Mattie Lucas, Brandy McDonnell, Josh Larsen, David Keyes, David Nusair, starring Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Liam Hourican, Mick Lally, Michael McGrath, directed by Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, written by Fabrice Ziolkowski, produced by Didier Brunner, Tomm Moore, Viviane Vanfleteren, Paul Young, MPAA rating, Irish mythology, calligraphy, illuminator, Viking war party, monastery, enchanting tale, box office performance, budget, critic names, producer names, MPAA rating
Worldwide gross: $1,803,412
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,222,703
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,387
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 242,389
US/Canada gross: $676,775
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $834,124
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,230
US/Canada opening weekend: $39,826
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $49,085
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,216
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $8,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $9,859,989
Production budget ranking: 1,682
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $5,309,604
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$12,946,890
ROI to date (est.): -85%
ROI ranking: 1,927
Evan McGuire – Brendan – Voice
Christen Mooney – Aisling – Voice
Liam Hourican – Leonardo – Voice
Mick Lally – Aidan – Voice
Michael McGrath – Adult Brendan – Voice
Director(s)
Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Writer(s)
Fabrice Ziolkowski
Producer(s)
Didier Brunner, Tomm Moore, Viviane Vanfleteren, Paul Young
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
7 wins & 7 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (83) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (8)
Kells has a decidedly pleasing-to-the-eye, retro-cartoon vibe ( … ) an intriguing and rare artistic subgenre
November 13, 2013
Chris Chang
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Tomm Moore’s Irish animation, drawn with painstaking reference to both Celtic myth and medieval manuscripts, possesses a lively originality that shows Europe’s animators not far behind America’s and in some ways in front of them.
October 6, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
The look of the film is simply ravishing.
September 30, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Marc Lee
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A low-key pleasure.
September 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A feast for the eyes that manages to be both whimsical and sinister.
September 30, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Alice Levick
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Unlike anything else you’ve seen, and very much worth seeking out, this is a unique and beautiful creation.
September 29, 2010 | Rating: 5/5
Helen O’Hara
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
‘The Secret of Kells’ is an independent animated film that, in my opinion, has an imaginative visual style, as well as allusions to Irish mythology, but its narrative is as soft as the sheets of a century-old manuscript. [Full review in Spanish]
September 17, 2020 | Rating: 5/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
Its skillful balancing act of paganism and Christianity in its evocation of medieval Celtic spirituality is both fascinating and enchanting.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
The rich colors, lavish designs and charming characters are capable of captivating even the most avid fans of computer animation.
August 13, 2018 | Rating: 4/4
Brandy McDonnell
The Oklahoman
Very few animated films have had such a mesmerizing, puzzle-like quality.
September 5, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
This is perhaps the most enchanting and zealous animated endeavor you will see this side of the Pixar lineup.
August 29, 2013 | Rating: 4/4
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org
…there’s never a point at which the viewer is wholeheartedly drawn into the admittedly simple narrative.
March 19, 2011 | Rating: 2/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews…
Plot
Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from the isle of Iona carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Brendan Gleeson voices the character of Abbot Cellach in The Secret of Kells.
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