Hugo (2011)
Kernel Score: 83% · 7,575 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family
Released: 2011-11-22
Runtime: 126 minutes
Is Hugo worth watching?
Worth watching. A gentle, handsome adventure about an orphan in a Paris train station and a toymaker's secret. It's a love letter to early cinema, and more patient than most family films.
Watch it if you
- love film history
- enjoy gentle, visually rich adventures
- want a family film with some depth
Skip it if you
- want fast action
- expect a typical kids' movie
Best for: Cosy family night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Hugo
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Accompanied by the goddaughter of an embittered toy merchant, Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home.
Hugo parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that Hugo is a family adventure about an orphan boy solving a mystery in 1930s Paris.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Mild peril involving a security guard chase and an orphan's precarious life, appropriate for the PG rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Hugo
If you liked Hugo, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Little Prince (2015) — 85%: A gentle, imaginative fable with a beautiful look.
- Klaus (2019) — 92%: A warm, handsomely made tale of friendship.
- The NeverEnding Story (1984) — 83%: Child-sized fantasy with wonder and heart.
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) — 91%: A warm classic about a life's meaning.
- Bridge to Terabithia (2007) — 84%: A child's imagination and deep emotion.
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) — 88%: A classic adventure of mystery and reinvention.
Director
Cast
- Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret
- Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès
- Chloë Grace Moretz as Isabelle
- Sacha Baron Cohen as Station Inspector
- Ray Winstone as Uncle Claude
- Emily Mortimer as Lisette
- Christopher Lee as Monsieur Labisse
- Helen McCrory as Mama Jeanne
- Michael Stuhlbarg as René Tabard
- Frances de la Tour as Madame Emilie
Hugo FAQ
Is Hugo worth watching?
Worth watching. A gentle, handsome adventure about an orphan in a Paris train station and a toymaker's secret. It's a love letter to early cinema, and more patient than most family films.
Where can I watch Hugo?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Hugo OK for kids?
Hugo is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Hugo is a family adventure about an orphan boy solving a mystery in 1930s Paris.
What movies are like Hugo?
If you liked Hugo, try The Little Prince, Klaus, The NeverEnding Story and It's a Wonderful Life.