Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
92%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
33 wins & 67 nominations total
Kubo and the Two Strings matches its incredible animation with an absorbing — and bravely melancholy — story that has something to offer audiences of all ages.
Kubo and the Two Strings is a visually stunning masterpiece that will leave you breathless. The animation is so beautiful that you’ll want to pause the movie just to admire the intricate details. The story is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for Kubo and his friends. The voice cast is superb, with standout performances from Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey. This movie is a must-see for anyone who loves animation, adventure, and a good story. Don’t miss out on this gem!
Production Company(ies)
The Mirisch Company, Alpha
Distributor
Focus Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril
Year of Release
2016
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2016 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2016
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
Kubo and the Two Strings, PG, Fantasy/Adventure, 1h 42m, directed by Travis Knight, written by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler, produced by Arianne Sutner and Travis Knight, starring Charlize Theron as Monkey, Art Parkinson as Kubo, Ralph Fiennes as Moon King/Raiden, George Takei as Hosato, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Hashi, Brenda Vaccaro as Kameyo, box office gross of $48.0M, reviewed by Tara Brady, Kate Muir, Wendy Ide, Jacob Stolworthy, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Mike McCahill, Brian Eggert, Don Shanahan, Matt Brunson, Therese Lacson, Douglas Davidson, Michael J Casey, stop-motion animation, Japanese mythology, adventure, action, emotional, heartwarming, original, unique, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, detailed, tactile, thrilling, power of stories, quest, samurai warrior, family, magical instrument, gods, monsters, fallen father, rebirth, destiny, origami, Miyazaki, PG rating, Focus Features
Worldwide gross: $76,249,438
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $93,977,323
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,046
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 10,248,345
US/Canada gross: $48,023,088
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $59,188,387
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 997
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,608,372
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $15,539,800
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 771
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $60,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $73,949,914
Production budget ranking: 575
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $39,822,029
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$19,794,620
ROI to date (est.): -17%
ROI ranking: 1,487
Art Parkinson – Kubo (Voice)
Ralph Fiennes – Moon King, Raiden (Voice)
George Takei – Hosato (Voice)
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa – Hashi (Voice)
Brenda Vaccaro – Kameyo (Voice)
Director(s)
Travis Knight
Writer(s)
Marc Haimes, Chris Butler
Producer(s)
Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
33 wins & 67 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (228) | Top Critics (63) | Fresh (221) | Rotten (7)
Sweeping tableaux, a wonderful voice cast and adventure that feels genuinely folkloric make this a film that definitely deserves to be taken out of cellophane.
December 27, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
A glorious flight of the imagination.
October 10, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It explores unexpectedly profound ideas of rebirth and destiny rewritten, like origami paper sheets refolded into another form.
September 11, 2016 | Rating: 5/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
With utmost care applied to its every shot, the adults will be marvelling as much as the youngsters.
September 9, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Jacob Stolworthy
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The animation? Well, it robs you of breath, over and over again.
September 9, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Arrives as cherishable proof that it is still possible, amid heightened commercial imperatives, for digimators to push for reflective, affecting art.
September 8, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Mike McCahill
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
An adventure marked by dark, occasionally heavy themes, and resounding tenderness.
April 11, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Kubo and the Two Strings leaps off the screen with an original foreign folk tale that employs a rich originality and builds a strong base of emotional connection.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Don Shanahan
Every Movie Has a Lesson
It’s a visually striking picture, drawing much of its style from various Japanese modes of artistic expression, both ancient (origami) and modern (Miyazaki).
October 15, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
With stunning animation and heart-warming storytelling, Laika hits the nail on the head with this one and shows off a moving and powerful coming-of-age story…
October 9, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Therese Lacson
Nerdophiles
… the setting, the mythology, the design work of the characters, and the emotional power which runs throughout, never losing any bit of heft as the adventure goes on, building up until its thrilling end.
September 23, 2021
Douglas Davidson
Elements of Madness
A magnificent example of what stop-motion animation can bring to the screen.
July 1, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Michael J. Casey
Michael J. Cinema…
Plot
Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta. This causes all sorts of havoc as gods and monsters chase Kubo who, in order to survive, must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Charlize Theron voices the character of Monkey in Kubo and the Two Strings.
Travis-Knight.jpg
