Mysterious Island
Escaped Civil War prisoners transform a monstrous South Pacific island into a proving ground for ingenuity, courage, and wonder.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- spirited
- imaginative
- suspenseful
- family movie night
- classic adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic, skillfully directed fantasy adventure distinguished by imaginative creature effects, Bernard Herrmann's score, and Herbert Lom's performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Union escapees construct shelter, tools, and strategies while seeking a way home from the island.
The island features giant plants, insects, and animals brought to life through Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion effects.
The survivors encounter submarine technology and the concealed presence of Captain Nemo beneath the island's mysteries.
Escaped Union prisoners, civilians, and companions cooperate to survive hazards and devise a return home.
Films like Mysterious Island, and why
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
shared classic science fiction adventure, exotic island survival, and imaginative monster spectacle
The Lost World
shared literary adventure, stranded explorers, ingenious survival, and fantastical creatures
King Kong
shared family-friendly adventure, giant creatures, practical effects, and pulp fantasy atmosphere
Robinson Crusoe on Mars
shared deserted-island survival, exploration, and escapist adventure drawn from nineteenth-century literature
Movie Details
- Director
- Cy Endfield
- Release Date
- 1961-12-19
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (213)
Cast
- Michael Craig
- Joan Greenwood
- Michael Callan
- Gary Merrill
- Herbert Lom
- Beth Rogan
- Percy Herbert
- Dan Jackson
- Harry Monty
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mysterious Island about?
- Escaped Civil War prisoners transform a monstrous South Pacific island into a proving ground for ingenuity, courage, and wonder.
- What is Mysterious Island like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mysterious Island as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mysterious Island violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mysterious Island as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mysterious Island?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an energetic, skillfully directed fantasy adventure distinguished by imaginative creature effects, Bernard Herrmann's score, and Herbert Lom's performance.
- Which films are like Mysterious Island?
- Films with a similar feel include 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Lost World, King Kong, and Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
- How long is Mysterious Island?
- Mysterious Island runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mysterious Island?
- In United States, Mysterious Island is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
