Overview
A vibrant celebration of life and love across fantastical realms awaits in this animated adventure.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- uplifting
- colorful
- family movie night
- day of the dead celebration
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s gorgeous, colorful animation and enchanting atmosphere while finding its storyline formulaic and less finely crafted.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses a highly stylized 3D aesthetic and a spectacular sea of colors to distinguish its three fantastical worlds.
Day of the Dead imagery and the afterlife journey connect Manolo’s choices to family history and remembrance.
Manolo must choose between fulfilling his family’s expectations and following his own heart.
Manolo’s adventure spans three fantastical worlds while confronting fears that threaten his identity and soul.
Films like The Book of Life, and why
Coco
vivid family fantasy, musical storytelling, mythic afterlife, and colorful animation
Coraline
family-friendly fantasy adventure with a young protagonist, emotional themes, and visually distinctive animation
Coco Before Chanel
Mexican cultural setting, celebration of the dead, romantic adventure, and exuberant animated design
Movie Details
- Director
- Jorge R. Gutierrez
- Release Date
- 2014-10-01
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (3018)
Cast
- Diego Luna
- Zoe Saldaña
- Channing Tatum
- Ron Perlman
- Christina Applegate
- Ice Cube
- Kate del Castillo
- Héctor Elizondo
- Danny Trejo
- Carlos Alazraqui
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
- 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 The Book of Life about?
- A spirited Mexican fantasy musical follows a young bullfighter through dazzling realms of the dead as he chooses his own destiny over family expectation.
- What is The Book of Life like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Book of Life as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Book of Life violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Book of Life as mild.
- What did critics think of The Book of Life?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s gorgeous, colorful animation and enchanting atmosphere while finding its storyline formulaic and less finely crafted.
- Which films are like The Book of Life?
- Films with a similar feel include Coco, Coraline, and Coco Before Chanel.
- How long is The Book of Life?
- The Book of Life runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Book of Life?
- In United States, The Book of Life streams on Disney Plus, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.
