Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- witty
- uplifting
- family movie night
- lazy afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an appealing, fanciful animated family adventure whose dark silliness is balanced by genuine emotion and warmth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tim and his siblings respond to parental neglect by planning to orphan themselves and take control of their circumstances.
The children's murderous vacation scheme includes fanciful images of lava, sharks, cannibals, glaciers, acid, and bears.
The Willoughby children seek new parents and ultimately move toward a more supportive family structure.
Critics specifically praised the inventive and luminous animation, which contrasts with the grim premise.
Films like The Willoughbys, and why
The Addams Family
whimsical animated family adventure combining eccentric humor, emotional warmth, and imaginative visual world-building
Despicable Me
stylized animated comedy about children navigating dysfunctional family relationships through mischievous plans
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
colorful family fantasy with orphaned children, comic peril, and a heartfelt found-family arc
Movie Details
- Director
- Kris Pearn
- Release Date
- 2020-04-22
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1007)
Cast
- Will Forte
- Maya Rudolph
- Alessia Cara
- Terry Crews
- Martin Short
- Jane Krakowski
- Seán Cullen
- Ricky Gervais
- Fiona Toth
- Islie Hirvonen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Willoughbys about?
- Four neglected siblings plot an outrageously perilous escape from their parents and stumble toward the loving family they actually need.
- What is The Willoughbys like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Willoughbys as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Willoughbys violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Willoughbys as mild.
- What did critics think of The Willoughbys?
- Critics broadly found the film an appealing, fanciful animated family adventure whose dark silliness is balanced by genuine emotion and warmth.
- Which films are like The Willoughbys?
- Films with a similar feel include The Addams Family, Despicable Me, and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
- How long is The Willoughbys?
- The Willoughbys runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Willoughbys?
- In United States, The Willoughbys streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
