Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- tense
- frightening
- family movie night
- weekend afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly found it an entertaining, imaginative family adventure with emotional heart and strong work from Freddie Highmore, though some felt the frantic effects-heavy presentation diluted its sense of wonder.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Helen, Jared, Simon, and Mallory relocate after the parents' separation and gradually cooperate against the creatures threatening the estate.
The run-down Spiderwick Estate becomes a gateway to an alternate world inhabited by fairies and other creatures.
Freddie Highmore plays twin brothers Jared and Simon, whose distinct personalities are repeatedly contrasted.
The film presents frightening creatures, accidents, and peril within a PG adventure designed for family viewing.
Films like The Spiderwick Chronicles, and why
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
shared family fantasy adventure, sibling teamwork, magical creatures, and accessible peril
The BFG
shared children discovering a hidden magical realm near an ordinary home, with imaginative creatures and family-centered stakes
A Series of Unfortunate Events
shared young protagonists, secret supernatural worlds, creature encounters, and a blend of wonder with frightening fantasy
Movie Details
- Director
- Mark Waters
- Release Date
- 2008-02-14
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (2957)
Cast
- Freddie Highmore
- Sarah Bolger
- David Strathairn
- Mary-Louise Parker
- Nick Nolte
- Joan Plowright
- Andrew McCarthy
- Seth Rogen
- Martin Short
- Jordy Benattar
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- 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 Spiderwick Chronicles about?
- Twin siblings and their sister uncover a dangerous fairy world hidden within their family’s crumbling new home.
- What is The Spiderwick Chronicles like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Spiderwick Chronicles as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Spiderwick Chronicles violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Spiderwick Chronicles as mild.
- What did critics think of The Spiderwick Chronicles?
- Critics broadly found it an entertaining, imaginative family adventure with emotional heart and strong work from Freddie Highmore, though some felt the frantic effects-heavy presentation diluted its sense of wonder.
- Which films are like The Spiderwick Chronicles?
- Films with a similar feel include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The BFG, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
- How long is The Spiderwick Chronicles?
- The Spiderwick Chronicles runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Spiderwick Chronicles?
- In United States, The Spiderwick Chronicles streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
In Ember's collections
Movies like The Spiderwick Chronicles
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe2005
- The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box2013
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian2008
- Epic2013
- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children2016
- Inkheart2008
- The Boxtrolls2014
- Five Children and It2004
- The Secret of Moonacre2009
- The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones2013
