Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- gentle
- playful
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film amiable and visually playful but too juvenile, formulaic, and thinly written for its feature-length expansion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harold draws himself beyond the pages of his book and must navigate the physical world.
The film adapts Harold's drawing-based powers through a live-action and animation hybrid format.
Harold's purple crayon brings whatever he draws to life, making creativity the engine of the adventure.
Harold grows beyond his book and learns how real life differs from the simple rules of his fictional home.
Films like Harold and the Purple Crayon, and why
Paddington
family fantasy comedy built around a childlike imagination entering the real world
Peter Rabbit
bright, gentle children's adventure blending live action with imaginative fantasy
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
book-inspired family comedy featuring a fanciful outsider adapting to modern life
The BFG
playful fantasy adventure about imagination and self-discovery for younger audiences
Movie Details
- Director
- Carlos Saldanha
- Release Date
- 2024-07-31
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (392)
Cast
- Zachary Levi
- Lil Rel Howery
- Zooey Deschanel
- Benjamin Bottani
- Tanya Reynolds
- Jemaine Clement
- Alfred Molina
- Pete Gardner
- Camille Guaty
- Ravi Patel
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Harold and the Purple Crayon about?
- A cheerful storybook adventurer uses a magical purple crayon to make sense of life beyond the pages that shaped him.
- What is Harold and the Purple Crayon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Harold and the Purple Crayon as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Harold and the Purple Crayon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Harold and the Purple Crayon.
- What did critics think of Harold and the Purple Crayon?
- Critics broadly found the film amiable and visually playful but too juvenile, formulaic, and thinly written for its feature-length expansion.
- Which films are like Harold and the Purple Crayon?
- Films with a similar feel include Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and The BFG.
- How long is Harold and the Purple Crayon?
- Harold and the Purple Crayon runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Harold and the Purple Crayon?
- In United States, Harold and the Purple Crayon streams on Hulu, fuboTV.
