Overview
A magical journey unfolds as a young girl seeks to free trapped fairy creatures and embrace her true identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- dreamy
- gentle
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a visually stunning, emotionally rich, family-friendly animated fantasy with deep roots in Irish folklore.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Selkies, fairies, the Aos Sí, and other mythic figures shape the journey and its rules.
Mourning and psychological repression are embodied through magical beings trapped in the modern world.
The film uses misty pastels, stylized forms, and richly composed hand-drawn frames to merge everyday Ireland with myth.
Ben and Saoirse's journey turns estrangement and misunderstanding into deepened familial connection.
Films like Song of the Sea, and why
The Secret of Kells
hand-drawn fantasy adventure rooted in regional folklore, with child protagonists, emotional family themes, and an enchanting visual world
Spirited Away
family-friendly animated fantasy combining folkloric beings, sibling-centered emotion, painterly imagery, and a journey through a magical realm
My Neighbor Totoro
gentle animated fantasy about children, nature, family bonds, and wondrous supernatural creatures
Wolfwalkers
folklore-infused animated adventure featuring a child confronting magic, loss, and emotional healing
Movie Details
- Director
- Tomm Moore
- Release Date
- 2014-06-23
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 8.0 / 10 (1626)
Cast
- David Rawle
- Brendan Gleeson
- Lisa Hannigan
- Fionnula Flanagan
- Lucy O'Connell
- Jon Kenny
- Pat Shortt
- Colm Ó'Snodaigh
- Liam Hourican
- Kevin Swierszcz
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 Song of the Sea about?
- A wistful Irish hand-drawn fantasy follows two siblings through a luminous folklore quest that transforms grief into family healing.
- What is Song of the Sea like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Song of the Sea as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Song of the Sea violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Song of the Sea.
- What did critics think of Song of the Sea?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a visually stunning, emotionally rich, family-friendly animated fantasy with deep roots in Irish folklore.
- Which films are like Song of the Sea?
- Films with a similar feel include The Secret of Kells, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Wolfwalkers.
- How long is Song of the Sea?
- Song of the Sea runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Song of the Sea?
- In United States, Song of the Sea is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
