Overview
An adventure of a lifetime begins with a house lifted by balloons, leading to unexpected friendships and challenges.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- nostalgic
- melancholic
- whimsical
- family movie night
- uplifting weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly celebrate the film's inventive animation, emotional opening, charming characters, and balance of humor with mature themes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Carl and Ellie's relationship is conveyed through a concise sequence spanning childhood, marriage, travel dreams, and loss.
Carl begins the expedition focused on preserving his home and memory of Ellie, then discovers a new reason to care for Russell and others.
Thousands of balloons carry Carl's entire home into the sky and toward Paradise Falls.
The reluctant partnership between widower Carl and Boy Scout Russell develops during their South American expedition.
Films like Up, and why
WALL-E
shares heartfelt animation, whimsical adventure, intergenerational friendship, and emotionally resonant themes of loss and renewal
Finding Nemo
shares Pixar's imaginative fantasy, comic animal characters, family accessibility, and poignant emotional storytelling
The Straight Story
shares an elderly protagonist, adventurous fantasy, warm humor, and a restorative journey shaped by companionship
How to Train Your Dragon
shares colorful animated world-building, coming-of-age friendship, comic peril, and uplifting emotional stakes
Movie Details
- Director
- Pete Docter
- Release Date
- 2009-05-28
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 8.0 / 10 (22187)
Cast
- Ed Asner
- Christopher Plummer
- Jordan Nagai
- Bob Peterson
- Delroy Lindo
- Jerome Ranft
- John Ratzenberger
- David Kaye
- Elie Docter
- Jeremy Leary
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, fuboTV
- 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 Up about?
- A grieving widower sends his house soaring toward a lifelong dream and finds unexpected family in a determined young scout.
- What is Up like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Up as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Up violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Up as mild.
- What did critics think of Up?
- Critics broadly celebrate the film's inventive animation, emotional opening, charming characters, and balance of humor with mature themes.
- Which films are like Up?
- Films with a similar feel include WALL-E, Finding Nemo, The Straight Story, and How to Train Your Dragon.
- How long is Up?
- Up runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Up?
- In United States, Up streams on Disney Plus, fuboTV.
