Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- wistful
- whimsical
- earnest
- family movie night
- nostalgic fantasy viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation visually appealing and high in production value but overly sentimental, imitative, and weakened by unsubtle storytelling and wooden performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bosse begins in a dull urban life with cold adoptive parents before crossing into the pastoral Land of Faraway.
Bosse learns that he is Mio, the king's son and heir in the magical country.
Mio undertakes the quest to defeat Kato alongside his new friend Jum-Jum.
Christopher Lee's Kato functions as the central supernatural threat and gives the adventure its dark fairy-tale atmosphere.
Films like Mio in the Land of Faraway, and why
The NeverEnding Story
children's fantasy quest, lonely child protagonist, enchanted realm, and battle against an evil ruler
The Brothers Lionheart
children's fantasy adventure, mythic friendship, pastoral world-building, and an emotionally vulnerable young hero
The Dark Crystal
family fantasy, young protagonists confronting supernatural evil, and a story shaped by courage and friendship
Labyrinth
children's fantasy adventure with an orphaned or isolated child entering a strange magical world
Movie Details
- Director
- Vladimir Grammatikov
- Release Date
- 1987-08-18
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (103)
Cast
- Nick Pickard
- Christian Bale
- Timothy Bottoms
- Christopher Lee
- Susannah York
- Sverre Anker Ousdal
- Gunilla Nyroos
- Igor Yasulovich
- Lyubov Germanova
- Linn Stokke
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mio in the Land of Faraway about?
- A lonely boy finds royal belonging and steadfast friendship in a wondrous realm threatened by the sinister knight Kato.
- What is Mio in the Land of Faraway like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mio in the Land of Faraway as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mio in the Land of Faraway violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Mio in the Land of Faraway as mild.
- What did critics think of Mio in the Land of Faraway?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation visually appealing and high in production value but overly sentimental, imitative, and weakened by unsubtle storytelling and wooden performances.
- Which films are like Mio in the Land of Faraway?
- Films with a similar feel include The NeverEnding Story, The Brothers Lionheart, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.
- How long is Mio in the Land of Faraway?
- Mio in the Land of Faraway runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mio in the Land of Faraway?
- In United States, Mio in the Land of Faraway is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Mio in the Land of Faraway
- Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver2018
- Fanny and Alexander1982
- The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter1990
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks1971
- The Ash Lad: In Search of the Golden Castle2019
- Bridge to Terabithia2007
- Arthur and the Invisibles2006
- The NeverEnding Story1984
- A Little Princess1995
- The Brothers Lionheart1977
