Astro Boy
Seen it?2009 | 94 min | Animation, Action, Family, Science Fiction
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It made about 7 times its budget, but middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans, action fans and families. If you loved The Lego Batman Movie or Transformers One, start here.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 34 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
Set in the futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (Atom) is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he had lost. Unable to fulfill his creator's expectations, Astro embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before returning to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who rejected him.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$65 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 165K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by David Bowers
- Freddie HighmoreAstro / Toby (voice)
- Kristen BellCora (voice)
- Nathan LaneHamegg (voice)
- Eugene LevyOrrin (voice)
- Matt LucasSparx (voice)
- Bill NighyDr. Elefun / Robotsky (voice)
- Donald SutherlandPresident Stone (voice)
- Charlize Theron"Our Friends" Narrator (voice)
- Nicolas CageDr. Tenma (voice)
- Madeline CarrollWidget (voice)