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Niko and the Way to the Stars

Name: Niko and the Way to the Stars
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Released: 2008-09-22
Cast: Olli Jantunen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Vuokko Hovatta, Vesa Vierikko, Jussi Lampi

2008 | 80 min | Animation, Family, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz and a lukewarm 5.8 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. 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 fantasy fans, adventure fans and families. If you loved The Apartment, start here.
The mood: Feel-good.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 20 min.
What might put you off: No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

A young reindeer named Niko dreams about flying like his father, whom he has never met. Despite constant teasing from others, he sneaks out of his home valley to take flying lessons from Julius, a flying squirrel.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesBelow par
5.8 out of 10
AwardsWeak
0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals
Box office & staying powerSolid
$22 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 22K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen

Olli JantunenNiko (voice)
Hannu-Pekka BjörkmanJulius (voice)
Vuokko HovattaWilma (voice)
Vesa VierikkoMusta Susi (voice)
Jussi LampiRäyskä (voice)
Risto KaskilahtiRimppa / Uljas (voice)
Minttu MustakallioEssie (voice)
Juha VeijonenRaavas (voice)
Puntti ValtonenHirvas (voice)
Elina KnihtiläOona (voice)