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Pinocchio - Walt Disney (1940)

tomatometer

100

Average Rating: 9.1/10
Reviews Counted: 37
Fresh: 37 | Rotten: 0

Ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes frightening, Pinocchio arguably represents the pinnacle of Disney's collected works -- it's beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant.

100

Average Rating: 8.5/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 0

Ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes frightening, Pinocchio arguably represents the pinnacle of Disney's collected works -- it's beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant.

audience

66

liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 248,933

My Rating

Movie Info

When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto (Christian Rub) builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Dick Jones), is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. But, even with the help of Jiminy (Cliff Edwards), a cricket who the fairy assigns to be Pinocchio's conscience, the marionette goes astray. He joins a puppet show instead of going to school, he lies

Mar 10, 2009

RKO

Cast

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (0) | DVD (19)

Pinocchio is a substantial piece of entertainment for young and old.

September 3, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment (1)
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The charm, humor and loving care with which it treats its inanimate characters puts it in a class by itself.

August 31, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | Comment
TIME Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It still is the best thing Mr. Disney has done and therefore the best cartoon ever made.

March 10, 2008 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The moral lessons include a literalization of metaphors about lying and other forms of misbehaving, and the grasp of a little boy's emotions and behavior often borders on the uncanny.

March 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Was there ever a scarier, more exciting animated feature than Pinocchio?

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Disney masterpiece is darker than you may remember.

December 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

One of the crown jewels of American cinema, and arguably the most beautiful animated movie in history.

October 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | Comment
Antagony & Ecstasy

Dreams are something we all need to have, irrespective of age; this uplifting fable reminds us of that.

April 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | Comment
Urban Cinefile

Continues to shine bright as one of the most magical and delightful films in the Disney animated library.

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Views | Comment

... a tremendous release that provides the ultimate viewing experience of a treasured and sophisticated film.

March 20, 2009 Full Review Source: DVD Review | Comment
DVD Review

Pinocchio is above all a cautionary story of the dangers that lurk beyond the comforting arms of the family.

March 20, 2009 Full Review Source: DVD Review | Comment
DVD Review

In spirit a classical European fairy tale, full of wonder and terror … a pinnacle of artistic achievement that, after Bambi, classic Disney would never even try to match again.

March 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | Comment
Decent Films Guide

The original Scared Straight!

March 15, 2009 Full Review Source: LarsenOnFilm | Comment
LarsenOnFilm

It's still amazing to watch the sheer delight in movement and the sheer joy in decorating the frame with colors and shapes.

March 13, 2009 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

One of the only Disney animated features with real gravitas, Pinocchio's reputation grows longer with each passing generation.

March 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Nope, no perverted subtext here.

March 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comments (2)
Slant Magazine

A must-have for Disney fans and Blu-ray lovers.

March 8, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Probably shows Disney's virtues and vices more clearly than any other cartoon.

March 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

A witty, touching, beautifully composed fable with strong biblical undertones.

March 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Pinocchio - Walt Disney

Never a fan of this as a child (the donkey part scared me very much) I decided to give this classic Disney film a second look. Wonderful characterisation and something I'd show my kids even today. Has stood the test of time extremely well (70 years!) and offers a good moral thought for kids.

November 13, 2011
StarCrossedVoyager
Sophie Burgess

Super Reviewer

Awful

July 16, 2011
spielberg00
Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

    1. The Blue Fairy: Now, remember, Pinocchio: be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide.
    – Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)
    1. The Blue Fairy: A lie keeps growing and growing until it's as clear as the nose on your face.
    – Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

Movies Like Pinocchio - Walt Disney

Latest News for Pinocchio - Walt Disney

January 13, 2012:
Weekly Ketchup: Tim Burton to Film Pinocchio Adaptation Minus Johnny Depp?
This week's Ketchup includes news of a new live action Pinocchio, adaptations of the musicals Jersey...

January 9, 2012:
Tim Burton Could Direct Robert Downey, Jr. in Pinocchio
Downey would play Gepetto, of course.

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Foreign Titles

  • Pinocchio (DE)
  • Pinocchio (UK)
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