The Forbidden Kingdom

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The Forbidden Kingdom

PG-13

2008

1h 45m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

128 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Jason (Michael Angarano), an American teenager, is a huge fan of Hong Kong cinema and old kung-fu movies. While browsing in a Chinatown pawn shop, he discovers the stick weapon of an ancient Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. The magic relic transports Jason back in time, where he joins a band of legendary martial-artists on a quest to free the imprisoned man.

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Critics Consensus

This hotly-anticipated pairing of martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li features dazzling fight scenes but is weighed down by too much filler.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

04/21/2008

One of the more entertaining movies we've seen in recent months.

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David Fear

Time Out

04/18/2008

3/6

Every time the focus switches to Michael Angarano channeling his inner Ralph Macchio, The Forbidden Kingdom reminds you that it's primarily an act of occidental tourism.

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Mark Rahner

Seattle Times

04/18/2008

2.5/4

It might take a Zen master to explain exactly what audience this is aimed at.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

09/08/2023

... has fun with the tale and Americanizes the genre without losing the pleasures of its Asian inspirations.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/28/2020

4/10

Why would a Jet Li/Jackie Chan picture actually star a scrawny American boy instead?

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

11/08/2019

The Forbidden Kingdom spins a web of fantasy and enchantment. A gift for the ages. A timeless classic. A masterpiece. Pure Oscar gold.

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Babatunde Michael A

@Teeabod 6d

The Forbidden Kingdom was such a blast! Seeing Jackie Chan and Jet Li together was a total dream, but the whole vibe of the movie really pulled it all together. The fight scenes were wild, super creative and funny at the same time, so I was hooked the whole way through. I also really dug the main character's glow up throughout the journey. It's got the perfect mix of action, laughs, and heart, making it a solid watch for anyone. If you're into martial arts flicks, you seriously have to check this out.

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IIGIBB0II T

@RT58547592 Mar 24

Good god I miss when bangers like this would drop, I've watched this with my lad a few times now, absolutely ace

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Mike W

@MikeW269 Mar 24

Unless a person is into martial arts, there is not much here.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 7

Successful action-packed fantasy movie in 1.75 hours. Ages 13 and older.

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Manda R.

@oatmeal Mar 2

Goofy and fantastical but still symbolic and mythic. I really enjoyed this actually and seeing two legends share the screen just made my heart happy.

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Owen R

@OwenRLeon Feb 13

This movie is bit misleading if you know about monkey king. but the story and the underdog tale is pretty good....great fights scenes everything with jackie chan and jet li always beautifully showing there skills on this amazing adventure through this mythical ancient China with beautiful scenery ...great humour and many styles of martial arts The story is highly focused on a american guy who loves kungfu movies and seen as a loser but the beauty of the story is he goes on this journey risks his own life and becomes somebody and has help on the way fighting the jade warlord army ... This movie deserves more credit and anyone who loves jackie chan and jet li movies

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Rob Minkoff

Director

Jackie Chan

Lu Yan

Jet Li

Silent Monk

Michael Angarano

Jason

Yifei Liu

Golden Sparrow

Collin Chou

Jade Warlord

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Seeker vs. Witch

2:11

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - The Silent Monk

4:19

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Fight to the Death

2:06

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Two Tigers, One Mountain

2:13

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Protect Yourself!

2:23

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Make It Rain

1:45

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Drunken Master

1:19

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Journey Through Time

2:42

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - Return of the Monkey King

2:20

The Forbidden Kingdom: Official Clip - The Battle of Immortals

2:48

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Synopsis

Jason (Michael Angarano), an American teenager, is a huge fan of Hong Kong cinema and old kung-fu movies. While browsing in a Chinatown pawn shop, he discovers the stick weapon of an ancient Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. The magic relic transports Jason back in time, where he joins a band of legendary martial-artists on a quest to free the imprisoned man.

Director: Rob Minkoff
Producer: Casey Silver
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Casey Silver Productions, Lions Gate Films, Lionsgate Television
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Martial Arts Action)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.0M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)