Do you want to see ‘Willow’?

Add to Netflix

Willow (1988)

tomatometer

All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 26
Fresh: 12 | Rotten: 14

Good production value and decent special effects, but the story is too insipid and slowly paced.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 4

Good production value and decent special effects, but the story is too insipid and slowly paced.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 218,377

My Rating

Added to your Facebook Timeline. — undo

Movie Info

Though Willow was one of director Ron Howard's few box-office disappointments, it definitely deserves a second look. At once an epic celebration and a gentle spoof of the sword-and-sorcery genre, the film concerns the efforts by little person Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) to protect a sacred infant from the machinations of a wicked queen (Jean Marsh). One source book has assessed the picture as a combination of The Ten Commandments and Snow White. This is true enough, except that neither one of

PG, 1 hr. 58 min.

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

Directed By: Ron Howard

Written By: Bob Dolman

In Theaters: May 20, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Nov 27, 2001

MGM Home Entertainment

Willow Trailer & Photos

Cast

Val Kilmer
Madmartigan
Joanne Whalley
Sorsha
Warwick Davis
Willow Ufgood
Patricia Hayes
Fin Raziel
Jean Marsh
Queen Bavmorda
Billy Barty
High Aldwin
Pat Roach
Gen. Kael
Gavan O'Herlihy
Airk Thaughbaer
David J. Steinberg
Meegosh
Phil Fondacaro
Vohnkar
Mark Northover
Burglekutt Prefect
Kevin Pollak
Rool
Rick Overton
Franjean
Maria Holvoe
Cherlindrea
Tony Cox
Vohnkar Warrior
Joanna Dickens
Barmaid
Kate Greenfield
Elora Danan
Jennifer Guy
Wency
Sallyanne Law
Mother
Michael Cotterill
Druid
Zulema Dene
Ethna
Dawn Downing
Mims
Robert Gillibrand
Vohnkar Warrior
Julie Peters
Kaiya
Ron Tarr
Llug
Mark vande Brake
Ranon
Sadie Corre
Nelwyn Villager

Critic Reviews for Willow

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (15) | DVD (30)

The big budget can't conceal the fact that this fiction is fallow, more rootbound than spellbound.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Top Critic

Though children will mostly be enthralled by the spectacles, even they might notice the weak story protruding through the industrial magic.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

At the story level, Willow is turgid and relentlessly predictable.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Nice fantasy adventure, looking pretty dated now, but ably helmed by Ron Howard.

January 10, 2009 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Magic-filled fantasy adventure for tweens and up.

October 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Pam Gelman

Common Sense Media

If you like fantasy flicks, director Ron Howard's take on ... George Lucas' story is an action-packed adventure with a nice message about heroes coming in all sizes.

September 1, 2006 Comment

Betsy Bozdech

Reel.com

As a movie, it's a hell of a video game

October 22, 2005 Comment

Pete Vonder Haar

Film Threat

It isn't without significant flaws, but overall an effective and memorable fantasy spectacle.

October 21, 2004 Comment

Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

This is how I always figured the project got started: ILM called Ron, and said 'Ronnnnnnn, we're BORED.'

September 23, 2003 Comment

Widgett Walls

Needcoffee.com

Gad.

December 29, 2002 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Willow

View All

Classic tale of good vs evil with great characters and creatures throughout. All the cast are likeable and fit perfectly into the story making the film quite humorous in places, the 'Brownies' and 'Madmardigan' especially hehe. The action is nice and not too brutal, brings back the feeling of old 'Errol Flynn' films in

July 6, 2008

Phil Hubbard

Super Reviewer

Adventure doesn't come any bigger than this.Well the idea of seeing it as an adult when I really wanted to see as a kid really failed! It was mostly boring at times although the end was the best thing of this movie. The story wasn't that interesting to me sadly. This movie actually was nominated for 2 Oscars even

July 8, 2009

Manu Gino

Super Reviewer

Willow Quotes

View All

1. Madmartigan: I am the greatest swordsman that ever lived.
– Submitted by Adrian G (3 months ago)
1. Vohnkar Warrior: We must protect the elders! Find my Flute!
– Submitted by Anthony C (4 months ago)
1. Ethna: Call me Ethna. I do things. Magical Things. Yes. Ask the one they call Grudee.
– Submitted by Anthony C (4 months ago)
1. Druid: It's the falcon! Hide your potatoes!
– Submitted by Anthony C (4 months ago)
1. Vohnkar Warrior: I am one of the best warriors. Especially in bed.
– Submitted by Anthony C (4 months ago)