Ferdinand

Critics Consensus

Ferdinand's colorful update on a classic tale doesn't go anywhere unexpected, but its timeless themes -- and John Cena's engaging voice work in the title role -- make for family-friendly fun.

72%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 117

50%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,831

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Movie Info

FERDINAND tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can't judge a bull by its cover. From Blue Sky Studios and Carlos Saldanha, the director of "Rio" and inspired by the beloved book "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, "Ferdinand" is a heartwarming animated comedy adventure with an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more.

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Cast

John Cena
as Ferdinand
Kate McKinnon
as Lupe
Gina Rodriguez
as Una
Daveed Diggs
as Dos
Gabriel Iglesias
as Cuatro
Bobby Cannavale
as Valiente
David Tennant
as Angus
Anthony Anderson
as Bones
Flula Borg
as Hans
Sally Phillips
as Greta
Boris Kodjoe
as Klaus
Jerrod Carmichael
as Paco
Raul Esparza
Karla Martínez (III)
Miguel Ángel Silvestre
as El Primero
Peyton Manning
as Guapo
Juanes
as Ziggy
Karla Martínez
as Village Mother
Raul Esparza
as Moreno
Jeremy Sisto
as Ferdinand's Father
Jack Gore
as Young Valiente
Jet Jurgensmeyer
as Young Guapo
Nile Diaz
as Young Bones
Colin H. Murphy
as Young Ferdinand
Luis Carlos de la Lombana
as Ranch Hand #1
Lily Day
as Nina
Jordi Caballero
as Balloon Vendor
Maria Peyramaure
as Tall Nun
Naz Homa
as Short Nun / Police Officer #2
Andreas A. Esparza
as Police Officer #1
James Palumbo
as Village Tourist
Bernardo De Paula
as Animal Control Officer
Belita Moreno
as Shopkeeper
Tim Nordquist
as Maquina
Alvaro Mendoza
as Ranch Hand #3
Carlos Reig-Plaza
as Ranch Hand #2
Cindy Slattery
as Bunny
Jason Fricchione
as Madrid Tourist
Susana Ballesteros
as Newscaster
Ana Patricia Gamez
as El Primero Fan
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Critic Reviews for Ferdinand

All Critics (117) | Top Critics (19)

  • With a lovely voice performance from Cena, the spirit of Ferdinand does shine through. But the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable.

    Dec 15, 2017 | Full Review…

    Katie Walsh

    Tribune News Service
    Top Critic

  • Ferdinand is not going to be the next Frozen or Lion King or even the fourth or fifth Ice Age movie, but there's a reason the story is still being told some 81 years after it was first published.

    Dec 15, 2017 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Fraser Abe

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • ... a movie of both substance and silliness. Olés all round.

    Dec 14, 2017 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Ed Potton

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • The lurching rhythms of Ferdinand make a clean story feel ungainly and episodic ...

    Dec 14, 2017 | Full Review…

    Scott Tobias

    NPR
    Top Critic

  • A mostly pleasant surprise in a year that has produced a lack of stellar animated outings.

    Dec 14, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Susan Wloszczyna

    RogerEbert.com
    Top Critic

  • The movie is bright and peppy enough to hold young viewers' attention, though a faithful 1938 Walt Disney short showed more inventiveness in eight minutes.

    Dec 14, 2017 | Full Review…

    Ben Kenigsberg

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (117)

Audience Reviews for Ferdinand

  • Mar 15, 2018
    An above average animation film that's pretty much just the same as all the rest but I did actually enjoy this, It's great fun with non stop laughs, It's heartwarming and charming, The animation work was good, I can't comment on the 3D as I watched the 2D version, John Cena may take time to reach Dwayne Johnsons level but this will help him going forward and his voice as Ferdinand worked way better than I expected, My kids loved it and it's pretty entertaining for parents too.
    Super Reviewer
  • Mar 15, 2018
    Another formulaic animation by Carlos Saldanha, who tries too hard to make something fun for the whole family but doesn't seem to realize how forgettable this is, with silly German horses, endless chases and pedestrian jokes that rely mostly on Ferdinand being big and clumsy.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Mar 03, 2018
    With a good enough story about how violence is not the solution to all problems, this is enjoyable enough. It's not on par with Pixar but it's one of the best of late for Blue Sky.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2018
    It can't go to toe-to-toe with Coco for the animation Oscar, but Ferdinand represents a step forward in quality for Blue Sky Studios. They've managed to infuse their usual brand of frenetic storytelling and frantic humor with a nice adherence to the source material. It a shiny piece of animation for modern day families but telling a timely and poignant story that culminates in a touching match in the arena. This is predictable fluff, but actually hilarious, the German stallions had me guffawing, and John Cena and Kate McKinnon do great vocal work. What I think would improve Blue Sky's efforts on a more technical level, would be the fleshing out of the backgrounds and a more unique visual style. The animation is nice but very basic and not filled in as much as one would expect from Pixar. Still, Ferdinand is often too frantic, but its message is strong and its a pleasant way to spend an afternoon at the movies. In a year with few good animation offerings, this one at least ended the year stronger. Rating: 72
    Bradley J Super Reviewer
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