Kubo and the Two Strings

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Kubo and the Two Strings

PG

2016

1h 42m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

Action

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Young Kubo's peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

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Critics Consensus

Kubo and the Two Strings matches its incredible animation with an absorbing -- and bravely melancholy -- story that has something to offer audiences of all ages.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Dec 27, 2016

4/5

Sweeping tableaux, a wonderful voice cast and adventure that feels genuinely folkloric make this a film that definitely deserves to be taken out of cellophane.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Oct 10, 2016

4/5

A glorious flight of the imagination.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Sep 11, 2016

5/5

It explores unexpectedly profound ideas of rebirth and destiny rewritten, like origami paper sheets refolded into another form.

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Aug 20, 2025

4/5

Thrilling, gorgeous to look at, and packs an emotional punch. This new 4K release provides the best method for rewatching a masterpiece.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 19, 2024

A

Kubo and the Two Strings isn’t a film that relies on emotion, but rather, it earns its affection by delivering a fun story that is engaging and moving...

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Aug 7, 2024

What casts the film’s most potent spell is the exquisite animation, haunted by centuries of Japanese art and thoroughly bewitching throughout.

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Keller K

@RT18993227 14 hrs ago

Killer stop motion, and story line. Really enjoyed the whole while my guitar gently weeps in Japanese style. Absolutely loved it.

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Robert P

@Superbad 6 days ago

Kubo and The Two Strings = a *4.5* star Movie!

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zoop S

@zoopswishington Sep 11, 2026

Beautiful movie with interesting settings and world building, and the emotional side of it was good too.

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Josh G

@Parsifal83 Aug 1, 2026

A masterpiece of modern animation. Beneath its breathtaking visuals lies a deeply moving story about memory, family, and forgiveness, brought to life through wonderfully written characters whose warmth and chemistry make every emotional beat land. Its most profound insight is that love, sacrifice, and our shared humanity are ultimately more meaningful than power or even divinity. Funny, poignant, and genuinely magical.

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Patrik W

@XQC079 Jul 21, 2026

My friend kept saying why the long face if you blink you must do it now ahh movie what da heeelllllll

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andrew H

@andrew512 Jul 21, 2026

there is something completely different, beautiful, and enjoyable about a fresh piece of material that drew inspiration from Japanese folklore and myths, without completely pulling the whole story, the people who made this movie gave the best of their abilities into making the best movie they could make and I will say they did an incredible job.

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Travis Knight

Director

Charlize Theron

Monkey

Art Parkinson

Kubo

Ralph Fiennes

Moon King

George Takei

Hosato

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Hashi

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Synopsis

Young Kubo's peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

Director: Travis Knight
Producer: Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight
Screenwriter: Marc Haimes, Chris Butler
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, Laika
Rating: PG (Scary Images|Action and Peril|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $48.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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