The Boxtrolls

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Cast & Crew

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Eggs Voice

Elle Fanning

Winnie Voice

Ben Kingsley

Archibald Snatcher Voice

Toni Collette

Lady Portley-Rind Voice

Jared Harris

Lord Portley-Rind Voice

Simon Pegg

Herbert Trubshaw Voice

Nick Frost

Mr. Trout Voice

Richard Ayoade

Mr. Pickles Voice

Tracy Morgan

Mr. Gristle Voice

Dee Bradley Baker

Fish, Wheels, Bucket Voice

Steve Blum

Shoe, Sparky Voice

Anthony Stacchi

Director

Graham Annable

Director

Irena Brignull

Screenwriter

Adam Pava

Screenwriter

David Bleiman Ichioka

Producer

Travis Knight

Producer

John Ashlee Prat

Cinematographer

Paul Lasaine

Production Design

Edie Ichioka

Film Editing

Dario Marianelli

Original Music

Eric Idle

Original Song

Deborah Cook

Costume Design

Curt Enderle

Art Director

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News & Interviews for The Boxtrolls

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Parental Guidance: Strange Magic, Plus The Boxtrolls on DVD

Conversations With 2015 Oscar Nominees

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Critic Reviews for The Boxtrolls

Audience Reviews for The Boxtrolls

• Aug 15, 2017

  The Boxtrolls is Laika's weakest animation, but still an enjoyable flick. When I say it's the weakest, it's not a negative remark because Laika have been pumping out consistently good animations that are enjoyable for everyone. This is no different, it's just up against a strong canon. As the title suggests, this is all about Boxtrolls. Mischievous crafty little creatures that hide themselves underground...and dress in boxes...and each are named after their boxed contents such as Fish...Eggs...Shoe...and I think at one point we had Oil? Once again, completely imaginative and that is really where the enjoyment comes from, the creativity was utilised to its maximum potential. A town living in fear of Boxtrolls where a cheese enthusiast employs the assistance of a wannabe cheese enthusiast, who is allergic to cheese, to exterminate them so that he can enjoy cheese in the royal cheese tasting room. Did I mention that cheese was involved? It's bonkers. Our villain is villainous because he wants to wear a white hat. ALL of this, for a white hat. Just...just beautiful. Obviously conveying the point of just being yourself no matter your background or materialistic ambitions. I always appreciate stop motion animation, it's such a time consuming craft that really conveys the creator's inventiveness well. There are moments where computer animation intertwines with the stop motion, and unfortunately is noticeable, but for the most part looks stunning. The voice acting was spot on!! I could not believe that Snatcher was voice by Ben Kingsley, ridiculously good! Jared Harris and Richard Ayoade were also noteworthy and brought life into their characters. Some of these characters are not as fleshed out as I would like, but are certainly memorable. From a miniature henchman who captures Boxtrolls like The Terminator to Snatcher's burlesque alter ego Madame Frou Frou. Plenty of funny moments as well, I thought the script was well rounded and easily appeals to both children and adults. The story is somewhat basic but Laika utilised imagination to the max and it paid off.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Nov 10, 2015

  The stop-motion animated film The Boxtrolls is pleasantly entertaining and has a positive message about family. Based on a bestselling children's book, a young boy raised by Boxtrolls comes to the surface to search for his friends after they're abducted by a nefarious monster hunter called the Snatcher. Featuring the voice talents of Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Nick Frost, and Simon Pegg, the film has a solid cast that delivers some good performances. Additionally, the animation is well-done and has an interesting visual style. However, the comedy is a little broad and geared more towards younger audiences. Yet, for a family film, The Boxtrolls works and has a quaint charm to its old fashioned style.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Jun 07, 2015

  Co-directors Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable manage something charming out of something outlandish in The Boxtrolls. An 85 minute story about trolls in boxes proves to be a recipe for success. While not laying it all out on the floor in the early going, leaving a more mysterious buildup, the plot details gradually fall into place. The visual combination of CG and stop motion mesh wondrously together, which could be said to make up for the lack of excitement the film exuberates. The characters lack the cuteness of a kid friendly picture, but their personalities give them the hint of adorableness they need. The voice-work is a definite success. Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, and Ben Kingsley stand out above the crowd, with the likes of Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, and Tracy Morgan following close behind. By the time the end credits begin to roll, The Boxtrolls solidifies itself as a recommendable animated picture.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Mar 01, 2015

  Another delightful film from the creators of ParaNorman, the whimsical Boxtrolls is another stop-motion treasure that plays just as well for children as it does adults. The fanciful world follows the industrious title creatures that have wrongly been demonized as villains. Snatcher (a tremendous Ben Kingsley) has much to gain by stirring up boxtroll fears, and if he captures them all he'll finally be allowed to join the town's inner circle of muckity mucks. We follow "Eggs" a boy who has been raised by the boxtrolls since he was a baby and his re-emergence with the world above ground, notably with the help of a morbid little girl, Winnie (Elle Fanning). The world building is confident and well developed, the storyline finds nuanced ways to be touching and deliver serious messages about peer pressure, assimilation, and the ways which we judge ourselves and whether those are even of merit. But the main draw is the glorious animation, so fluid, so lively, and a landscape that makes full use of color and light and shadow. It's an immersive experience that your eyes don't want to blink for fear of missing something. The plot is droll and expertly sequenced with its variety of character and comic asides. The vocal cast does a terrific job, notably Kingsley and a hilarious Tracy Morgan. The film can get a little spooky for young children but should still be comfortable viewing. The Boxtrolls is further proof that the animation house Laika is operating at near-Pixar peak levels of brilliance and deserve the benefit of the doubt with any future films. Nate's Grade: A
  

  Super Reviewer