Introduction to a Surprising Hit
Every year, a few films come out of nowhere to become massive hits, and in 2024, The Wild Robot was one of them. Written and directed by animation legend Chris Sanders, the man behind Lilo & Stitch, the film quietly entered cinemas before taking off and grossing over $330 million worldwide. After a successful run on Peacock, a brand new audience on Netflix has now discovered it, with the film cracking the top 10 just a few days after its debut on Saturday, May 24th.
Critical Acclaim
Critics and audiences were almost unanimous in their praise when The Wild Robot hit cinemas. The film currently boasts a 96% critics’ score and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the best-reviewed animated films of the decade so far. It’s not hard to understand why: the story is warm, wonderfully animated, and surprisingly deep.
What is The Wild Robot About?
The film follows Roz, a high-tech robot that washes up on a remote island after a shipwreck. It finds itself alone and disoriented and is forced to learn how to survive in the wild. Roz soon begins to form bonds with the island’s animal inhabitants and becomes a surrogate mother to a baby goose that adopts her. Roz quickly begins to learn empathy and what it means to be alive as she becomes a parent. Roz is voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, who brings a soulful presence to the metallic hero of the story. The supporting cast is also stacked, with Pedro Pascal, hot from his turns in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, bringing his brand of heat as Fink the Fox, Kit Connor (out of Heartstopper) voicing the gosling, and Mark Hamill, Ving Rhames, and Catherine O’Hara rounding out the impressive voice ensemble.
The Visionary Behind the Film
And then there’s Chris Sanders, whose characteristic warmth and visual style shine through every frame. Best known for creating Lilo & Stitch and co-directing How to Train Your Dragon, Sanders knows how to balance emotional storytelling without losing the sense of wonder that great family animation defines. The Wild Robot could be his most emotionally mature film yet – and judging by its enduring popularity, audiences agree.
Streaming Now
The Wild Robot is now streaming on Netflix. Look forward to Collider for the latest updates on all your favorite films and television series.
Film Details
- Release Date: September 27, 2024
- Duration: 101 minutes
- Director: Chris Sanders
