A loving interpretation of C.S. Lewis's beloved parable for children, and it's almost perfect in every detail.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:202
Fresh:151
Rotten:51
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for battle sequences and frightening moments.
Runtime: 2 hrs 30 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:08-12-2005
Synopsis: Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe... Director Andrew Adamson gives a new dimension to C.S. Lewis's enchanting story with this long-awaited Disney adaptation. As the story begins, Mrs. Pevensie--in order to keep her children safe during World War II--sends Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmond (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Peter (William Moseley) off to stay at a professor's country estate. Away from London and under the care of a strict housekeeper, they are instructed to stick to themselves and stay out of trouble. But when an innocent game of hide-and-seek leads young Lucy to a spare room containing a large wardrobe, she discovers something that will change their lives forever. Inside the wardrobe there is a world frosted with ice and filled with magical beings. Known as Narnia, the land is stuck in eternal winter at the hands of the cruel White Witch, played with great force by the pale, strong-featured Tilda Swinton. When she steps back into reality, Lucy struggles to convince her skeptical siblings of the things she's seen. After much disbelief, the others finally enter the world as well, learning that the creatures of Narnia have long been waiting for humans like themselves to appear and break the witch's spell. But in order to be of any help to the lovable talking beavers, fawns, foxes, and centaurs that they meet, the four will have to face betrayal by one of their own as Edmond cracks under the witch's tempting offer of unlimited Turkish Delights. Under the leadership of the great lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson), can Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and the oldest, Peter, prove themselves heroes in the ultimate battle of good vs. evil? High-budget special effects, impressive performances by the film's young newcomers, and beautiful set design move this film far beyond previous television adaptations. [More]
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent, James McAvoy, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, James Cosmo, Ray Winstone, Dawn French, Rupert Everett, Kiran Shah
Director: Andrew Adamson
Director: Andrew Adamson
Screenwriter: Ann Peacock, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Producer: Mark Johnson
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Reviews for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch,...
Enchantment, adventure, sly humor, the beauty of the seasons, life lessons about responsibility, family and sacrifice all co-exist in this film in splendid harmony. The filmmakers have created a classic.
Adamson's touch is rather pedestrian, as if he didn't have the confidence to let Lewis' tale soar.
The filmmakers make many compromises in the name of epic scope and box office appeal, but they can't bend this story out of shape, and they have Tilda Swinton on hand to spank anyone who tries.
If you love the book it is hard to imagine you not loving the movie, regardless of the ideological prism through which you view it.
4. Oreius and the rest of the centaurs break into a rousing rendition of "Day by Day" to motivate the troops.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe fares much better in its smaller, quieter moments that test the mettle and morality of its young heroes
The Chronicles of Narnia does indeed capture a certain wondrous, fantastical imagination inspired by C.S. Lewis' literary classics. But the film unfortunately also suffers from Lord of the Rings envy.
Tilda Swinton... may be the scariest witch since Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz.
Adamson knows how to give talking creatures heart, the special effects work but aren't overwhelming, and the basis is a classic for a reason. Try it on for size; you won't be disappointed.
On balance, more of the movie works than doesn't, but this isn't 140 minutes of unqualified successes.
The film fares better when it gives itself over to pageantry and action -- which come in copious quantities -- and to the pantheon of gorgeously rendered, hyper-realistic CGI beasties.
I know it's bizarre to say CGI beavers have more life to them than the humans who interact with the computerized creations, but it's true. The whole movie feels flat.
[W]arm, sweet, funny, scary, magnificent, gorgeous, expansive, intimate, but mostly completely and utterly charming. And I mean Charming with a capital C, charming like the movie invented the concept...
The many moments of sacrifice, resurrection, and Judas-like betrayal feel like they're from another film, and not one with talking beavers and fur coat-clad heroes.
This is one of the most boring stories ever told in any format... If this is the truncated movie version, how redundant was the book?
Latest News for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,...
July 10, 2008:
Exclusive: Guillermo del Toro on Creating an International Animation Studio
Guillermo del Toro plans to start up an international animation studio when he's finished work on The Hobbit film(s), he told RT during our exclusive Dinner and the Movies... More...
June 25, 2008:
Wanted's James McAvoy: His Best-Reviewed Films
The action-thriller Wanted hits theaters this week, and though it's toplined by one of the biggest stars in the world (Angelina Jolie), it also features a young Scotsman who's... More...
May 14, 2008:
Total Recall: Our Favorite Talking Animals
Now that the second film in Disney/Walden's big-budget reimagining of the Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, is heading to theaters, we here at RT thought... More...
May 12, 2008:
RT on DVD: Indiana Jones Box Set, Narnia in Blu-ray, and a Porn Virus Epidemic?
Spaced, the UK cult hit series, is finally headed to the States this summer - but guess what's here now? A 3-disc Indiana Jones DVD collection and Narnia in Blu-ray! (Plus, we... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

