Cinderella
RKO Radio Pictures | Release Date: March 4, 1950 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
85
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
14
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
The New York TimesBosley Crowther
Whoever engineered the sequence of the pumpkin transformation in this film—the magical change to coach and horses—deserves an approving hand. And the scene in which Cinderella blows soap bubbles—opalescent globes full of fragile reflections and rainbow colors—is one of the cleverest animations yet seen. To the fellows who dreamed up these fancies we are heartily grateful, indeed. They have sprinkled into Cinderella—along with sugar and wit—some vagrant art. Read full review
100
TimeStaff (Not Credited)
A small army of Disney craftsmen has given the centuries-old Cinderella story a dewy radiance and comic verve that should make children feel like elves and adults feel like children. Read full review
100
TV Guide MagazineMichael Scheinfeld
Excellent animation, marvelous color, and lovely music make Cinderella a delight all the way around. Read full review
100
Entertainment WeeklyChris Willman
The character gags work, the dreamlike ball sequence still induces swooning, and if you aren’t on the edge of your seat for the climactic fitting, it’s time to get back on the romanticism meds. Read full review
100
USA TodayMike Clark
A timeless story. [07 Oct 2005, p.8E]
90
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
This 1950 effort shows Disney at the tail end of his best period, when his backgrounds were still luminous with depth and detail and his incidental characters still had range and bite. Read full review
90
Film ThreatStaff (Not Credited)
It’s in the mice and birds friendly toward Cinderella, and the two bluebirds struggling to pick up the water-filled sponge to carry to Cinderella and splash it over her. Disney films have lasted for years by those good-natured moments and the superlative animation which has given it life for all these years. Read full review
90
IGNMatt Fowler
The glass slipper, the Fairy Godmother, Jaq and Gus - Cinderella is a parade of majestic moments. Read full review
88
Slant MagazineChris Cabin
Thematically, Cinderella preaches something far more easily tangible and relatable to the everyday than a flying elephant, romantic pooches, or mining dwarves: respect and understanding for hard work and those who tirelessly labor with no need for false praise or special consideration. Read full review
80
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
As usual, everything is slightly glossy, soppy and hearty, yet not a string is left untwanged. Read full review
80
EmpireStaff (Not Credited)
Yes, it's beautiful, and yes, it's classic. But it's also got rather a bland pair of lead characters. That said, it's still enjoyable family entertainment, and shall remain forever so. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
When those little mice bust a gut trying to drag that key up hundreds of stairs in order to free Cinderella, I don't care how many Kubrick pictures you've seen, it's still exciting. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneGene Siskel
Enchanting film. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
The cartoon, in fact, has far more success in projecting the lower animals than in its central character, Cinderella, who is on the colorless, doll-faced side, as is the Prince Charming. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineEric Henderson
Despite its prodigious charms, it has probably destroyed more lives than any other Disney film, forcing a specific, unrealistic romantic archetype that truly does only exist in fairy tales onto generations of impressionable children, who would grow up desperate, needy, and crushed. Read full review
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