Fantastic Fungi

Name: Fantastic Fungi
Genre: Documentary
Released: October 11, 2019
Duration: 81 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Andrew Weil, Art Goodtimes, Bill Richards, Brie Larson, Charles Grob

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

See All

6.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.5	Your Score
6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Fantastic Fungi

Now Playing: Fantastic Fungi

Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: October 11, 2019 | Not Rated

Starring: Andrew Weil, Art Goodtimes, Bill Richards, Brie Larson, Charles Grob, Dennis J. McKenna, Eugenia Bone, Gary Lincoff, Giuliana Furci, Jay Harman, Judith Goedeke, Lori Carris, Mary P. Cosimano, Michael Pollan, Nicholas V. Cozzi, Paul Agarikon, Paul Stamets, Peter McCoy, Roland Griffiths, Stephen Ross, Suzanne Simard, Tony D. Head, Tradd Cotter, William Padilla-Brown

Summary: Fantastic Fungi takes us on an immersive journey into the magical earth beneath our feet: an underground network with the potential to heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty,Fantastic Fungi takes us on an immersive journey into the magical earth beneath our feet: an underground network with the potential to heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges.… Expand

Director: Louis Schwartzberg

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 81 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Matt Fagerholm

Oct 11, 2019

Though its generic title may evoke memories of the archaic science videos you fell asleep to in grade school, Schwartzberg’s film quickly proves to be one of the year’s most mind-blowing, soul-cleansing and yes, immensely entertaining triumphs. Read full review

Robert Abele

Oct 24, 2019

The totality of Fantastic Fungi is so entertaining, informative and appealingly hopeful about the hard-working cure-all for our ailing world lying beneath our feet. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Dec 4, 2019

It’s heady stuff, and Brie Larson’s gentle narration helps you navigate this quite complex topic. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 8, 2019

This movie is fascinating on a lot of levels. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Oct 24, 2019

“Focuses” is a relative term for a documentary that dispenses lots of information without organizing it very well, but Fantastic Fungi is never uninteresting, and often startling in the natural beauty it reveals. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Oct 10, 2019

A charming blend of science and conjecture, Fantastic Fungi wants to free your mind. Read full review

John DeFore

Oct 9, 2019

If they don't know going in, most viewers will be surprised in the credits to learn this is the voice of Brie Larson. Presumably, Larson wanted to lend her star power to a worthy promotion of scientific research; but in this case, the scientists were doing fine all by themselves. Read full review

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

Paper_Kay

Oct 10, 2021

Even if you are not into the idea we are where we are because of magic mushrooms or how trees talk to one another or how fungi are the most important thing ever, the thought of going into the woods the next time and finding a tripping crazy old hippy on top of a tree, screaming at theEven if you are not into the idea we are where we are because of magic mushrooms or how trees talk to one another or how fungi are the most important thing ever, the thought of going into the woods the next time and finding a tripping crazy old hippy on top of a tree, screaming at the universe, is too cute to pass. This one is worth watching for the amazing imagery alone.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Asclepius

Feb 22, 2020

Mycology is interesting in itself, and I went in expecting this to be an informative, in-depth look at fungi. It was not that. It was more focused on humanity's relationship with fungi, specifically around the potentially healing effects of the "magic mushroom" for people who suffer fromMycology is interesting in itself, and I went in expecting this to be an informative, in-depth look at fungi. It was not that. It was more focused on humanity's relationship with fungi, specifically around the potentially healing effects of the "magic mushroom" for people who suffer from various psychological maladies. On this topic, I feel it tarried too long, as if the intent was to reignite a conversation on psychotropics currently regulated by the federal government.

What it does in this regard, it does well. I simply would have preferred more time with the mushrooms out in the woods.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS