Remarkably Bright Creatures
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2026 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
6
Negative:
1

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
The A.V. ClubTara Bennett May 7, 2026
While Remarkably Bright Creatures may repel those with little patience for stories of fate, those who enjoyed the book—or those who enjoy character pieces as catharsis—will find this a worthwhile adaptation. Read full review
80
StatusBrian LowryMay 8, 2026
A near-irresistible and highly emotional adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling novel. Read full review
75
TheWrapMatt GoldbergMay 7, 2026
It all makes for a nice movie, and I can be a sucker for nice movies when they’re handled as well as this one. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleMay 7, 2026
If “Remarkably Bright Creatures” only had that magnificent octopus going for it, it would be halfway to a good movie. But the human characters are interesting, as well, showing the stresses of the different stages of life. Read full review
75
IndieWireKate ErblandMay 7, 2026
Maybe it’s something about seeing Sally Field bond with an octopus, or watching a true inter-generational friendship blossom on screen, or maybe it’s just something more obvious: taking the best parts of a sweet story, and paring it down to its best bits. Or, well, best arms? Tentacles? Whatever can reach out and touch you, just as this film will. Read full review
70
Next Best Picture Megan LachinskiMay 7, 2026
The film’s message is less about the remarkably bright creatures themselves, and more about the power of finding healing and solace in community. It’s a forgettable yet instantly re-watchable, feel-good story that tugs on your heartstrings and knows how to do it. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterAngie HanMay 7, 2026
As a film about animals, Remarkably Bright Creatures is human-centric treacle. But as a film about people, its gentle sense of humor and depth of feeling are enough to sweep you away on a wave of emotion. Read full review
70
Screen RantMolly FreemanMay 7, 2026
While there are explorations of difficult topics in Remarkably Bright Creatures, the movie is ultimately about the good in people, and how human connection can lead to a fulfilling life. As such, it wouldn't be surprising for the film to wring a few (or a lot of) tears from its viewers, with its themes of resilience and recovering from devastating grief. But Newman and Whittington's script balances the darker moments of the movie's story with plenty of levity, helped along by Remarkably Bright Creatures' idiosyncratic octopus narrator. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzMay 8, 2026
The movie expects you to just roll with all this stuff. Or slither. Sometimes you can’t. But when the film escapes the confinement tank of its numerous hand-me-down cliches, you’re happy to follow the water trail to see where it leads. Read full review
63
The Associated PressLindsey BahrMay 7, 2026
It’s certainly a bit whimsical and stop-and-go considering how much of the story takes place outside of the aquarium, but it mostly stays on the right side of cloying never veering into treacly “The Life of Chuck” territory. And it is all building to something, though it takes a bit of time to get there. Read full review
60
The GuardianBenjamin LeeMay 8, 2026
Held together by Molina’s typically commanding voiceover, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a simple, heart-first drama of broken people trying to put themselves back together. Read full review
55
The Travers TakePeter TraversMay 8, 2026
Sally Field mothers a talking octopus in a shameless tearjerker that doesn’t shy away from eye-rolling cliches but may just be the empathy booster we all need right now. Read full review
50
LooperAlistair RyderMay 7, 2026
While I wasn't left completely cold by Remarkably Bright Creatures, I found its tried-and-tested clichés far more enjoyable than its wilder idiosyncrasies. Read full review
40
The IndependentClarisse LoughreyMay 8, 2026
While Marcellus, an ageing octopus feeling stifled in his imprisonment, is meant to act as a spiritual mirror to Tova, the film ultimately isn’t all that interested in the more delicate work of making peace with what can’t be brought back. Read full review
40
VarietyGuy LodgeMay 7, 2026
Heavy on benevolent feeling and shy of outright human conflict, the film floats and sprawls and spirals like the creature to which it’s glowingly in thrall, but a bit of spine wouldn’t go amiss. Read full review
40
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergMay 7, 2026
While being cynical about a wise-octopus movie is probably unfair, being bored by it isn’t great, either. Read full review
35
The Daily BeastNick SchagerMay 7, 2026
Eliciting exasperated laughs at its every manipulation, it may be the most ridiculously corny movie of all time. Read full review
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