The Black Cauldron
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: July 24, 1985 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
7
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
50
The New York TimesWalter Goodman
This is the 25th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney studios, and professionally put together as it is, many of the ingredients may seem programmed to those who have seen some of the others. Read full review
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
As usual it is technically excellent, but the charm, characterisation and sheer good humour that made features like Pinocchio and Jungle Book so enjoyable are sadly absent. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
While more grim than most Disney films, it's not bleakness that gets in the way of The Black Cauldron succeeding; unmemorable protagonists, annoying sidekicks, an awkwardly episodic plot, and animation that ranges in appearance from impressive to cheap to unfinished take care of that. Read full review
40
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
By any hard measure, the $25 million animated Cauldron is not very original. The characters, though cute and cuddly and sweet and mean and ugly and simply awful, don't really have much to do that would remain of interest to any but the youngest minds. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldLaurie Horn
The Black Cauldron is the unthinkable -- a Disney animated feature to which it is inappropriate to take a 4-year-old. Admirers of complex animation will no doubt relish the careful work. But those who believe in fairies may not clap their hands. [24 July 1985, p.D6]
60
Los Angeles TimesCharles Champlin
If you care about animation as an art form, it is impossible not to be thrilled by Disney's "The Black Cauldron." [27 July 1985, p.1]
40
EmpireWilliam Thomas
Possibly not the worst animated feature the House Of Mouse has produced, but certainly stumbling around the darker recesses of the Disney vault. Read full review
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