The One and Only Ivan
Disney+ | Release Date (Streaming): August 21, 2020 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
58
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
12
Negative:
1
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
The New York TimesBen KenigsbergAug 20, 2020
Mostly The One and Only Ivan consists of fairly standard Disney lessons, about the hardships of losing parents (real and surrogate) and how difficult it is to embrace change. Read full review
55
CNNBrian LowryAug 20, 2020
The closing kick of The One and Only Ivan is somewhat stirring -- and certainly works hard at being so -- but it's pretty tepid until then. Read full review
50
New York PostJohnny OleksinskiAug 21, 2020
The director of all this airiness comes as a surprise — Thea Sharrock, the British theater artist known for her Broadway production of the play “Equus,” in which a naked Daniel Radcliffe stabbed the eyes out of a stable full of horses. “Ivan” is about as far from that as you can get. Read full review
50
ObserverOliver JonesAug 21, 2020
It’s also the kind of storyline that gives quite a bit of cover to the film’s lesser attributes—namely its general small-mindedness and squishy moral logic. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireAug 21, 2020
Like a novice juggler struggling to master some complicated tricks, The One and Only Ivan tries to encompass several different stories, themes, and ideas while appealing to adults and very young kids at the same time. It’s a tough feat to pull off — an uneasy mix of lofty notions about freedom and dog fart jokes — which the film only sporadically succeeds in achieving. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter TraversAug 20, 2020
The film is torn between a tough-minded plea for animal rights and edge-free, PG family entertainment. But its advocacy of kindness to man and animal is indisputable. Read full review
50
Screen RantMolly FreemanAug 18, 2020
The One and Only Ivan has a good heart at the center of this mediocre animal tale, which never quite delivers on the requisite Disney magic. Read full review
50
ConsequenceJosh SpiegelAug 18, 2020
The One and Only Ivan always “feels” like a movie without actually being compelling enough to be truly entertaining. Read full review
50
USA TodayBrian TruittAug 18, 2020
It’s cute and heartfelt at times, though the adventure by director Thea Sharrock (“Me Before You”) can’t decide between being a fun-filled romp or an animal-rights drama. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreAug 18, 2020
Rendered toothless, with barely a hint of menace or humor, much less jokes or sight gags, “Ivan” plays as downbeat and dispirited. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineDerek SmithAug 18, 2020
The charitable representation of Bryan Cranston’s character greatly diminishes the emotional resonance of the film’s dramatic turns in the final act. Read full review
40
The GuardianBenjamin LeeAug 18, 2020
Rather than a heartwarming family favourite-in-the-making, The One and Only Ivan is just a vaguely watchable cookie-cutter caper thrown together by people who should know how to make something far sweeter and substantial, a fleeting attraction for undiscerning young kids and a whelming waste for anyone older. Read full review
More From This Movie

58 Critic Reviews

7.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 71 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL