The Boxtrolls
Performance & Direction: The Boxtrolls Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Boxtrolls (2014) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Boxtrolls features a noteworthy lineup led by Ben Kingsley . Supported by the likes of Isaac Hempstead Wright and Elle Fanning , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Boxtrolls
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2014, The Boxtrolls is a Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy film directed by Graham Annable. The narrative combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ben Kingsley.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Ben Kingsley's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Boxtrolls
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Graham Annable, The Boxtrolls concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to animation resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Ben Kingsley, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Boxtrolls reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Boxtrolls?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ben Kingsley or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Boxtrolls
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $108.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Boxtrolls Budget
The estimated production budget for The Boxtrolls is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Boxtrolls
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Where to Watch The Boxtrolls Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Boxtrolls Parents Guide & Age Rating
2014 AdvisoryWondering about The Boxtrolls age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Boxtrolls is 97 minutes (1h 37m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Boxtrolls is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2014 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Boxtrolls worth watching?
The Boxtrolls is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Boxtrolls parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Boxtrolls identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Boxtrolls?
The total duration of The Boxtrolls is 97 minutes, which is approximately 1h 37m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Boxtrolls
'The Boxtrolls' has parts that I like, but overall I found it slow-moving. I enjoyed the Boxtrolls themselves, I like how they look and come across. Archibald (Ben Kingsley) and bodyguards, Messrs Trout (Nick Frost) and Pickles (Richard Ayoade), are good, as is the casting of Jared Harris as Lord Charles Portley-Rind. With that said, I liked them individually rather than as a group. Frost and Ayoade being the key examples, despite being two of the same character I never felt a connection between them. Elsewhere, I rate Isaac Hempstead Wright and Elle Fanning as actors, but I don't feel like their voices suit the respective roles of Eggs and Winnie. The stop-motion animation is strong, but I just feel the plot is brought to life in a sluggish manner; the ending particularly felt dragged out to me. All in all, it's an average film in my eyes.
"Snatcher" is determined to get himself a white hat! Why? Well that symbolises his membership of the town's elite - and it gets him to the table for the cheese tasting, and boy does he like cheese - even if it doesn't particularly like him! The scornful "Lord Portley-Rind", though, is having none of this - until, that is, he is promised that they will be rid of the evil, menacing, baby-stealing box trolls. OK, he has a deal - and together with his three henchmen starts apprehending these curious nocturnal creatures. Are they really the danger he purports, though? After one raid, we escape with "Eggs" and "Fish" down into the subterranean cavern where they live. They are a community, looking out for one and other and living the lives of box-clad "Wombles" - recycling as they go. It turns out too that "Eggs" isn't really a troll, but maybe he is the now grown-up missing infant (and maybe also a stunt double for Nicholas Hoult, too)? What now ensues is a lively and entertaining battle of wills between the exterminators and the rapidly diminishing number of trolls who have to find a way to fight back and expose "Snatcher" who has a curious doppelgänger. Whilst the story isn't really anything new, the stop-motion animation is intricate and colourful with some really engaging characterisations extolling virtues of loyalty and friendship, a tiny hint of a romance that delivers a steadily paced and scored presentation. Good fun!
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
