The Meerkats Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Meerkats
| Movie | The Meerkats |
| Release Year | 2008 |
| Director | James Honeyborne |
| Genre | Documentary / Family |
| Runtime | 83 minutes (1h 23m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Meerkats (2008) 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 Documentary.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Meerkats are led by Paul Newman . The supporting cast, including Rufus Beck and Guillaume Canet , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Meerkats stands out as a strong entry in the Documentary genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Documentary narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Meerkats has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Documentary fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Meerkats
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2008, The Meerkats is a Documentary, Family film directed by James Honeyborne, written by Alexander McCall Smith. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. As part of the Erdmännchen Filmreihe, it provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Paul Newman as Narrator (voice).
Ending Explained: The Meerkats
The Meerkats Ending Explained: A coming of age story following a young meerkat pup, Kolo, growing up in the Kalahari desert; and an inspiring look at how one family's connection to each other and their surroundings is a model of resilience and fortitude for us all. Directed by James Honeyborne, this 2008 documentary film stars Paul Newman (Narrator (voice)), alongside Rufus Beck as Narrator (Russian release) (voice), Guillaume Canet as Le narrateur (voix française). With a 6.7/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Meerkats?
A coming of age story following a young meerkat pup, Kolo, growing up in the Kalahari desert; and an inspiring look at how one family's connection to each other and their surroundings is a model of resilience and fortitude for us all. Shot using ground-breaking techniques, this dramatised documentary is a one-of-a-kind presentation from The Weinstein Company and the BBC, featuring narration by Paul Newman.
James Honeyborne's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Paul Newman (Narrator (voice))'s journey. Shot using ground-breaking techniques, this dramatised documentary is a one-of-a-kind presentation from The Weinstein Company and the BBC, featuring narration by Paul Newman.
As part of the Erdmännchen Filmreihe, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.
How Does Paul Newman (Narrator (voice))'s Story End?
- Paul Newman: Paul Newman's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Rufus Beck (Narrator (Russian release) (voice)): Rufus Beck's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Guillaume Canet (Le narrateur (voix française)): Guillaume Canet's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Meerkats Mean?
The Meerkats's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Paul Newman may feel rushed. James Honeyborne's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Meerkats Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Meerkats Based on a True Story?
No, The Meerkats is a work of fiction. While the documentary, family film directed by James Honeyborne and starring Paul Newman may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Meerkats?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Documentaries films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Paul Newman or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
At just 83 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Where to Watch The Meerkats Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Meerkats Parents Guide & Age Rating
2008 AdvisoryWondering about The Meerkats age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Meerkats (2008) is 83 minutes (1h 23m). Directed by James Honeyborne, the film runs for 83 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Meerkats is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2008 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Meerkats worth watching?
The Meerkats is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary 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 Meerkats parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Meerkats identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Meerkats (2008)?
The runtime of The Meerkats (2008) is 83 minutes (approximately 1h 23m).
movieMx Verified
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.
Useful Links
More with Paul Newman
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Part of the Erdmännchen Filmreihe
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
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