The Gruffalo

Synopsis

The Gruffalo, an acclaimed 2004 animated short film featuring the voice of Felix Hayes, brings to life the beloved children's story written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Set in a richly illustrated forest, the film follows a clever little mouse who invents tales of a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo to outwit predators. As the story unfolds, the mouse encounters various forest animals, using wit and imagination to navigate the dangers of the wild. The animation combines charming visuals and engaging narration, making it a timeless tale of bravery, cleverness, and friendship that appeals to audiences of all ages.

Cast

• 

  Felix Hayes

• Hilda Gardner

• Tom Warwick

Reviews

The Gruffalo has received widespread praise from critics and audiences alike, holding an impressive rating of 8.7/10 on IMDb. Reviewers commend its faithful adaptation of the beloved book, its high-quality animation, and captivating narration by Felix Hayes. For example, Common Sense Media awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars, emphasizing its family-friendly nature and educational value, noting it "delivers a clever story that entertains and teaches valuable lessons about courage and creativity." Rotten Tomatoes does not carry a traditional critic score for this short film, but user ratings consistently highlight its appeal to both children and adults. Metacritic similarly lacks aggregated professional reviews, but audience scores are overwhelmingly positive. Critics have particularly noted the film's beautiful watercolor-style animation and its soothing musical score, building a magical atmosphere. Some viewers mention the film's short runtime as a downside if viewers desire more depth, but overall it is praised as a delightful, faithful, and heartwarming adaptation of a classic children's story.

See also

The Good Dinosaur

The Island

Isle of Dogs

Erin Brockovich