Is Leo Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Leo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies.
It features a runtime of 102 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Leo Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2023, Leo emerges as a significant entry in the Animation, Comedy, Family domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. Unlike standard genre fare, Leo attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and Leo features a noteworthy lineup led by Adam Sandler . Supported by the likes of Bill Burr and Cecily Strong , 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?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Leo (2023) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.4/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Leo Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Leo is a Animation, Comedy, Family film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film 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. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Leo Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Leo resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to animation resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Leo reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Leo?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Leo
- Adam Sandler – Leo (voice)
- Bill Burr – Squirtle (voice)
- Cecily Strong – Mrs. Malkin (voice)
- Jason Alexander – Jayda's Dad (voice)
- Rob Schneider – Principal (voice)
Top Highlights
Adam SandlerLeo (voice)
Bill BurrSquirtle (voice)
Cecily StrongMrs. Malkin (voice)
Jason AlexanderJayda's Dad (voice)
Rob SchneiderPrincipal (voice)
Allison StrongMrs. Salinas (voice)
Jo KoyCoach Kimura (voice)
Sadie SandlerJayda (voice)
Sunny SandlerSummer (voice)
Coulter IbanezZane (voice)
Where to Watch Leo Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixParents Guide & Age Rating
Leo is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.4/10, and global collection metrics, Leo stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2023 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leo movie hit or flop?
Leo is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.4/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Animation, Comedy, Family movies.
Is Leo worth watching?
Yes, Leo is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Animation, Comedy, Family cinema.
Where can I watch Leo online?
Leo is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Leo
How Leo Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Leo
"Leo" is a lizard who has lived with his tortoise pal "Squirtle" in a school classroom watching the kids come and go over the years. They've actually become quite adept at on-the-spot evaluations of them - the spoiled ones, rich ones, lonely ones etc., and are a bit tired and cynical. A chance conversation gives "Leo" a bit of an headache - he may be about to die of old age! He is determined not to end his days in this glass cage, and when a disciplinarian supply teacher ("Ms. Malkin") decides that each child has to take a pet home for the weekend, he sees an opportunity to abscond! Needless to say, his escape attempts are the stuff of slapstick, but instead he begins to bond with each child. He can talk! They can talk! He only talks to them, though - they are special...! "Leo" is their secret friend who actually turns out to be quite the social worker/therapist/motivator soon becoming a firm favourite - even if he is no nearer freedom. Can he get to the Everglades before he hits the terminal 75? This actually reminded me a little of "Ron's Gone Wrong" (2021) in that it uses animation - and quite a sarcastically observant script - to again draw our attention to just how children are increasingly "un-parented". Left to their own devices - quite literally - and dependent on constant peer validation (or domination). The characterisations of the human beings here are a bit extreme, but it does serve to illustrate quite well how a broad gamut of parenting skills results in a broad gamut of increasingly flawed and vulnerable small people. The ending involves quite a fun bus chase and some menacing crocodiles - but are they as terrifying as a fed up "Ms. Malkin"? It's worth a watch to see...
Unexpectedly quite fun. Happy Madison Productions and Netflix teaming up for an animation flick hardly sets the pulse racing and as such I was, perhaps naively, anticipating 'Leo' to fall rather flat. Happily, I was wrong. It does a great job at merging meaning and humour, I laughed a fair bit. My negative predictions were almost confirmed as soon as Adam Sandler starts talking in this 2023 film, as the voice he puts on was one I thought was going to be very grating. However, again, that was not the case. He makes it work and then some. Bill Burr is also a pleasant cast member. The rest of the voice bunch are good too. The musicial elements aren't the most fitting, though in all honesty don't drag the film down all that much. Overall, a relatively exceptional movie.
Heartwarming and wholesome ❤️😊
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Adam Sandler
View full filmography
Part of the Leo Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise