The Black Balloon

  • 2008
  • PG-13
  • 97m
movieMx RATING
6.4/1094
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Black Balloon Review

Last updated: January 26, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Black Balloon (2008) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Black Balloon features a noteworthy lineup led by Rhys Wakefield . Supported by the likes of Luke Ford and Toni Collette , 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 The Black Balloon (2008) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Black Balloon stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Black Balloon

Quick Plot Summary: The Black Balloon is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Black Balloon

Ending Breakdown: The Black Balloon concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Black Balloon reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Black Balloon?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Black Balloon

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $5.0M
Worldwide Gross $5.0M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Black Balloon Budget

The estimated production budget for The Black Balloon is $5.0M. 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.

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Top Cast: The Black Balloon

All Cast & Crew →
Rhys Wakefield
Rhys WakefieldThomas Mollison
Luke Ford
Luke FordCharlie Mollison
Toni Collette
Toni ColletteMaggie Mollison
Erik Thomson
Erik ThomsonSimon Mollison
Gemma Ward
Gemma WardJackie Masters
Sarah Woods
Sarah WoodsWoman Next Door
Sam Fraser
Sam FraserKid Next Door
Zelie Bullen
Zelie BullenMother in Van
Anthony Phelan
Anthony PhelanMr. Masters
Deborah Piper
Deborah PiperJanet-Social Worker
Henry Nixon
Henry NixonTrevor-Social Worker
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Where to Watch The Black Balloon Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

The Black Balloon Parents Guide & Age Rating

2008 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Black Balloon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Black Balloon is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Black Balloon 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 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Black Balloon is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2008 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Black Balloon. Rating: 6.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Black Balloon worth watching?

The Black Balloon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Black Balloon parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Black Balloon identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Black Balloon?

The total duration of The Black Balloon is 97 minutes, which is approximately 1h 37m long.

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How The Black Balloon Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Black Balloon

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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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.4
The Black Balloon
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-black-balloon-8747" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.4</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Black Balloon</div></div></a>

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