The Borrowers
The Borrowers Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Movie Overview: The Borrowers
| Movie | The Borrowers |
| Release Year | 1997 |
| Director | Peter Hewitt |
| Genre | Adventure / Fantasy / Action / Comedy / Family |
| Runtime | 87 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Borrowers (1997) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Borrowers are led by John Goodman . The supporting cast, including Mark Williams and Jim Broadbent , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Borrowers does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Adventure films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Borrowers 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 Adventure fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Borrowers
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1997, The Borrowers is a Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Family film directed by Peter Hewitt. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving John Goodman.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. The four-inch-tall Clock family secretly share a house with the normal-sized Lender family, "borrowing" such items as thread, safety pins, batteries and scraps of food. However, their peaceful co-existence is disturbed when evil lawyer Ocious P. Potter steals the will granting title to the house, which he plans to demolish in order to build apartments. The Lenders are forced to move, and the Clocks face the risk of being exposed to the normal-sized world. 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. John Goodman'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 Borrowers
The Borrowers Ending Explained: Directed by Peter Hewitt, The Borrowers wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core adventure themes developed throughout the film.
The climax builds toward a high-stakes confrontation that resolves the main conflict, particularly in scenes involving John Goodman. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the adventure themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Borrowers reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Borrowers?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Adventure films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of John Goodman or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Borrowers
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $29.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $22.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Borrowers Budget
The estimated production budget for The Borrowers is $29.0M. 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 Borrowers
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Borrowers Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Borrowers Parents Guide & Age Rating
1997 AdvisoryWondering about The Borrowers age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Borrowers is 87 minutes (1h 27m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Borrowers is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1997 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Borrowers worth watching?
The Borrowers is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Borrowers parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Borrowers identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Borrowers?
The total duration of The Borrowers is 87 minutes, which is approximately 1h 27m long.
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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.
