Is The Boxtrolls Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Boxtrolls is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Boxtrolls Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2014, The Boxtrolls emerges as a significant entry in the Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher. Unlike standard genre fare, The Boxtrolls attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Boxtrolls features a noteworthy lineup led by Ben Kingsley . Supported by the likes of Isaac Hempstead Wright and Elle Fanning , 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 Boxtrolls (2014) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Boxtrolls Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Boxtrolls is a Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy 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. An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher. 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.
The Boxtrolls Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Boxtrolls concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents 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 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 animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Boxtrolls reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Boxtrolls?
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
The Boxtrolls Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $108.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Boxtrolls Budget
The estimated production budget for The Boxtrolls is $60.0M. 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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Full Cast & Crew of The Boxtrolls
- Ben Kingsley – Snatcher (voice)
- Isaac Hempstead Wright – Eggs (voice)
- Elle Fanning – Winnie Portley-Rind (voice)
- Dee Bradley Baker – Fish / Wheels / Bucket (voice)
- Toni Collette – Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind (voice)
Top Highlights
Ben KingsleySnatcher (voice)
Isaac Hempstead WrightEggs (voice)
Elle FanningWinnie Portley-Rind (voice)
Dee Bradley BakerFish / Wheels / Bucket (voice)
Toni ColletteLady Cynthia Portley-Rind (voice)
Jared HarrisLord Portley-Rind (voice)
Nick FrostMr. Trout (voice)
Richard AyoadeMr. Pickles (voice)
Tracy MorganMr. Gristle (voice)
Simon PeggHerbert Trubshaw (voice)
Where to Watch The Boxtrolls Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Boxtrolls is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Boxtrolls stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2014 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Boxtrolls movie hit or flop?
The Boxtrolls has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Boxtrolls worth watching?
The Boxtrolls is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Animation, Comedy, Family movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Boxtrolls online?
The Boxtrolls may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for The Boxtrolls
'The Boxtrolls' has parts that I like, but overall I found it slow-moving. I enjoyed the Boxtrolls themselves, I like how they look and come across. Archibald (Ben Kingsley) and bodyguards, Messrs Trout (Nick Frost) and Pickles (Richard Ayoade), are good, as is the casting of Jared Harris as Lord Charles Portley-Rind. With that said, I liked them individually rather than as a group. Frost and Ayoade being the key examples, despite being two of the same character I never felt a connection between them. Elsewhere, I rate Isaac Hempstead Wright and Elle Fanning as actors, but I don't feel like their voices suit the respective roles of Eggs and Winnie. The stop-motion animation is strong, but I just feel the plot is brought to life in a sluggish manner; the ending particularly felt dragged out to me. All in all, it's an average film in my eyes.
"Snatcher" is determined to get himself a white hat! Why? Well that symbolises his membership of the town's elite - and it gets him to the table for the cheese tasting, and boy does he like cheese - even if it doesn't particularly like him! The scornful "Lord Portley-Rind", though, is having none of this - until, that is, he is promised that they will be rid of the evil, menacing, baby-stealing box trolls. OK, he has a deal - and together with his three henchmen starts apprehending these curious nocturnal creatures. Are they really the danger he purports, though? After one raid, we escape with "Eggs" and "Fish" down into the subterranean cavern where they live. They are a community, looking out for one and other and living the lives of box-clad "Wombles" - recycling as they go. It turns out too that "Eggs" isn't really a troll, but maybe he is the now grown-up missing infant (and maybe also a stunt double for Nicholas Hoult, too)? What now ensues is a lively and entertaining battle of wills between the exterminators and the rapidly diminishing number of trolls who have to find a way to fight back and expose "Snatcher" who has a curious doppelgänger. Whilst the story isn't really anything new, the stop-motion animation is intricate and colourful with some really engaging characterisations extolling virtues of loyalty and friendship, a tiny hint of a romance that delivers a steadily paced and scored presentation. Good fun!
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