The Lovely Bones

  • 2009
  • PG-13
  • 136m
movieMx RATING
7.1
4.9K
VERDICT
HIT
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The Lovely Bones Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 10, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 10, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Lovely Bones

MovieThe Lovely Bones
Release Year2009
DirectorPeter Jackson
GenreFantasy / Drama
Runtime136 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Lovely Bones (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Lovely Bones are led by Saoirse Ronan . The supporting cast, including Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Lovely Bones (2009) is generally positive—a solid choice for fans of the genre. With a platform rating of 7.1/10, it currently stands as a HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

The Lovely Bones stands out as a strong entry in the Fantasy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Fantasy narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Lovely Bones 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 Fantasy fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Lovely Bones

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, The Lovely Bones is a Fantasy, Drama film directed by Peter Jackson. The narrative transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Saoirse Ronan.

Story Breakdown

The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. After being brutally murdered, 14-year-old Susie Salmon watches from heaven over her grief-stricken family -- and her killer. As she observes their daily lives, she must balance her thirst for revenge with her desire for her family to heal. 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. Saoirse Ronan'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.

Thematic Depth

The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.

What Works & What Doesn't

✅ Strengths

  • Solid execution of genre conventions
  • Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
  • Competent performances from the cast

⚠️ Weaknesses

  • Some narrative choices that feel predictable
  • Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act

Ending Explained: The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones Ending Explained: Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lovely Bones resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core fantasy themes developed throughout the film.

The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Saoirse Ronan. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
  • Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of The Lovely Bones reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch The Lovely Bones?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Fantasy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Saoirse Ronan or the director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Lovely Bones

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $65.0M
Worldwide Gross $93.6M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Lovely Bones Budget

The estimated production budget for The Lovely Bones is $65.0M. 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 Lovely Bones

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Where to Watch The Lovely Bones Online?

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The Lovely Bones Parents Guide & Age Rating

2009 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

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

The Lovely Bones is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Lovely Bones is 136 minutes (2h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Lovely Bones is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Lovely Bones. Rating: 7.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Lovely Bones worth watching?

The Lovely Bones is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Lovely Bones parents guide and age rating?

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

What is the total runtime of The Lovely Bones?

The total duration of The Lovely Bones is 136 minutes, which is approximately 2h 16m long.

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Critic Reviews for The Lovely Bones

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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
★ 7.1
The Lovely Bones
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