Verdict:The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.1/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Fantasy, Adventure, Family genre.
Answer: Yes, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies.
It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2018, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms emerges as a significant entry in the Fantasy, Adventure, Family domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of When Clara’s mother leaves her a mysterious gift, she embarks on a journey to four secret realms—where she discovers her greatest strength could change the world. Unlike standard genre fare, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms features a noteworthy lineup led by Mackenzie Foy . Supported by the likes of Jayden Fowora-Knight and Tom Sweet , 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.
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a Fantasy, Adventure, Family film that transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When Clara’s mother leaves her a mysterious gift, she embarks on a journey to four secret realms—where she discovers her greatest strength could change the world. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Ending Breakdown: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to fantasy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Worth Watching If You:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $120.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $174.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is $120.0M. 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.
Google Play Movies
YouTubeGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.1/10, and global collection metrics, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2018 cinematic year.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms has received mixed reviews with a 6.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Fantasy, Adventure, Family movies, but read reviews first.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms 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.
Okay so this was not my first choice to see this movie but I admit I did it and I wasn't actually too pissed off I did It made me smile and feel all christmasy like I totally recommend you don't count this out yet it's a great trip To the cinema
Not necessarily bad, just pretty lame. 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is a harmless and simple film, fine I guess for the festive period. As a whole, though, it isn't good - despite neat effects and a couple of big names. Keira Knightley (Sugar Plum), Helen Mirren (Mother Ginger) and Morgan Freeman (Drosselmeyer) are familiar faces and are enjoyable on a base level, but their characters are rather forgettable. Mackenzie Foy (Clara) and Jayden Fowora-Knight (Philip) are decent together, while Jack Whitehall (Harlequin) and Omid Djalili (Cavalier) are smart casts - if underused. It's the plot that lets this down, it just all makes for underwhelming viewing - I, personally, never got into it. The beats of the story are quite predictable, especially the main twist. As noted though, the special effects are pleasant enough - as is the Xmas vibe it sets throughout. Very meh. You could watch worse, mind.
When "Clara" (Mackenzie Foy) follows a mysterious golden thread she finds herself in a magical kingdom that it turns out - from her new "Nutcracker" friend "Capt. Philip" (Jayden Fowora-Knight) - is ruled by her mother! This is confirmed by the great and the good at her castle, whereupon she must announce that her mother is no more. Does that make her queen? Well there are certainly a few flies in that particular ointment and it falls to the young girl and her brave military friend to thwart a plan to usurp the kingdom and restore peace and tranquility. This has had the full Disney treatment: it looks stunning, costumes and sets and visual effects all complemented well by a James Newton Howard score that draws occasionally on Tchaikovsky's original themes. Thing is, though, the rest of the narrative is all over the shop. The characterisations are muddled and derivative with Keira Knightley's seriously hammed-up "Sugar Plum" straight of the "Hunger Games" and Dame Helen Mirren's "Mother Ginger" featuring all too sparingly to rescue this rambling and disappointing story. The eagle-eyed amongst us might spot Richard E. Grant and about half way through, there is quite a charming ballet sequence but sadly the gist of this film is really lacking. Unfortunately, lots of style but little of substance here. Looks good, though.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
