The Ugly Duckling

  • 1997
  • G
  • 85m
movieMx RATING
5.6/1010
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Ugly Duckling Review

Last updated: January 29, 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 29, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Ugly Duckling (1997) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Ugly Duckling features a noteworthy lineup led by Peter Bayliss . Supported by the likes of Michael Bell and Jon David Bush , 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 Ugly Duckling (1997) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Ugly Duckling stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Ugly Duckling

Quick Plot Summary: The Ugly Duckling is a Animation 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.

Ending Explained: The Ugly Duckling

Ending Breakdown: The Ugly Duckling attempts to tie together its various plot elements. 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 Ugly Duckling reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Ugly Duckling?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Animation films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Top Cast: The Ugly Duckling

All Cast & Crew →
Peter Bayliss
Peter BaylissThe Actor Manager (voice)
Michael Bell
Michael BellThe Fox (voice)
Jon David Bush
Jon David BushChief Wolf (voice)
Christian Campbell
Christian CampbellOlder Ugly (voice)
Maria Darling
Maria DarlingGeraldine (voice)
Avriel Epps
Avriel EppsGirl Rabbit (voice)
Robert Waiting
Robert WaitingLittle Rabbit (voice)
Rosie Glossop
Rosie GlossopFactory Rat (voice)
Kathryn Hasty
Kathryn HastyHetty (voice)
Dayle Hodge
Dayle HodgeBoy Hedgehog (voice)
Brenden Jefferson
Brenden JeffersonSniffy (voice)
Myles Jeffrey
Myles JeffreyThe Triplets (voice)
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Where to Watch The Ugly Duckling Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

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🏷️ Buy on

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The Ugly Duckling Parents Guide & Age Rating

1997 Advisory
G

Official Age Rating

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

The Ugly Duckling is rated G.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Ugly Duckling is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Ugly Duckling is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1997 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Ugly Duckling. Rating: 5.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Ugly Duckling worth watching?

The Ugly Duckling is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Ugly Duckling parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Ugly Duckling identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Ugly Duckling?

The total duration of The Ugly Duckling is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.

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How The Ugly Duckling Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Ugly Duckling

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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
★ 5.6
The Ugly Duckling
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-ugly-duckling-358057" 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;">★ 5.6</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Ugly Duckling</div></div></a>

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