Spellbound Review: Charming, Heartwarming, & Fun!

Netflix’s Spellbound is the perfect family film. It features memorable music, stunning animation, and heartwarming messages.

Spellbound is one of those movies that will be a favorite for children and a gut-punch (in a good way) for parents. The music is fun, catchy, and memorable. The animation is beautiful and mesmerizing. The story is extremely heartwarming and is sure to resonate with parents all over the world.

Unfortunately, the theme of not fully understanding the effect that your actions and words have on your children is universal. Sometimes we push our children to the side when we do not mean to.

When Princess Ellian’s parents are turned into monsters by a mysterious dark force, she must race against the clock to return them to humans before time runs out and they are lost forever. This sends her on an epic journey through the lands, helped out by the Oracles, who are one of the best parts of the movie. They are a blast, which is not a shock once you discover they are voiced by the hilarious Nathan Lane and Titus Burgess.

The Music Of Spellbound Is Catchy & Memorable

Rachel Zegler voices Ellian so it should come as no surprise that her songs are beautifully sung. Any time that Zegler sings, I am a happy viewer. She is an absolute talent. She is not the only one who sings, however. John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, and Tituss Burgess also have quite a few musical performances in Spellbound. All of the songs are enjoyable, and most of them are sure to immediately get stuck in your head.

The score is composed by Alan Menken, who also co-wrote the songs, which shows you exactly why the music in Spellbound is so good. Menken is a living legend.

There Is A Small Issue With Spellbound

One of my issues with this movie is, well, not really an issue. I truly wish we had more of the Oracles. They brighten every scene they are in and deliver most of the laugh-out-loud moments. They are so much fun and I am so glad that they are a part of this movie. I would watch a spinoff movie, or series, with them in a heartbeat (take notes Netflix).

In all seriousness though, there are a few moments in Spellbound where the time drags. It clocks in at one hour and forty-nine minutes and could have been a clean ninety. I know that is not much of a difference, but there is one part in particular – when Ellian and her parents are traveling through a log – that could have been cut down.

Spellbound Is Fun For The Whole Family

Overall though, Spellbound is a magical, musical journey that is sure to resonate with a lot of families. The cast is wonderful, the jokes land and the music is beautiful. There is a lot to love about this one.

Arriving just in time so families can watch it over the holidays, Spellbound is available to stream on Netflix now.

NEXT: Spellbound Early Reactions Praise Rachel Zegler & Animation

**Spellbound Spoilers Ahead**

While several critics have already discussed this aspect of Spellbound, and even though it is now streaming on Netflix, I do not want to talk about this reveal without giving it a spoiler label. Personally, I think the movie impacted me more because I did not know this aspect of the movie.

At the very end of Spellbound, it is revealed that Princess Ellian’s parents get a divorce. She has two homes. Her parents successfully co-parent, which is extremely important. Not many family movies touch on this, and I find it to be a very important topic of conversation because so many children experience this.

As a child of divorce myself, this really hit home for me. I was much happier after my parents separated because they were clearly not happy together. I love how Spellbound puts a positive light on divorce because it is something that can be really scary for kids and it is helpful for them to know that things can actually be better for it in the end, even though it might be difficult at the time.

About Spellbound

Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters.

Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek), featuring songs by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled), and starring Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), this is a dream come true for anyone longing to enter a magical new animated world.

Spellbound is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.