Arco is clearly inspired by Studio Ghibli, and while it is entertaining enough, it is hard not to compare it to other, better-made movies.
The trailer and description for Arco immediately sold me. Then I saw the cast list, which includes Mark Ruffalo, Will Ferrell, and American Ferrara, and I was all the way in. It is apparent that this film is inspired by the beloved Studio Ghibli just by taking a look at the animation style, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem lies in that because of that, it is impossible not to compare it to nearly perfect classics like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.
After a mysterious boy wrapped in a rainbow cloak falls from the sky, 10-year-old Iris instinctively decides to help him. Three strange men appear and ask questions about him, but she leads them astray and takes the boy, Arco, to her home, where her family robot helps him.
Yes, you read that right, family robot. Arco is set in a futuristic world where families have robots that take care of the kids when the parents need to be away at work. Sadly, it seems that Iris and her brother are left alone more often than not, so she has a close bond with her robot.
What follows is a thrilling, wild adventure as Iris and Arco begin their journey to get him home. Home, as it turns out, is actually the future. His cloak allows him to travel through time, but it is missing a key component that he lost in the woods. The duo must now take on the three strange men, who, as it turns out, are desperate to find out more about the boy and expose him to the world.
While I will refrain from getting too deep into spoilers, it is essentially a race against the clock, as the kids are running out of time to get Arco home. Their bond only grows stronger as they spend more time together, learning about each other’s lives. It is impossible not to root for them, which is largely in part due to the stellar voice acting and smart writing.
Clocking in at just under ninety minutes, the movie is perfectly paced, never feeling drawn out or rushed. There are moments that are meant to tug at your heartstrings, and some younger or more sensitive viewers might find themselves needing tissues. As with anything that involves time travel, things get a little bit messy when all is revealed. Still, the ending, though predictable and complicated, is exactly what the audience is looking for in a movie like this.
Overall, Arco is entertaining. If it were done in an animation style more different than its inspiration, Studio Ghibli, it would have been harder to compare it to some of the greats. Because of this, it ends up being a little bit of a letdown. Still, worth checking out, though.
About Arco
In 2075, a 10-year-old girl, Iris, sees a mysterious boy wearing a rainbow jumpsuit falling from the sky. It’s Arco. He comes from a distant, idyllic future where time travel is possible. Iris takes him in and will do whatever it takes to help him return home.
Arco had a limited release on November 14, 2025, with a nationwide release planned for early 2026.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.