--- title: "Arco: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/arco/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/arco" critics_score: 71 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Arco (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 16 reviews: 11 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Arco a charming, hopeful animated adventure, with praise clustering around its colourful visuals and the warmth of its young leads’ relationship. The detailed backgrounds and imaginative environments draw particular approval, while several reviews find its environmental concerns urgent without making its view of the future despairing. The children’s curiosity and affection give the science-fiction premise an emotional pull, even for critics who find the storytelling familiar. Reservations centre on a predictable plot, conspicuous influences and underdeveloped time-travel rules. The responses range from enthusiastic to mixed, with none wholly negative, though critics differ over how much the sweetness compensates for thin plotting. The Los Angeles Times questions the character animation and comic adult trio, departing from the broader visual praise. Eye for Film offers the sharpest reservation: its review argues that conservative values and dated visions of the future undermine the film’s hopeful outlook. ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2026. The review finds Arco a charming, optimistic film with an urgent environmental message. It especially praises the colourful hand-drawn animation and the warmth of its characters. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/arco/) ## Little White Lies — Michael Leader Rating 4/4/4. 17 March 2026. The review finds the film charming, sincere, and infectious in its hope for the future. It particularly praises the vibrant visual design and the film’s imaginative, environmentally conscious worldbuilding. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/arco) ## Variety — Carlos Aguilar Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 February 2026. Aguilar finds the film wondrous and ultimately hopeful despite its climate-catastrophe premise. He praises its gorgeous, detailed backgrounds and Miyazaki-inspired natural environments. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/arco-review-french-animation-natalie-portman-1236654201/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2025. Festival review. Gyarkye finds the film hopeful and sweet, praising its expressive animation and the bond between its young leads. She notes that the time-travel rules and a thread about cultural preservation feel underdeveloped. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/arco-review-natalie-portman-animation-1236215110/) ## Slant Magazine — Justin Clark Rating 3/4. 10 November 2025. Clark finds the film’s hopeful message convincing despite its portrait of a world in crisis. He praises its hand-painted animation and the childlike wonder and connection at its heart. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/arco-review-ugo-bienvenu/) ## IndieWire — Christian Blauvelt Rating B-. 16 May 2025. Festival review. Blauvelt finds the film imaginative, soulful, and emotionally stirring, though its predictable plot and conspicuous influences hold it back. He praises its vivid animation and hopeful vision of the future. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/arco-review-animated-film-1235123718/) ## Screen Daily — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2025. Festival review. Ide’s verdict is positive, describing the film as appealing. The review highlights its 2D time-travel animation and the premise of a boy from the far future landing in 2075. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/arco-review-natalie-portman-produces-appealing-french-time-travel-animation/5205962.article) ## The AV Club — Jacob Oller Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2025. Festival review. Oller finds Arco an endearing, breezy soft sci-fi story, though its themes and genre details remain underdeveloped. He especially praises the timeless curiosity and central relationship between the two young leads. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/chicago-international-film-festival-2025-arco-the-plague-kontinental-25) ## The Guardian — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 March 2026. Felperin finds the film mostly fresh and emotionally affecting, despite a script that borrows too heavily from earlier science fiction. She particularly praises the bond between the children and their AI-powered nanny robot. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/18/arco-review-rainbow-eco-animation-natalie-portman-mark-ruffalo) ## The Observer — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 March 2026. Ide finds Arco charming despite its familiar plot and limited originality. She praises the richly detailed backgrounds for bringing its contrasting worlds vividly to life. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-other-films-dead-mans-wire-broken-english-arco-and-more) ## Los Angeles Times — Robert Abele Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2026. A sweet but slight animated adventure, Arco offers heartfelt optimism despite a story that sometimes stalls. Abele praises its beguiling earnestness and childlike imaginative daring, while faulting the lifeless character animation and comic adult trio. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-01-23/arco-review-eco-conscious-animation-adventure-ugo-bienvenu-france) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 18 March 2026. The review frames the film as a kid-friendly, hopeful sci-fi adventure. It singles out its kaleidoscopic time-travelling premise, though the article body is unavailable to confirm further details. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/arco-review-2026) ## Den of Geek — Joe George Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2026. The review finds Arco a rich, beautiful family film that stands apart from conventional animation. It praises the film’s imaginative visual style and its humane, thoughtful portrait of children’s lives shaped by technology. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/arco-the-most-wondrous-animated-movie-of-the-year-is-finally-in-theaters/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 2025. The critic finds “Arco” sweet and immersive, though its gentle approach sometimes makes the film dull. They praise its colorful animation and hopeful vision, while faulting the weak antagonists and underwhelming chase. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/arco-review-ugo-bienvenu-neon/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2025. Festival review. The critic finds Arco worthwhile but says it falls short of Flow and Robot Dreams. He praises its colorful visuals and climate-change message, while noting its young audience focus. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2025/06/arco-review-natalie-portman-time-traveling-toon-annecy-1236430541/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 48/100 (inferred from the text). 29 December 2025. Kermode finds Arco a sweet, hopeful story whose conservative values and dated futures undercut its promise. She praises its simple, attractive animation, while criticizing the annoying adult characters and lack of depth. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/arco-2025-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/arco.md