---
title: "Bolt"
year: 2008
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/bolt"
fi1m_id: "bolt"
imdb_id: "tt0397892"
tmdb_id: 13053
wikidata_id: "Q212792"
fi1m_score: 74
critics_score: 71
critics_reviews: 14
published: "2026-10-05T05:41:46.630157+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T05:41:46.949129+00:00"
region: "TR"
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."
---

# Bolt (2008)

Directed by Chris Williams, Byron Howard · 1h 38m · Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy

## Identity

Bolt

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/bolt
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** bolt
- **IMDb ID:** tt0397892
- **TMDB ID:** 13053
- **Wikidata ID:** Q212792
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397892/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/13053, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212792

**Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 71 from 14 reviews

*In a sentence:* A hamster has taken personal responsibility for keeping the grown-ups entertained

> A likeable family adventure whose voice cast gives a familiar story some welcome warmth. John Travolta and Susie Essman make it worth an evening with children, though the slower stretches lean heavily on a hamster for comic assistance.

## Synopsis

Bolt (John Travolta) is the central character in an animated adventure that begins with a parody of television action. Penny (Miley Cyrus) and Mittens (Susie Essman) share the story, with Bolt and Mittens repeatedly at odds. A hamster called Rhino (Mark Walton) provides comic relief between the arguments and action. Other characters include Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell), The Director (James Lipton) and The Agent (Greg Germann). The adventure mixes television spoofing with a family comedy built around the exchanges between its characters.

## Review

*Bolt* is good family entertainment, with enough warmth to make its familiar story worth following. Directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard begin with a television-action parody that promises a sharper comedy than the film consistently delivers. The opening is lively, but it also raises expectations for invention that the more conventional adventure cannot quite meet. We would still choose it for an evening shared with children, provided the adults are not expecting every joke to have a second meaning.

John Travolta gives Bolt a tenderness that matters more than any knowing joke could. His voice performance allows the character to sound vulnerable without making every exchange a plea for sympathy, and that keeps the sentiment manageable. We were moved more than we expected by the softness in his delivery. It gives the character enough feeling to hold our attention when the story begins to look familiar.

Susie Essman makes Mittens a useful corrective to all that sweetness, though the screenplay by Chris Williams and Dan Fogelman sometimes leans too heavily on disagreement. The banter between Bolt and Mittens can become repetitive, as though another argument were enough to move things along. She helps by making the sharpness funny rather than merely abrasive. There is warmth in the performance too, and the film benefits whenever she suggests something beyond the next complaint.

Then there is Rhino, the hamster voiced by Mark Walton, who supplies an unreasonable amount of the comic energy. His performance gives the part enough force to enliven the film’s slower stretches without becoming exhausting. The enthusiasm is infectious, although it is telling how often we find ourselves waiting for him. His contribution matters particularly when the bickering begins to drag, and his broad comedy is easier to enjoy than some of the dialogue surrounding it.

Tim Mertens’s editing has to accommodate the action spoof and the gentler character comedy, and the changes of pace are not always comfortable. The opening moves with assurance; elsewhere, exchanges linger after their comic point is clear. John Powell’s music is less distinctive than the voice work, although it suits the adventure. Neither the score nor a brisk cut can do much about conversations that have already given us their funniest line.

The animation handles fast action cleanly, and its visual jokes are often more engaging than the banter. What it lacks is a comparably inventive supply of things for these characters to do and say. Family animation need not reinvent the adventure story, but it does need to keep finding fresh business between the expected turns. At 98 minutes, *Bolt* occasionally feels longer than it should, chiefly because its arguments start repeating themselves.

The modest ambition is not a fault in itself: an affectionate central performance and some good jokes can be plenty for a family film. Here they are, even if the livelier opening leaves us wishing the writing had stayed as alert. Choose it for the voices and the gentle humour; anyone hoping for a sustained television satire should lower those expectations.

*Fi1m score 74, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The consensus on Bolt leans favourable, with praise centred on its likeable characters, visual humour and gentle family comedy. The warmer reviews find emotional depth beneath the lively animation, while even several qualified notices enjoy the supporting cast. Rhino the hamster draws repeated praise for his comic energy, and Mittens earns recognition for sharp dialogue and unexpected warmth, with Susie Essman’s voice performance singled out alongside tender work from John Travolta.

The divide concerns how much those pleasures compensate for familiar storytelling and uneven pacing. Reviews range from enthusiastic approval to faint praise, with none wholly negative; several see renewed confidence in Disney animation without finding the story equally accomplished. Variety doubts that parents will enjoy it as much as children and faults Bolt and Mittens’ argumentative exchanges, while other reservations concern underdeveloped comedy and a running time that feels longer than it should.

## Straight answers

**Is Bolt worth watching?**

*Bolt* is worth watching with children for its warm voice performances and gentle humour, and we score it 74 out of 100. John Travolta gives the familiar adventure real tenderness, while Rhino the hamster supplies much of the comedy; we find the repeated arguments less engaging, and adults hoping for sustained television satire should lower their expectations.

**How long is Bolt, and what is it rated?**

*Bolt* runs 1h 38m. It is an animation and family film.

**Where can I watch Bolt in Türkiye?**

*Bolt* is streaming on Disney+ in Türkiye. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Bolt compare to The Truman Show?**

*Bolt* is the better choice for an evening with children, while we recommend [*The Truman Show*](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show) more strongly to adults drawn to television satire. *Bolt* follows its lively spoof opening with a conventional, affectionate adventure; *The Truman Show* has more unease beneath its comedy, with Jim Carrey’s vulnerable performance giving its premise an emotional weight that the cleverness alone cannot supply.

**What should I watch after Bolt?**

After *Bolt*, try [*The Truman Show*](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show) (1998, Fi1m 88): For adults drawn to television satire, with more unease beneath the comedy. Then [*Toy Story*](https://film.one/film/toy-story) (1995, Fi1m 92): For the quarrelling companions, the wounded pride and the neatly judged jokes; and [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): A prickly animal friendship handled with humour, patience and a softer drawing style.

### Reviews we read (14)

- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (90/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds Bolt a terrific piece of simple entertainment and fun. He singles out its lovable, funny quality. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/05/bolt-disney-john-travolta-film-review-peter-bradshaw)
- **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (B+): Robinson praises Bolt as a welcome return to form for Disney animation. She singles out its lively TV parody opening and Pixar-like emotional depth. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/bolt-1798205268)
- **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (4/5): The critic finds Bolt an imaginative, family-friendly animated charmer. They praise its visual wit and gentle character comedy. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a1kyfd/bolt/)
- **Time Out**, Wally Hammond (4/5): Hammond finds it likeable, dynamic family entertainment. He praises its seductive characterisation. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/bolt-1)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (75/100, inferred): Turan finds Bolt a sweet, smart family film with a welcome touch of Disney’s golden age. He particularly praises its humor and pleasantly wacky, idiosyncratic characters. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-nov-21-et-bolt21-story.html)
- **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (65/100, inferred): O'Hara finds Bolt charming but uneven, with its Disney storytelling and Pixar-inspired touches failing to fully gel. She singles out hamster Rhino for bringing energy and comedy to the slower stretches. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bolt-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, The Associated Press (65/100, inferred): The critic finds Bolt a genial, enjoyable step forward for Disney Animation, though its story and comedy feel familiar and underdeveloped. They single out John Travolta’s tender voice performance and the film’s appealing digital 3-D. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/film-review-bolt-125094/)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but the review text is behind a paywall. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined from the available text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/bolt/4042026.article)
- **The New York Times**, A. O. Scott (64/100, inferred): The article text is unavailable, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the page provided. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/movies/21bolt.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2.5/4): Schager finds the film amiable but uninspired, offering only faint admiration. He praises its colorful, dexterous animation and notes Mark Walton’s standout voice performance. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bolt/)
- **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (55/100, inferred): McCarthy finds Bolt an okay, uneven Disney animated film that should entertain young children more than their parents. He praises the 3-D presentation and Rhino’s comic relief, while faulting the argumentative banter between Bolt and Mittens. [Read](https://variety.com/2008/digital/awards/bolt-3-1200472217/)
- **/Film**, David Chen (8/10): Chen finds Bolt a wholesome, emotionally affecting family film that comes close to Pixar’s standard but falls short. He praises Susie Essman’s performance as Mittens for bringing humor and unexpected depth to the film. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/501441/movie-review-bolt/)
- **Eye for Film**, Tony Sullivan (70/100, inferred): Sullivan considers Bolt good family entertainment, though not an animated classic destined to be remembered fondly. He praises Mittens, whose performance and dialogue steal the show, but finds Cyrus’s song tedious. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/bolt-film-review-by-tony-sullivan)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (3/5): Brew finds Bolt a fun, strongly animated family film that signals renewed confidence at Disney. He praises Rhino the hamster as a sparkling, very funny character, while noting the film runs too long and offers little for parents. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/bolt-film-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Chris Williams, Byron Howard
- **Director:** Chris Williams, Byron Howard
- **Screenplay:** Chris Williams, Dan Fogelman
- **Editor:** Tim Mertens
- **Music:** John Powell
- **Producer:** Clark Spencer
- **Cast:** John Travolta as Bolt (voice); Miley Cyrus as Penny (voice); Susie Essman as Mittens (voice); Mark Walton as Rhino (voice); Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Calico (voice); James Lipton as The Director (voice); Greg Germann as The Agent (voice); Diedrich Bader as Veteran Cat (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 38m
- **Release (Türkiye):** 26 December 2008
- **Genres:** Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $310 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SElF6TVhzhc

## Where to watch in Türkiye

- Disney+: streaming, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2009: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- BAFTA Film Awards 2009: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film (nominated)
- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2009: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2008: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film 2008: Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2008: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Golden Globes 2008: Best Animated Feature Film (nominated); Best Original Song (nominated)
- Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film 2008: Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film (nominated)
- Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture 2008: Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture (nominated)
- Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature 2008: Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Truman Show* (1998), Fi1m 88: For adults drawn to television satire, with more unease beneath the comedy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)
- *Toy Story* (1995), Fi1m 92: For the quarrelling companions, the wounded pride and the neatly judged jokes. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md)
- *The Incredible Journey* (1963): Three animals make a difficult journey, with little need for human explanation.
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A prickly animal friendship handled with humour, patience and a softer drawing style. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): For more frantic comic energy, with household mishaps escalating far beyond reason.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/bolt