---
title: "Cocoon: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/cocoon/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/cocoon"
critics_score: 72
critics_reviews: 8
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."
---

# Cocoon (1985): what the critics said

Critics' score 72 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative.

Most critics respond warmly to Cocoon’s blend of science fiction, human drama and wish fulfilment. Praise centres on the older ensemble, whose spirited performances give the fantasy its emotional weight. The reviews repeatedly credit the film with affection for its ageing characters, and several find that its humour and tenderness make the sentimentality work. Ron Howard’s handling of the human story attracts more consistent enthusiasm than the spectacle, with the residents’ lives providing the strongest connection to the alien premise.

The reservations concern how much sweetness the story can sustain, alongside effects that some find dated. Empire acknowledges the heavy sentimentality but finds enough warmth and acting quality to recommend it, particularly in Don Ameche’s performance. Slant Magazine is more resistant, finding the film cloying and commercially hollow while still enjoying the older actors’ interplay. The spread runs from strong enthusiasm to mixed responses, rather than outright rejection.

## Los Angeles Times — SHEILA BENSON

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 June 1985. 

Benson finds the film a sly, generous wish-fulfillment story whose optimistic ending earns its emotional impact. She praises the ensemble’s performances and Howard’s blend of wit, tenderness, and humanity.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-21-ca-11707-story.html)

## Radio Times — John Ferguson

Rating 4/5. 

Ferguson praises the film as an effective blend of human drama and science fiction, with a feel-good appeal. He singles out the veteran cast’s sharp, spirited performances, which outshine the younger leads.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-65zxn3/cocoon/)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1984. 

The review finds the film mesmerizing and inventive. It especially praises how the galaxy fantasy is woven together with the lives of the aging residents.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/cocoon-1200426624/)

## Empire — Ian Nathan

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

Nathan gives the film a positive verdict despite its heavy sentimentality. He singles out the warmth of the story and the elderly cast’s performances, especially Don Ameche’s.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/cocoon-review/)

## Time Out — WFJ

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The available page metadata does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It describes the alien cocoons central to the film’s premise but does not identify anything the critic praises or complains about.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/cocoon)

## Slant Magazine — Chris Cabin

Rating 2.5/5. 26 April 2010. 

Cabin finds the film harmless but ultimately cloying and commercially hollow. He praises the lively, sometimes touching interplay among Ameche, Cronyn, and Brimley.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/cocoon/)

## Eye for Film — Gabriella Trybalska

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2002. 

Trybalska treats the film as an affectionate, sentimental classic that remains entertaining despite its dated effects. She especially praises the performances of the distinguished older cast and Ron Howard’s restraint with CGI.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/cocoon-film-review-by-gabriella-trybalska)

## Collider — Germain Lussier

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 May 2010. 

Lussier finds that the film remains an emotionally effective, enjoyable ride despite its dated elements, and says fans will be happy with the Blu-ray. He singles out the excellent picture transfer, while criticizing the short, studio-made featurettes as disappointing extras.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/cocoon-25th-anniversary-blu-ray-review/)

---
© 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/cocoon.md