--- title: "Dumbo" year: 2019 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/dumbo-2019" fi1m_id: "dumbo-2019" imdb_id: "tt3861390" tmdb_id: 329996 wikidata_id: "Q24284798" fi1m_score: 51 critics_score: 49 critics_reviews: 24 published: "2026-10-05T15:18:12.256791+00:00" updated: "2026-10-05T15:18:12.667636+00:00" region: "FR" 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." --- # Dumbo (2019) Directed by Tim Burton · 1h 52m · CNC TP · Family, Fantasy, Adventure ## Identity Dumbo - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/dumbo-2019 - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** dumbo-2019 - **IMDb ID:** tt3861390 - **TMDB ID:** 329996 - **Wikidata ID:** Q24284798 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3861390/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/329996, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24284798 **Fi1m score: 51** · Critics 49 from 24 reviews *In a sentence:* A flying elephant, and somehow we keep being asked to look at the people > Tim Burton’s flying elephant is touching, but the thin human drama gives us too little reason to recommend the film. Danny DeVito and the circus offer some pleasure during the long waits for Dumbo to take centre stage. ## Synopsis At a circus, Dumbo is a baby elephant whose ability to fly makes him an attraction in the arena. Among the people around him are Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell), Milly Farrier (Nico Parker), Joe Farrier (Finley Hobbins) and Maximilian “Max” Medici (Danny DeVito). Separated from his mother, Dumbo needs care and the chance to get back to her. His flights give the circus a spectacle to sell, but the people making plans for his talent have concerns beyond the needs of one elephant. ## Review Tim Burton’s [*Dumbo*](https://film.one/film/dumbo) has an appealing elephant and too many people getting between him and the camera. The attempt to build a fuller family adventure around a circus animal makes sense, especially when there is room to ask who benefits from putting him on display. But the human drama is so thin that it feels like a delay whenever it takes over. We kept wanting to return to the creature whose name is on the film. We were moved by Dumbo’s face; those expressive eyes make the distress of a digital creature surprisingly easy to accept. The animal has a convincing presence, and the slight oddness of his appearance helps him belong to a circus without becoming another piece of decoration. His flights through the arena are the passages that make the film’s enthusiasm easy to share. The camera has something worth following, and the story no longer needs so much explanation. Rick Heinrichs’s production design offers a circus worth looking around and an elaborate Dreamland that sometimes seems more fully imagined than its inhabitants. These are places with enough character to sustain our attention even when the dialogue does not. Ben Davis’s cinematography is more rewarding during the flight sequences, when Dumbo’s movement gives the spectacle a clear focus. Elsewhere, the crowded effects can make the surroundings harder to take in, despite all the work that has gone into them. Danny DeVito supplies some welcome bustle, playing Maximilian “Max” Medici with an appetite for performance that the quieter characters badly need. Michael Keaton’s V. A. Vandevere brings an enjoyable excess of his own, and their shared scenes briefly suggest a livelier film. Colin Farrell, as Holt Farrier, has the harder task of making a thinly written human lead matter beside a flying elephant. The performance cannot give those passages enough interest, though the writing leaves him little chance. Ehren Kruger’s screenplay keeps adding human concerns without making them worth the time spent away from Dumbo. The human characters rarely surprise us, and their concerns give us little reason to wonder what they will do next. Chris Lebenzon’s editing does not solve that imbalance, and 112 minutes feels generous for the amount of story that holds our attention. The film remains busy, but the stretches between its pleasures grow tiring. Danny Elfman’s music urges us to care about people the screenplay has barely developed. The sentiment can be welcome when Dumbo is the focus, because the animation has already given us something to respond to. It becomes wearing when the music has to do the work for everybody else. Too often, a scene asks for sympathy before establishing much beyond the fact that somebody is unhappy. As family fantasy, this ought to be an easy film to enjoy: an unusual animal, a circus and the chance to fly. The complaint about corporate greed gives adults something to consider, but it does not make the human story more interesting. There are individual pleasures here if circus spectacle is enough to carry an evening. For a family night, we would choose this only if a flying elephant is enough to settle the discussion. *Fi1m score 51, published 5 October 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews lean towards disappointment, though most critics find something to like in Dumbo himself. His expressive digital features and flying sequences draw the most consistent praise, offering warmth and excitement even for those unmoved by the surrounding story. The circus settings also earn approval, alongside Danny DeVito and Michael Keaton’s performances. The recurring complaint is that the elephant has to compete with thin human characters for attention. The spread is wide: warmer responses find an appealing family film, while harsher ones describe a dull, overcomplicated remake that loses the original’s emotional force. Critics disagree on how much of Burton’s personality survives the spectacle, and whether its corporate criticism carries any weight. The AV Club finds that criticism surprisingly bold; Slant Magazine sees a film that remains compliant with Disney’s expectations. The bubble-based pink elephants sequence likewise divides opinion, pleasing The AV Club but disappointing The New Yorker. ## Straight answers **Is Dumbo worth watching?** *Dumbo* offers a touching flying elephant but too little engaging human drama for us to recommend it broadly; we score it 51 out of 100. Dumbo’s expressive face, his flights and Danny DeVito’s bustle provide some pleasure, but the long stretches spent with thinly written people make this chiefly an option for families happy with circus spectacle. **How long is Dumbo, and what is it rated?** *Dumbo* runs 1h 52m and is rated TP by the CNC in France. It is a family and fantasy film. **Where can I watch Dumbo in France?** *Dumbo* is streaming on Disney+ in France, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from €3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How does Dumbo compare to Babe?** *Dumbo* is the weaker family film beside [*Babe*](https://film.one/film/babe), which gives its animal’s unlikely achievement more patient storytelling and much more engaging company. We find Dumbo himself moving, but his human companions make the waits between flights tiring; *Babe* earns its tenderness while leaving room for laughter, making it our stronger recommendation for a family evening. **Is Dumbo based on a true story or a book?** *Dumbo* is based on a book by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, rather than a true story. No prior knowledge of the source is needed to follow this family fantasy about a baby elephant whose ability to fly makes him a circus attraction, though we find the added human concerns less engaging than Dumbo himself. **What should I watch after Dumbo?** After *Dumbo*, try [*Babe*](https://film.one/film/babe) (1995, Fi1m 88): An animal’s unlikely achievement comes with patient storytelling and much more engaging company. Then [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro) (1988, Fi1m 89): Children and strange creatures share a gentler fantasy with room for everyday life; and [*Edward Scissorhands*](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands) (1990, Fi1m 83): Tim Burton gives another unusual outsider a neighbourhood full of distinct, troublesome people. ### Reviews we read (24) - **Empire**, Ben Travis (75/100, inferred): The review finds the remake an enchanting blend of Disney warmth and Burton’s dark whimsy, though its human lead is forgettable. It praises Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito’s chemistry, along with the film’s visual design and soaring flight scenes. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/dumbo-2-review/) - **The AV Club**, Katie Rife (B-): Rife finds the film’s corporate critique surprisingly bold but says its bland protagonists and muted spectacle blunt its impact. She praises the expressive CGI Dumbo and the inventive bubble-based take on “Pink Elephants On Parade.” [Read](https://www.avclub.com/tim-burton-s-live-action-dumbo-bites-the-corporate-hand-1833553819) - **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (70/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film compromised but enjoyable, calling it one of Tim Burton’s better recent films. He praises the circus sequences and Dumbo’s odd, endearing animal presence, while criticizing the thin story and one-dimensional human characters. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/dumbo-movie-review.html) - **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but its paywall shell does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no accessible praise or complaint to single out. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/dumbo-review/5137658.article) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be read, so the critic’s verdict cannot be confirmed. No specific praise or complaint is available in the supplied text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/27/movies/dumbo-review.html) - **RogerEbert.com**, Matt Zoller Seitz (2.5/4): The review gives the film a mixed verdict, finding it emotionally appealing but uneven. It singles out the film’s sentiment while criticizing its execution. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dumbo-2019) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (3/5): The critic calls the live-action remake an uplifting wonder and an interesting addition to Disney’s roster. They praise Burton’s blend of pathos and dazzling spectacle, along with its charming story and engaging characters. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-cr1oa6/dumbo/) - **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3/5): The review finds Burton’s adaptation veers between blandness and outlandishness. It initially questions how the baby elephant will look in live action, then suggests that concern is resolved. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/dumbo-1) - **Total Film**, Jamie Graham (3/5): The critic finds the film enjoyable but says it struggles to sustain its magic. They praise Dumbo’s soaring sequences and Burton’s critique of corporate greed, while finding the human-focused parts uninteresting. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/dumbo-review/) - **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (C): Ehrlich finds the film barely clears its own low bar, with flashes of Burton’s creative personality amid a weak script and tiresome spectacle. He especially praises Danny DeVito’s exuberant performance and the visual charm Burton brings to the circus. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/dumbo-review-tim-burton-live-action-1202053597/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (50/100, inferred): Turan finds the film sweet-natured but uneven, with its familiar sentiment keeping it from fully taking flight. He praises Dumbo’s visually inventive CG design and the thrill of its flight through the circus arena. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-dumbo-review-20190328-story.html) - **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (2/5): Norman judges the remake a disappointing, anodyne failure that loses the original’s balance of sweetness and bitterness. He praises the baby elephant’s soulful eyes and says the climax briefly redeems the film. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/dumbo-review-disney-remake-flops-straight-into-the-elephant-graveyard-a4104016.html) - **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (3/2/2): Strong finds Burton’s adaptation a gigantic disappointment and a pale imitation of the original. She singles out the sweet baby elephant as the one thing worth watching, while criticizing the overstuffed story and lack of visual wonder. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/dumbo) - **Slant Magazine**, Keith Watson (1.5/4): The review finds Burton’s film conventional, bland, and ultimately compliant with Disney’s corporate expectations. It praises the imaginative circus environments, especially the elaborate Dreamland setting, while faulting the thin human characters and safe climax. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-tim-burtons-dumbo-gives-its-corporate-overlord-what-it-mostly-wants/) - **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (35/100, inferred): Lane finds Burton’s Dumbo mostly glum and dramatically listless, with little spark in the reunion of Burton and Keaton. He singles out Dumbo’s flying sequences as the film’s best moments, while criticizing the replacement of the original’s pink elephants with soap bubbles. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-winning-excess-of-the-beach-bum) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (30/100, inferred): Rooney finds the remake uneven, overstuffed, and less emotionally affecting than the original. He praises the production design and costumes, while noting that the elephant only becomes the movie’s heart near the end. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/dumbo-review-1195279/) - **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (30/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the remake overburdened and emotionally forgettable, despite Dumbo himself remaining touching. He praises the flying sequences for briefly recapturing the original’s wonder. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/dumbo-review-tim-burton-michael-keaton-1203171521/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (1/5): Bradshaw calls the remake a dull, overcomplicated failure that loses the original’s charm and pathos. He particularly faults its handling of Dumbo’s separation from his mother and the drawn-out third act. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/26/dumbo-review-tim-burton-elephant-disney-thud) - **Sight and Sound**, Alex Dudok de Wit (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the remake a timid, disappointing failure that lacks Burton’s distinctive touch. They single out the slapdash script and the film’s sidelining of Dumbo as major weaknesses. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/dumbo-review-disneys-remake-takes-dead-weight) - **Consequence**, Caroline Siede (70/100, inferred): Siede finds Dumbo an agreeable, open-hearted family film despite thin characters and a clumsy climax. She praises its warm performances and thoughtful update of the original’s animal-rights themes. [Read](https://consequence.net/2019/03/film-review-dumbo/) - **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (2 out of 5): Kaye finds the remake tepid, weighed down by tedious human melodrama and an underused Dumbo. He praises the flying sequences as the few moments that achieve magic, pathos, and grandeur. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/dumbo-review/) - **Paste**, Oktay Ege Kozak (4.0): Kozak finds the remake disappointing, arguing that Dumbo is sidelined by shallow human characters and a plot that loses momentum. He praises Michael Keaton’s campy performance as Vandevere as one of the few elements that sustains interest. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/dumbo/dumbo) - **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (4/10): Spiegel finds Burton’s remake uninspired and poorly focused, with Dumbo sidelined by the human drama. He praises the circus-theme-park design and Keaton and DeVito’s energetic performances. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/565230/dumbo-review/) - **The Wrap** (20/100, inferred): The critic finds Burton’s remake a lifeless, throwaway adventure that lacks the original’s heart and innovation. They praise the digital Dumbo’s tangible presence, but complain that the abundance of glossy effects turns much of the film into visual mush. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/dumbo-2019-film-review-tim-burton-live-action/) ## Details - **Director:** Tim Burton - **Director:** Tim Burton - **Screenplay:** Ehren Kruger - **Novel:** Helen Aberson, Harold Pearl - **Cinematography:** Ben Davis - **Editor:** Chris Lebenzon - **Music:** Danny Elfman - **Production design:** Rick Heinrichs - **Producer:** Ehren Kruger, Justin Springer, Katterli Frauenfelder - **Cast:** Colin Farrell as Holt Farrier; Michael Keaton as V. A. Vandevere; Danny DeVito as Maximilian "Max" Medici; Eva Green as Colette Marchant; Nico Parker as Milly Farrier; Finley Hobbins as Joe Farrier; Alan Arkin as J. Griffin Remington; Roshan Seth as Pramesh Singh - **Runtime:** 1h 52m - **Certificate (CNC):** TP - **Release (France):** 24 July 2019 - **Genres:** Family, Fantasy, Adventure - **Budget:** $170 million - **Box office:** $353 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-BBLl2Bwk ## Where to watch in France - Disney+: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent €3.99, uhd - Apple TV: rent €3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy €11.99, sd - Apple TV: buy €11.99, sd *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, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Babe* (1995), Fi1m 88: An animal’s unlikely achievement comes with patient storytelling and much more engaging company. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/babe.md) - *My Neighbour Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89: Children and strange creatures share a gentler fantasy with room for everyday life. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md) - *The Red Balloon* (1956): A child and an impossible companion, with no need for extra explanation. - *Edward Scissorhands* (1990), Fi1m 83: Tim Burton gives another unusual outsider a neighbourhood full of distinct, troublesome people. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/edward-scissorhands.md) - *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91: A kinder, funnier account of an outsider finding protection among unlikely friends. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md) --- © 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/dumbo-2019