---
title: "Forbidden Planet: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/forbidden-planet/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/forbidden-planet"
critics_score: 83
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."
---

# Forbidden Planet (1956): what the critics said

Critics' score 83 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews are uniformly positive about Forbidden Planet, with praise clustering around its visual effects, imaginative technology and spirit of exploration. Critics repeatedly single out the monster and Robby the Robot, whose appeal includes effective comic touches as well as futuristic invention. The electronic score also draws praise, while the borrowing from Shakespeare’s The Tempest is regarded as effective rather than merely decorative. Suspense and a hopeful sense of adventure underpin much of the enthusiasm.

The differences concern the degree of enthusiasm rather than any divide over the film’s merits. Empire offers the clearest reservations, finding some dialogue creaky and performances wooden, but argues that the strengths outweigh those flaws, particularly the theme of technology running out of control. There is no negative dissent in this selection: the range runs from qualified appreciation to emphatic endorsement.

## Radio Times — Alan Jones

Rating 5/5. 

Jones calls it one of the finest science-fiction films ever made and an enthralling spectacle. He praises its superb monster effects and outstanding technology, including Robby the Robot.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ubug8z/forbidden-planet/)

## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 1956. 

The headline indicates a strongly positive review of the film. It singles out the imaginative appeal of its journey through space.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1956/05/04/archives/screen-wonderful-trip-in-space-forbidden-planet-is-out-of-this.html)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1955. 

Variety considers the film a top offering in space adventure, praising its suspense and thrills. It singles out Robby the Robot for adding effective comedy touches.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1955/film/reviews/forbidden-planet-1200418069/)

## Empire — Adam Smith

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

The critic finds the film’s strengths easily outweigh its flaws and regards it as a major work. He particularly praises its prescient technology-out-of-control theme, while faulting some creaky dialogue and wooden performances.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/empire-essay-forbidden-planet-review/)

## Time Out — GA

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

The review presents the film as an effective classic of 1950s science fiction. It singles out its surprisingly effective borrowing from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/forbidden-planet)

## Collider — Andre Dellamorte

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 October 2010. 

The critic calls Forbidden Planet a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic. They praise its hopeful spirit of adventure and exploration, along with its charming vision of the future.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/mars-attacks-blu-ray-review-forbidden-planet-blu-ray-review/)

## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 2010. 

Kermode argues that the film remains an excellent and timeless adaptation of The Tempest. She particularly praises its striking visual effects, electronic score, and memorable monster.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/forbidden-planet-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)

## HeyUGuys — Jon Lyus

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 4 October 2010. 

The critic gives the film and its Blu-ray a strongly positive verdict, calling it a must-buy for science-fiction fans. They single out the sharp picture, rich colours and wealth of special features for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/forbidden-planet-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/forbidden-planet.md