---
title: "Jungle Cruise"
year: 2021
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/jungle-cruise"
fi1m_id: "jungle-cruise"
imdb_id: "tt0870154"
tmdb_id: 451048
wikidata_id: "Q24285605"
fi1m_score: 61
critics_score: 56
critics_reviews: 25
published: "2026-10-05T16:07:18.067804+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T16:07:18.470848+00:00"
region: "PA"
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."
---

# Jungle Cruise (2021)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra · 2h 07m · Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure

## Identity

Jungle Cruise

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/jungle-cruise
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** jungle-cruise
- **IMDb ID:** tt0870154
- **TMDB ID:** 451048
- **Wikidata ID:** Q24285605
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870154/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/451048, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24285605

**Fi1m score: 61** · Critics 56 from 25 reviews

*In a sentence:* Emily Blunt could finish this expedition if everyone stopped explaining it

> Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson make agreeable company, but *Jungle Cruise* gives them too much plot and too little convincing danger. It’s a serviceable adventure for an undemanding evening, with better bickering than spectacle.

## Synopsis

*Jungle Cruise* pairs Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) with Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) in a period adventure through the Amazon. McGregor Houghton (Jack Whitehall) is part of a cast of characters that also includes Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons), Lope de Aguirre (Édgar Ramírez) and Trader Sam (Veronica Falcón). The journey combines comic disagreements, physical action and supernatural dangers. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a screenplay by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and Michael Green, the film runs for 127 minutes and carries a 12A certificate.

## Review

Jaume Collet-Serra’s *Jungle Cruise* is a serviceable adventure, with two enjoyable leads and more plot than it needs. The aim is straightforward: an old-fashioned expedition with danger, jokes and enough fantasy to send the story somewhere unexpected. For much of its 127 minutes, the film seems worried that this will not be enough, so it keeps adding complications. We would have been content with fewer explanations and more time for the actors to annoy each other.

Emily Blunt gives Dr. Lily Houghton the briskness the whole film needs, moving through familiar material without asking us to congratulate her for it. Dwayne Johnson’s Frank Wolff is a useful partner: relaxed enough to be irritating, willing to let her get the better of him. We laughed at their early banter because her impatience keeps interrupting his composure. Their timing makes the exchanges work, and their physical performances give the comedy some welcome variety.

That rapport does not make the romance entirely persuasive. Both actors can sell a disagreement more readily than a tender moment, and the writing tends to assume affection will follow automatically from prolonged proximity. Jesse Plemons, as Prince Joachim, gets considerable pleasure from being a nuisance. His enjoyment of the character’s mischief gives the film a welcome change of energy, especially when the leads are occupied with making the next complication sound important.

Flavio Martínez Labiano’s cinematography is most effective in the smaller, tactile details, which have a presence the wider jungle often lacks. Jean-Vincent Puzos’s production design supplies a busy period setting, though its detail struggles to compete with the digital scenery. Too often, the surroundings look artificial enough to distract from the people moving through them. That makes danger harder to believe, however vigorously the performers react to it, and leaves some of the spectacle oddly unexciting.

The action is generally easy to follow, which matters in a film so eager to crowd the screen. Joel Negron’s editing keeps individual passages legible, but cannot stop the accumulation of them becoming tiring. James Newton Howard’s score gives the adventure an expansive sweep; it is less successful at supplying wonder to images that do not earn it. The music does useful work, though there are stretches when we would welcome a little less encouragement to be impressed.

The screenplay by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and Michael Green gives the cast opportunities for comedy, then repeatedly interrupts them with another complication. Its supernatural explanations demand more attention than they repay, and the later stretch feels longer than it should. Familiarity itself is not the problem: this sort of adventure can be satisfying with a clear goal and characters worth following. The trouble is that each addition feels familiar too, and few give the characters anything more interesting to do.

There is enough good humour here for an evening when agreeable company matters more than surprise. We would recommend it chiefly to viewers who enjoy this kind of fantasy adventure and can forgive scenery that never quite convinces. Go for Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, and allow some patience for the explanations.

*Fi1m score 61, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The consensus on Jungle Cruise is mixed, with praise concentrating on the cast rather than the adventure itself. Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson receive frequent credit for keeping familiar material lively, and Blunt’s energy earns particular approval. Several reviews enjoy the old-fashioned escapism, physical comedy and early banter. Even some of the negative assessments find the leads appealing, while Jesse Plemons attracts praise for his playful menace.

The divide is wide: what some critics find cheerfully familiar, others find derivative and short on thrills. Reservations cluster around the cluttered plot, conspicuous CGI and length, though the action staging has its defenders. Little White Lies finds substantial family fun despite a dragging final act, whereas the Los Angeles Times argues that artificial-looking effects prevent immersion. Chemistry is another point of disagreement: many reviews consider the central pairing a strength, but The Guardian finds it lacking.

## Straight answers

**Is Jungle Cruise worth watching?**

*Jungle Cruise* is worth considering for an undemanding fantasy-adventure evening, and we score it 61 out of 100. Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson make agreeable company, especially when bickering, but the overloaded plot, lengthy explanations and unconvincing digital scenery make it harder to enjoy the expedition itself.

**How long is Jungle Cruise, and what is it rated?**

*Jungle Cruise* runs 2h 07m. It is a fantasy and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Jungle Cruise in Panama?**

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

**How violent or frightening is Jungle Cruise, and is it suitable for children?**

*Jungle Cruise* carries a UK 12A certificate and contains physical action and supernatural dangers, making it a cautious choice for younger children. The certificate permits under-12s with an accompanying adult; we find the artificial scenery makes the danger less convincing, but that does not guarantee it will feel mild to a sensitive child.

**How does Jungle Cruise compare to Romancing the Stone?**

*Jungle Cruise* is the weaker choice for romantic adventure beside [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone), whose sharper sparring gives us more reason to care about the central relationship. We enjoy Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s comic disagreements, but their tender moments are less persuasive; choose *Jungle Cruise* chiefly for its fantasy elements and agreeable leads.

**What should I watch after Jungle Cruise?**

After *Jungle Cruise*, try [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone) (1984, Fi1m 77): Sharper romantic sparring gives its jungle dangers something worth interrupting. Then [*The African Queen*](https://film.one/film/the-african-queen) (1951, Fi1m 84): A river journey where stubborn personalities make the boat feel smaller; and [*Castle in the Sky*](https://film.one/film/castle-in-the-sky) (1986, Fi1m 82): An animated treasure hunt with more wonder and properly worrying heights.

### Reviews we read (25)

- **Little White Lies**, Lou Thomas (3/4/4): Thomas calls it a tremendously fun, subtly progressive family blockbuster. He praises the charismatic leads and lively performances, while noting that the final act drags and some CGI is ropey. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/jungle-cruise)
- **Radio Times**, Huw Fullerton (4/5): The review calls the film an enjoyable romp despite its lack of originality. It singles out its slick, fun, genuinely entertaining approach for praise. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/jungle-cruise-review-disney-plus-comment/)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (B): Ide finds the adventure familiar and its leads’ lack of chemistry disappointing, though it remains a decent family film. She particularly praises Emily Blunt’s lively performance as Lily Houghton. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/aug/01/jungle-cruise-review-emily-blunt-dwayne-johnson-disney)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (70/100, inferred): The review presents the film as a rousing period spectacle. It singles out Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s Amazon adventure as its appeal. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/jungle-cruise-review/5161911.article)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (70/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the film lively and enjoyable, praising its old-fashioned escapism despite its overstuffed, bumptious ride. He singles out the plucky chemistry between Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, while noting that the romance can feel like another special effect. [Read](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-jungle-cruise-review-emily-blunt-dwayne-johnson-1235023554/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so its critical verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jungle-cruise-movie-review-2021)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The review's verdict cannot be determined from the page content provided. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible material. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/movies/jungle-cruise-review.html)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (C+): The critic finds the film watchable but lacking in bigger thrills and inventive action. Blunt’s energetic performance is singled out for helping enliven a collection of familiar character clichés. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-rock-and-emily-blunt-cant-steer-disneys-jungle-crui-1847365832)
- **Time Out**, Olly Richards (3/5): Richards describes the film as a gently enjoyable ride. He singles out the extra thrill of Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s odd-couple pairing. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/jungle-cruise-2021)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith (3/5): Smith finds the adventure entertaining but exhausting because it tries to do too much. He praises Johnson and Blunt’s physical performances and the focused action set pieces. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/jungle-cruise-review/)
- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (C): Ehrlich finds the adventure diverting at times but ultimately too hollow and overlong to sustain its fun. He singles out Jesse Plemons’s performance as a standout amid the film’s unconvincing jungle setting. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/jungle-cruise-review-disney-movie-1234653808/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (2/4): Cole finds the film formulaic and its humor and character dynamics unconvincing, though it is streamlined. He praises Collet-Serra’s tactile visual details and clear action staging. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/jungle-cruise-review-dwayne-johnson-emily-blunt-disney/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (30/100, inferred): Chang finds the adventure derivative and unconvincing, despite capable leads and some enjoyable wordplay. He particularly faults its artificial-looking CGI, which leaves the film without real thrills or a sense of immersion. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-27/jungle-cruise-review-disney-dwayne-johnson-emily-blunt)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (30/100, inferred): Rooney finds the film overcomplicated and ultimately not good, despite its polished production. He praises the appealing leads’ chemistry and the sequence introducing Frank, which he says better connects the story to the ride. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/dwayne-johnson-and-emily-blunt-in-jungle-cruise-1234988064/)
- **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (25/100, inferred): The review finds the film watchable but overly derivative, with its stars doing most of the work. It praises Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s lively pairing while faulting the recycled adventure beats. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/jungle-cruise/)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (15/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film a disappointing, safety-first adventure that fails to deliver on its swashbuckling promise. He praises the energetic early sequences and the flashback showing how the supernatural villains were cursed. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-disneys-jungle-cruise-starring-the-rock.html)
- **NME** (85/100, inferred): The review finds the film an enjoyable, overstuffed summer adventure with a classic spirit and modern spectacle. It especially praises the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, while noting that a late twist threatens to capsize the plot. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/jungle-cruise-film-review-disney-3003936)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (3.5/5): Crow finds the film a delightful, old-school adventure, though its plot gets cluttered and some visual effects distract. He especially praises the appealing chemistry and performances of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/jungle-cruise-review-dwayne-johnson-emily-blunt/)
- **Digital Spy**, Gabriella Geisinger (60/100, inferred): The review finds the film entertaining but only adequate, held back by familiar adventure-movie beats and uneven visual effects. It singles out Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s chemistry and performances as the film’s biggest strength. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a37142040/jungle-cruise-review-disney-emily-blunt-dwayne-johnson/)
- **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (6/10): Spiegel finds Jungle Cruise a decent, solid summer adventure, but says its many borrowings make it disappointing beside the films that inspired it. He praises the chemistry between Johnson and Blunt, while criticizing the conspicuous CGI and underdeveloped representation. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/582869/jungle-cruise-review-a-decent-adventure-that-owes-a-lot-to-other-films/)
- **The Playlist**, Nick Allen (C-): The review finds the adventure shallow and increasingly weighed down by its CGI, despite its stars’ charms. It praises the early banter between Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, but faults the humor and underwhelming emotional beats. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/jungle-cruise-review-dwayne-johnson-emily-blunt-20210727/)
- **The Wrap** (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a breezy but ultimately forgettable diversion, weighed down by excessive CGI and wasted thematic potential. They praise Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s lively performances and the fun of their mismatched adventure pairing. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/jungle-cruise-film-review-dwayne-johnson-emily-blunt/)
- **Paste**, Jacob Oller (4.3/10): Oller finds the adventure mediocre, tonally confused, and inferior to the films it imitates. He singles out Jesse Plemons’s playful, menacing performance as the strongest work in the cast. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/disney/jungle-cruise-review)
- **The Ringer**, Adam Nayman (40/100, inferred): Nayman finds some wit and charm in the film but concludes that Disney’s franchise machinery overwhelms Collet-Serra’s distinctive touch. He praises the lively chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, while criticizing the clumsy mythology and checkbox-like attempts at political progressiveness. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2021/07/30/movies/jungle-cruise-review-dwayne-johnson-disney)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jack Hawkins (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film mediocre, with its promising old-fashioned adventure undermined by excessive fantasy and weak chemistry. MacGregor’s coming-out scene is singled out for a sensitive, thoughtful treatment of a familiar stereotype. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/jungle-cruise-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Jaume Collet-Serra
- **Director:** Jaume Collet-Serra
- **Screenplay:** John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Michael Green
- **Cinematography:** Flavio Martínez Labiano
- **Editor:** Joel Negron
- **Music:** James Newton Howard
- **Production design:** Jean-Vincent Puzos
- **Costume design:** Paco Delgado
- **Producer:** Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia
- **Cast:** Dwayne Johnson as Frank Wolff; Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton; Édgar Ramírez as Lope de Aguirre; Jack Whitehall as McGregor Houghton; Jesse Plemons as Prince Joachim; Paul Giamatti as Nilo Nemolato; Veronica Falcón as Trader Sam; Dani Rovira as Sancho
- **Runtime:** 2h 07m
- **First release (the US):** 24 July 2021
- **Genres:** Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
- **Budget:** $200 million
- **Box office:** $221 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJZ82pwwJqA

## Where to watch in Panama

- Disney+: streaming, uhd

*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.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie 2022: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Romancing the Stone* (1984), Fi1m 77: Sharper romantic sparring gives its jungle dangers something worth interrupting. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone.md)
- *The African Queen* (1951), Fi1m 84: A river journey where stubborn personalities make the boat feel smaller. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-african-queen.md)
- *Castle in the Sky* (1986), Fi1m 82: An animated treasure hunt with more wonder and properly worrying heights. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/castle-in-the-sky.md)
- *The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec* (2010): Another resourceful heroine pushes through period fantasy with little patience for fools.
- *The Mummy* (1999), Fi1m 71: Ancient trouble, nimble comedy and leads who make the romance count. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy.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/jungle-cruise