---
title: "The Adventures of Tintin"
year: 2011
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-tintin"
fi1m_id: "the-adventures-of-tintin"
imdb_id: "tt0983193"
tmdb_id: 17578
wikidata_id: "Q980041"
fi1m_score: 77
critics_score: 65
critics_reviews: 26
published: "2026-10-01T21:45:27.795769+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-01T21:45:37.341343+00:00"
region: "IE"
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."
---

# The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 1h 47m · IFCO PG · Adventure, Animation, Mystery

## Identity

The Adventures of Tintin

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-tintin
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-adventures-of-tintin
- **IMDb ID:** tt0983193
- **TMDB ID:** 17578
- **Wikidata ID:** Q980041
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983193/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/17578, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q980041

**Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 65 from 26 reviews

*In a sentence:* Captain Haddock is excellent company for a man we would not trust with the boat

> Steven Spielberg makes a nimble animated adventure, with clear, inventive action and a warmly unruly Captain Haddock. We recommend it for the chases, though Tintin himself is harder to care about.

## Synopsis

Tintin (Jamie Bell) and his dog Snowy become caught up in a treasure hunt, with Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) joining the adventure. Tintin pursues the mystery with a confidence that contrasts with the captain’s disorderly approach. Their search brings chases and physical danger, while Snowy takes part in the action alongside them. The characters also include Sakharine (Daniel Craig), Thomson (Nick Frost) and Thompson (Simon Pegg). Tintin wants to solve the mystery, but keeping the adventure under control becomes a task in itself.

## Review

*The Adventures of Tintin* is a good, busy adventure whose chief pleasure is watching Steven Spielberg organise a chase. He gives the animation a freedom that suits his appetite for movement, while keeping the action readable even when almost everything seems to be moving. We would happily spend its 107 minutes with Captain Haddock; Tintin himself takes a little more patience. The treasure mystery gets everyone going, but the film is much more interested in what happens on the way.

The extended chase is the clearest example of what works. The camera keeps travelling through the action without an apparent cut, yet we can still tell what Tintin is trying to do. We grinned at the sheer persistence of that chase, because each new complication remains easy to follow. Steven Spielberg makes the continuous movement feel like part of the joke, and that matters when physical danger seldom seems likely to stop his hero.

Janusz Kamiński uses light and shadow to give the animated spaces depth, and the detail is often more persuasive than the faces. The characters can look disconcertingly waxy; a face meant to invite sympathy sometimes has us studying its surface instead. That problem does not spoil the action, where posture and movement do much of the work, but it makes quieter encounters less welcoming. The settings reward attention even when the people standing in them seem slightly difficult to approach.

Jamie Bell gives Tintin the brisk confidence the adventure needs, though the character’s competence leaves little room for surprise. Andy Serkis has more to play with as Captain Haddock, whose comic disorder makes him welcome whenever the film threatens to become too tidy. Andy Serkis makes the captain funny without treating him as a nuisance, and gives the humour enough warmth to suggest a companion worth keeping. Their contrasting temperaments provide the film’s most dependable human interest, even through the peculiar faces.

The screenplay by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish supplies plenty of business, but the treasure hunt rarely makes us care much about the treasure. Tintin’s ability to weather almost anything also limits the suspense, however ingenious the next predicament may be. A little more uncertainty in the hero would have helped; resourcefulness is engaging until it begins to look guaranteed. The film can find another complication more readily than it can find a reason to pause with the people caught up in it.

Michael Kahn’s editing keeps the adventure brisk between the larger set pieces, although the pace sometimes leaves too little time to enjoy a joke before another event arrives. John Williams’s score encourages the bustle, with an eagerness that suits the playful action. It works, but offers little relief when the pictures are already doing quite enough. Both contributions keep things moving, sometimes through moments that would have benefited from a little more time.

Adventure films need not give every hero a troubled past, and we would not want this one halted for a solemn explanation of Tintin. They do need to make the possibility of failure felt, which is where Steven Spielberg’s confidence becomes a limitation. There is enough pleasure here to forgive that, provided an intricate chase can hold our attention without making us fear for anyone. Choose it for a light evening, rather than one that requires the adventure to feel dangerous.

*Fi1m score 77, published 1 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean positive on The Adventures of Tintin, with praise clustering around Spielberg’s inventive action sequences and the detailed animation. Supporters find a lively adaptation of Hergé’s comics, admiring the use of light, shadow and 3-D, as well as the elaborate chases. Andy Serkis’s Captain Haddock is a recurring favourite for his warmth and comedy, while Snowy also earns affection. Even several less enthusiastic critics acknowledge the technical skill.

The spread is wide, however, and the main disagreement concerns whether all that movement gives anyone reason to care. Reservations centre on Tintin’s apparent invulnerability, thin storytelling and action that feels mechanical rather than dangerous. The Guardian finds the waxy animation an obstacle to emotional involvement; The Wrap goes further, judging the action chaotic and poorly paced. For admirers, the spectacle supplies the fun; for detractors, it cannot compensate for characters who fail to engage.

## Straight answers

**Is The Adventures of Tintin worth watching?**

*The Adventures of Tintin* is worth watching for its inventive, clearly staged chases and warmly unruly Captain Haddock, and we score it 77 out of 100. We recommend it for a light adventure evening, though Tintin’s near-guaranteed competence limits the suspense and the waxy animated faces make quieter scenes harder to warm to.

**How long is The Adventures of Tintin, and what is it rated?**

*The Adventures of Tintin* runs 1h 47m and is rated PG by the IFCO in Ireland. It is an adventure and animation film.

**Where can I watch The Adventures of Tintin in Ireland?**

*The Adventures of Tintin* is available to rent from Apple TV from €3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does The Adventures of Tintin compare to Raiders of the Lost Ark?**

*The Adventures of Tintin* offers a lighter, less suspenseful adventure than [*Raiders of the Lost Ark*](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark), which we recommend more strongly for its excitement and battered but capable hero. Both make complicated action easy to follow and find room for jokes, but Tintin’s animated chases suit a playful evening; *Raiders* has rougher violence and makes the danger felt.

**What should I watch after The Adventures of Tintin?**

After *The Adventures of Tintin*, try [*Raiders of the Lost Ark*](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark) (1981, Fi1m 93): A resourceful adventurer, clearly staged danger and jokes that survive the running. Then [*The Castle of Cagliostro*](https://film.one/film/the-castle-of-cagliostro) (1979, Fi1m 80): A resourceful thief and nimble animated action, with more room for tenderness; and [*The General*](https://film.one/film/the-general) (1926, Fi1m 91): Elaborate pursuit, precise physical comedy and a useful reminder that clear action lasts.

### Reviews we read (26)

- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (95/100, inferred): Edelstein gives the film an ecstatic verdict, saying Spielberg’s animation turns him into a slapstick-action wizard. He especially praises the constantly moving camera and the elaborate, exhilarating action sequences. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2011/12/movie-review-the-bigger-better-adventures-of-tintin.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (90/100, inferred): Turan finds the film a delightful, high-spirited adventure and a great deal of fun. He especially praises how the animation and 3-D bring Hergé’s vivid visual style to life. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-dec-21-la-et-adventures-of-tintin-20111221-story.html)
- **Variety**, Leslie Felperin (85/100, inferred): Felperin finds it a thrilling, faithful adventure that should appeal beyond Tintin devotees. She particularly praises the richly detailed animation and its artful use of light and shadow. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-1117946357/)
- **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (B+): Robinson finds the film an effective, entertaining Spielberg action adventure despite its occasional uncanny visuals and an underwhelming climax. She praises the clearly staged setpieces and the lively contrast between Tintin and Captain Haddock. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-adventures-of-tintin-1798170925)
- **Empire**, Ian Nathan (82/100, inferred): Nathan gives the film a strongly positive verdict, praising its joyful, faithful translation of Hergé’s world into kinetic digital adventure. He especially singles out the visually inventive sea-battle sequence and Andy Serkis’s warm, comic Captain Haddock. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/adventures-tintin-secret-unicorn-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Jordan Mintzer (80/100, inferred): Mintzer finds the film a successful, visually dazzling adventure that revives Spielberg’s old-school swashbuckling style. He especially praises the inventive action sequences and Andy Serkis’s memorable Captain Haddock, while noting that Tintin himself can feel less interesting than his dog. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/adventures-tintin-secret-unicorn-film-249116/)
- **Time Out**, Keith Uhlich (4/5): The review presents the film as breathlessly entertaining. It singles out its 3-D motion-capture animation as part of that appeal. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-adventures-of-tintin)
- **Slant Magazine**, Bill Weber (3/4): Weber finds the film a sprightly, entertaining adventure, though its treasure quest lacks substance and the ending feels abrupt. He especially praises the kinetic action sequences and their polished, lively animation. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-adventures-of-tintin/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page is identifiable as a review of the 2011 film, but its review text is unavailable. I cannot verify the critic’s verdict or what the review singles out for praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-adventures-of-tintin-2011)
- **Screen Daily**, Mike Goodridge (64/100, inferred): The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no readable praise or complaint to single out. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/-the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn/5033372.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic's verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/movies/the-adventures-of-tintin-by-steven-spielberg-review.html)
- **Total Film**, Matthew Leyland (3/5): Leyland finds the film overstuffed and short on danger, though not among Spielberg’s biggest failures. He praises a dizzying continuous-shot chase sequence and Snowy’s comic charm. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Alison Willmore (C): Willmore finds the film technically impressive but hollow, with spectacle replacing joy. She praises the animation’s carefully constructed settings, while faulting the action for feeling like choreography without consequence. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-the-adventures-of-tintin-is-all-hollow-spectacle-no-joy-254868/)
- **Sight and Sound**, David Jays (40/100, inferred): Jays finds the film visually sumptuous and energetically staged, but not fully gripping. He praises the richly modelled animation while faulting Tintin’s invulnerability and the unsatisfying ending. [Read](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/reviews/releases/adventures-of-tintin-secret-of-the-unicorn.php)
- **The Guardian**, Henry Barnes (35/100, inferred): Barnes finds the film fast-paced and well cast, but says its animation makes it hard to care about Tintin. He singles out the waxy animation as the main flaw. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/series/reelreview+the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (35/100, inferred): Brody finds the film a dazzling technical virtuoso performance that nevertheless feels emotionally hollow. He praises its motion-capture animation for making the characters tactile and human, while wishing the film had more strangeness and thrills. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/beneath-the-skin-of-tintin)
- **Evening Standard** (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film disappointing despite a promising start, ultimately calling its action bland and its storytelling conservative. They praise the performance-capture animation and single out Captain Haddock’s characterization and Andy Serkis’s performance as highlights. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-review-7427319.html)
- **Collider**, Andre Dellamorte (90/100, inferred): The critic calls the film massively entertaining and one of 2011’s most undervalued movies. He especially praises Spielberg’s inventive, technically ambitious action filmmaking. [Read](https://collider.com/the-adventures-of-tintin-blu-ray-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (85/100, inferred): The critic calls the film top-notch entertainment and a lively, visually sophisticated adventure. They single out Spielberg’s inventive action sequences and Andy Serkis’s performance as Captain Haddock for praise. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a345781/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Paul Logan (85/100, inferred): Logan finds the film a charming, entertaining adventure and a welcome return to form for Spielberg. He especially praises its spectacular set pieces and lively motion-capture performances, singling out Snowy for the best comic and action moments. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-film-review-by-paul-logan)
- **Paste**, Michael Burgin (9.1): Burgin praises the film as a successful, energetic adaptation that captures the spirit of Hergé’s comics. He singles out its meticulous craft, strong voice performances, and effective use of 3D and motion capture. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-adventures-of-tintin)
- **Den of Geek**, James Peaty (4/5): Peaty considers the film an exuberant return to form for Spielberg, despite minor pacing issues. He especially praises Andy Serkis’s Captain Haddock and the film’s visually impressive motion-capture work. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-review/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Ben Mortimer (3/5): The critic finds the film entertaining and technically impressive, but ultimately mechanical and less effective than it should be. They praise the spectacular animated action while criticizing the characters’ failure to inspire emotional connection. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn-review/)
- **The Skinny**, Keir Roper-Caldbeck (★★★): Roper-Caldbeck finds the film visually warm and often thrilling, but says its elaborate CGI sequences can feel heartless. He singles out the storm-battered plane sequence as especially exciting and funny. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn)
- **The Wrap** (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a muddled, disappointing misfire. They single out the uncanny character animation and chaotic, poorly paced action as major flaws. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/tintin-should-have-stayed-two-dimensional-33822/)
- **The Playlist** (15/100, inferred): The headline gives a strongly negative verdict, describing the film as hollow spectacle without joy. It faults the spectacle for feeling empty rather than identifying a redeeming element. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-the-adventures-of-tintin-is-all-hollow-spectacle-no-joy-20111221/)

## Details

- **Director:** Steven Spielberg
- **Director:** Steven Spielberg
- **Screenplay:** Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Steven Moffat
- **Cinematography:** Janusz Kamiński
- **Editor:** Michael Kahn
- **Music:** John Williams
- **Producer:** Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Kathleen Kennedy
- **Cast:** Jamie Bell as Tintin (voice); Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock / Sir Francis Haddock (voice); Daniel Craig as Sakharine / Red Rackham (voice); Nick Frost as Thomson (voice); Simon Pegg as Thompson (voice); Daniel Mays as Allan /  Pirate Flunky #1 (voice); Gad Elmaleh as Ben Salaad (voice); Toby Jones as Silk (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 47m
- **Certificate (IFCO):** PG
- **Release (Ireland):** 26 October 2011
- **Genres:** Adventure, Animation, Mystery
- **Budget:** $130 million
- **Box office:** $374 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTnCE_SaU38

## Where to watch in Ireland

- Apple TV: rent €3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy €4.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-01.*

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

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2012: Best Original Score (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2011: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2011: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Fi1m 93: A resourceful adventurer, clearly staged danger and jokes that survive the running. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md)
- *The Castle of Cagliostro* (1979), Fi1m 80: A resourceful thief and nimble animated action, with more room for tenderness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-castle-of-cagliostro.md)
- *The Thief of Bagdad* (1940): For more adventure built around impossible sights, with time to enjoy them.
- *April and the Extraordinary World* (2015): A young scientist, busy machinery and an animated adventure with its own peculiar rules.
- *The General* (1926), Fi1m 91: Elaborate pursuit, precise physical comedy and a useful reminder that clear action lasts. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-general.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/the-adventures-of-tintin