Ferdinand (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Ferdinand is a 2017 animated comedy directed by Carlos Saldanha, starring John Cena as Ferdinand, Colin H. Murphy and Bobby Cannavale. It is partly based on The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $296.1 million worldwide on a $111 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Carlos Saldanha
- Original language
-
English
- Budget
- $111M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ferdinand About?
The premise of Ferdinand without spoilers, adapted from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A spirited animated film follows Ferdinand, a bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting. When he escapes from a training camp meant to prepare bulls for fighting, he finds himself on an unexpected adventure. He joins forces with a group of unlikely animal friends, including a clever goat and some prickly hedgehogs, as they try to evade his former captors. Ferdinand must then confront the formidable El Primero and discover the strength in being gentle.
Ferdinand Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- bull
- bullfighting
- farm
- flowers
- village
- pasture
- countryside
- nonviolence
- goat
- hedgehog
- pacifist
- escape
+38 more Show fewer
- kindness
- courage
- rescue
- horse
- death of parent
- bully
- calf
- dog
- flower festival
- car chase
- train
- rabbit
- chase
- father daughter relationship
- talking animal
- champion
- cow
- udder
- spain
- spanish
- gentle giant
- camp
- competition
- fighter
- fight
- pacifism
- brawl
- muscle
- fear
- threat
- arena
- ring
- legend
- legendary
- death
- killing
- sand
- academy
Where to Watch Ferdinand
Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Ferdinand Cast & Characters
John Cena leads the cast as Ferdinand, with Colin H. Murphy as Young Ferdinand and Bobby Cannavale as Valiente's Father, Valiente. Directed by Carlos Saldanha; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Carlos Saldanha
-
John Cena as Ferdinand - Colin H. Murphy as Young Ferdinand
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Bobby Cannavale as Valiente's Father, Valiente -
Jack Gore as Young Valiente
Also Starring in Ferdinand
· 16 more- Jet Jurgensmeyer Young Guapo
- Nile Diaz Young Bones
- Jeremy Sisto Ferdinand's Father
- Jerrod Carmichael Paco
- Kate McKinnon Lupe
- Gina Rodriguez
- Daveed Diggs
- Gabriel Iglesias
- Miguel Ángel Silvestre
- David Tennant
- Katy Perry
- Anthony Anderson
- Flula Borg
- Raúl Esparza Moreno
- Daniela Bobadilla
- Boris Kodjoe
Ferdinand Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ferdinand 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Ferdinand Echo Score Breakdown
Ferdinand delivers an amiable animated experience that excels in its visual presentation and voice performances while remaining fairly conventional in its narrative. Critics and viewers alike praise its colorful animation and John Cena’s engaging vocal work. At the same time, many note the story’s predictability and occasional filler scenes that limit emotional impact. The film ultimately offers a pleasant family outing, though its narrative familiarity constrains its lasting distinction.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, Ferdinand’s animation and direction stand out for their vibrant color palette and smooth character movements. Several critics highlighted the film’s stylistic nods to the original illustrations and its polished visual design. While some observers found it lacking in unique visual flair, the overall production design and editing maintain an appealing and cohesive aesthetic throughout.
- Character & Emotion 72
When it comes to character and emotion, the voice cast provides a reliably engaging performance, with John Cena frequently cited for his warm and expressive delivery. Most reviewers appreciated the likable lead and supporting ensemble, though some felt deeper emotional resonance was overshadowed by lighthearted comic relief. On balance, the film achieves solid character appeal despite occasional superficiality in development.
- Story & Flow 55
Regarding story and flow, Ferdinand follows a conventional arc that many deemed predictable from outset to conclusion. Viewers acknowledged a heartfelt third act and relevant thematic moments about authenticity, but critics frequently described early sections as filler and noted adherence to a safe template. The pacing is generally steady, yet the film’s lack of originality and narrative surprises results in a middling engagement level.
- Sensory Experience 68
In sensory experience terms, Ferdinand delivers richly colored animation and detailed backgrounds that create an immersive Spanish setting. Sound design and effects are competently executed, although the musical score and soundtrack were often described as serviceable rather than memorable. Overall, the film offers a pleasing audiovisual package, with striking visuals somewhat overshadowing its unremarkable musical accompaniment.
- Rewatch Factor 60
As a rewatch factor, Ferdinand offers agreeable family entertainment that may appeal to younger audiences seeking comfort viewing. The film’s themes of gentleness and self-acceptance provide positive messages, yet its predictable plot and moderate emotional stakes limit repeat engagement for older viewers. While it may be revisited for its animation quality and voice work, its narrative familiarity reduces lasting replay value.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 70% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 52%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 58 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
102 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.1 /5
See on Movie Insider
Ferdinand Plot Summary
What happens in Ferdinand from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
This animated feature, inspired by a beloved children’s book, begins its story in Spain, where it unfolds at the Casa Del Toro, a bull-training ranch. Here, three young calves eagerly anticipate which older bull will be chosen to face a matador. Among them is the gentle Ferdinand, voiced by Colin H. Murphy, who tends to a delicate rose he has planted in the pasture. He endures mockery from his peers, particularly from Valiente (voiced by Jack Gore), alongside his companions Guapo (portrayed by Jet Jurgensmeyer) and Bones (voiced by Nile Diaz).
Full summary
The whole story of Ferdinand, scene by scene
Ferdinand Box Office & Budget
Ferdinand grossed $296.1 million worldwide on a $111 million budget, 2.7 times what it cost. $84.4 million came from the US and Canada and $211.7 million (71%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$296.1M
2.7× its budget
- US & Canada
- $84.4M
- International
- $211.7M
- Budget
- $111M
Ferdinand Awards & Nominations
Ferdinand was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 3 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Golden Globes 2018.
3 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 2018 2 nominations- Nominated Best Animated Feature Film
- Nominated Best Original Song
-
Oscars 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Animated Feature Film
Ferdinand Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers and 4 clips.
- Trailer Trailer
- Teaser Teaser Trailer
- Teaser Straight from the Horse's Mouth: Ferdinand
- Clip Filthy Hedgehogs
How Well Do You Know Ferdinand?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the ranch where Ferdinand grows up?
Cars in Ferdinand
5 cars on screen, including the 2012 Land-Rover LR4 and the Made For Movie Cartoon mongrel.
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2012 Land-Rover LR4 Important role -
Made For Movie Cartoon mongrel Minor role -
Marcopolo Torino GV Minor role -
Pegaso 1063 A Minor role
Ferdinand Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “The Story of Ferdinand” and “Olé: El viaje de Ferdinand”.
- Also known as
-
- The Story of Ferdinand
- Olé: El viaje de Ferdinand
- ΦΕΡΔΙΝΑΝΔΟΣ
- フェルディナンド
- Ferdinand - Geht STIERisch ab!
- Ferdinánd
- O Touro Ferdinando
- Φερδινάνδος
- Бикът Фердинанд
- Фердинанд
- פרדיננד
- فردیناند
+14 more Show fewer
- 萌牛費迪南
- Ferdinands
- 公牛历险记
- 페르디난드
- Fernando
- Ferdinando
- Tjuren Ferdinand
- Olé, el viaje de Ferdinand
- Bulius Ferdinandas
- Ferdinand Phiêu Lưu Ký
- 快D啦牛牛
- เฟอร์ดินานด์
- فيرديناند
- Bikec Ferdinand, ფერდინანდი
Seen Ferdinand?
Movies Like Ferdinand
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ferdinand the Bull, Ernest & Célestine and Fixed.
Ferdinand FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Ferdinand, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ferdinand?
Ferdinand runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was Ferdinand released?
Ferdinand was released on December 15, 2017.
Who directed Ferdinand?
Ferdinand was directed by Carlos Saldanha.
More films by Carlos Saldanha Who is in the cast of Ferdinand?
Ferdinand stars John Cena as Ferdinand, Colin H. Murphy as Young Ferdinand and Bobby Cannavale as Valiente's Father, Valiente, among 20 credited actors.
Where can I watch Ferdinand?
In the US, Ferdinand is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Ferdinand make at the box office?
Ferdinand grossed $296.1 million worldwide ($84.4 million domestic, $211.7 million international) on a budget of $111 million.
How is Ferdinand rated?
Ferdinand has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
Is Ferdinand based on a book?
Yes. Ferdinand is partly adapted from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson.
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