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Adventure drama

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) movie poster

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is a 2018 adventure drama starring Andy Serkis as Baloo, Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch. It is based on The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and was made on a reported $175 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2017. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
52%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
51
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genres
Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$175M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle About?

The premise of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle without spoilers, adapted from The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, Mowgli learns valuable lessons about survival from Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. As he grows older, he faces danger and must navigate the complexities of his surroundings while confronting the fearsome Shere Khan. Mowgli also begins to question his origins and search for answers about his human heritage in a land teeming with both beauty and peril.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • jungle book
  • one word title
  • showdown
  • final showdown
  • fight to the death
  • fight
  • chase
  • running
  • slow motion scene
  • coming of age
  • feral child
  • child's point of view
+38 more
  • banishment
  • hope
  • fear
  • danger
  • paranoia
  • panic
  • fish out of water
  • metaphor
  • survival
  • montage
  • training
  • training montage
  • no opening credits
  • prologue
  • little boy
  • baby
  • altered version of studio logo
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • fade to black
  • subjective camera
  • character's point of view camera shot
  • jungle
  • rainforest
  • heavy rain
  • revenge
  • near death experience
  • combat
  • rifle
  • hunter
  • hunting
  • tree
  • talking animal
  • part computer animation
  • law of the jungle
  • surrealism
  • council
  • murder
Where to watch

Where to Watch Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Cast & Characters

Andy Serkis leads the cast as Baloo, with Christian Bale as Bagheera and Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan.

Also Starring in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

· 5 more
Ratings

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

51 /100

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Echo Score Breakdown

The overall reception for Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is decidedly mixed, with distinct strengths in visual ambition and voice performances counterbalanced by narrative and stylistic inconsistencies. Critics and users alike commend the film’s detailed production design, impressive CGI, and weightier emotional moments, while others criticize its scattershot tone, lack of clear purpose, and uneven aesthetic integration. Despite moments of philosophical resonance and raw atmosphere, the film struggles to sustain coherent engagement throughout. Overall, it presents a moderately intriguing but uneven adaptation with limited broad appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    Art & Craft emerges as one of the film’s stronger elements, showcasing detailed production design and striking CGI sequences. In terms of cinematography, reviewers highlight immersive textures of flesh, blood, and mud that lend a tactile authenticity. However, occasional off-kilter visual choices and aesthetic contradictions disrupt immersion. The result is a visually ambitious presentation that, despite uneven patches, remains one of the adaptation’s more compelling achievements.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character & Emotion benefits from solid voice performances and a commitment to deeper thematic stakes. When it comes to character depth, the film delivers weightier portrayals of Kipling’s figures and moments of genuine gravitas. Emotional resonance is bolstered by reflections on family and acceptance, lending philosophical heft. Overall, the cast’s nuanced vocal work and the film’s thematic focus create an engaging emotional core that largely succeeds.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story & Flow proves the film’s most problematic area, marked by narrative incoherence and uneven pacing. In terms of plot coherence, the screenplay often feels scattershot and lacking clear purpose, as noted by critics and viewers alike. Pacing issues manifest in a rushed finale and unexplored subplots, undermining engagement. As a result, the adaptation struggles to sustain momentum and deliver a coherent, emotionally impactful journey.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory Experience offers mixed results, alternating between immersive soundscapes and disjointed visual style. When it comes to soundtrack and sound design, the film uses raw ambient elements that underscore its darker tone. Visual style benefits from rich textures and detailed CGI, but inconsistent animation choices and aesthetic mismatches create occasional alienation. Overall, the sensory palette shows ambition but lacks the cohesion needed for full immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch Factor remains limited due to the film’s uneven execution and heavy tone. In terms of lasting appeal, the intense darkness and philosophical moments may resonate with some viewers, but many find sparse memorable highlights. Replay value is hindered by narrative gaps and scarce emotional payoff, which reduce enjoyment on subsequent viewings. Consequently, the film offers modest incentive for repeat watches beyond its most dedicated fans.

Plot

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the heart of the jungle, Kaa (Cate Blanchett), an Indian python with prophetic abilities, observes Shere Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch), a Bengal tiger with a deep-seated grudge, as he breaks the jungle’s sacred laws by hunting down a family of humans. Only the young boy escapes his wrath. Bagheera (Christian Bale), a panther who is drawn to the commotion, intervenes, rescuing the boy, Mowgli (Rohan Chand), and taking him to the safety of a wolf family led by Nisha (Naomie Harris) and Vihaan (Eddie Marsan). However, Tabaqui (Tom Hollander), the cunning hyena servant of Shere Khan, discovers the boy before he can find refuge and is soon chased off.

Full summary

The whole story of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Awards & Nominations

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle earned 1 award nomination, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2017.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  5. Question 5: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the voice of Kaa in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

22 cars on screen, including the Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon and the Suzuki DR-Z 400.

All 22 cars
  • Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon Important role
  • Suzuki DR-Z 400 in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Suzuki DR-Z 400 Important role
  • 2017 Chrysler Pacifica in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Minor role
  • 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Minor role
Details

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Книга джунглей: Начало” and “Jungle Book: Origins”.

Also known as
  • Книга джунглей: Начало
  • Jungle Book: Origins
  • Mogli: O Livro da Selva
  • Jungle Book
  • Маугли: Легенда джунглей
  • Mogli - Entre Dois Mundos
  • Mowgli : la légende de la jungle
  • Mauglí - příběh džungle
  • Маугли
  • Mogli: Entre Dois Mundos
  • Mowgli: Legenda junglei
  • Мауґлі: Легенда джунглів
+22 more
  • Mowgli - Il figlio della giungla
  • מוגלי: אגדת הג'ונגל
  • Μόγλης: Ο Θρύλος της Ζούγκλας
  • Mogli: Legende des Dschungels
  • 모글리: 정글의 전설
  • Mowgli: La leyenda de la selva
  • เมาคลี ตำนานแห่งเจ้าป่า
  • Mowgli: Legenda dżungli
  • Maugli: A dzsungel legendája
  • Knjiga o džungli
  • Mogli: A Lenda da Selva
  • Књига о џунгли: Порекло
  • Mogli: Orman Çocuğu
  • Mowgli: Relatos del libro de la selva
  • 森林之子毛克利
  • Mauglis: Džiunglių legenda
  • موگلی افسانه جنگل
  • Mavgli: Deček iz džungle
  • Mowgli: Cậu Bé Rừng Xanh, მაუგლი: ჯუნგლების ლეგენდა
  • ماوكلي اسطورة الغابة
  • モーグリ: ジャングルの伝説
  • ئورمان ئوغلى موگىلى

Seen Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

FAQ

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast

Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle released?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle was released on November 29, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle stars Andy Serkis as Baloo, Christian Bale as Bagheera and Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

In the US, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle had a reported budget of $175 million.

How is Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle rated?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65% on TMDB and 2.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Is Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle based on a book?

Yes. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is adapted from The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling.

Was Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle nominated for any awards?

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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