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Adventure fantasy film

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) movie poster

Kubo and the Two Strings is a 2016 adventure fantasy film directed by Travis Knight, starring Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson and Brenda Vaccaro. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $76.2 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$76.2M
award won
1
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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Travis Knight
Genres
Adventure , Fantasy , Animation , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Focus Features
Budget
$60M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Kubo and the Two Strings About?

The premise of Kubo and the Two Strings without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A gifted young storyteller named Kubo must face dark forces and confront a painful past when a vengeful spirit from his childhood resurfaces. Accompanied by a mischievous monkey and a determined beetle, he sets out on a perilous journey. His quest involves rescuing his family, discovering the secrets surrounding his father's disappearance, and ultimately embracing his destiny as a skilled warrior. The film combines enchanting animation with a compelling narrative.

Kubo and the Two Strings Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • stop motion
  • samurai
  • mother son relationship
  • magic
  • storytelling
  • animated origami
  • japan
  • snow adventure
  • storm
  • origami
  • moon
  • forgiveness
+38 more
  • 3 dimensional
  • origami mosquito
  • weapon
  • origami bird
  • shamisen
  • bladed weapon
  • grandfather versus grandson
  • bow the weapon
  • cave
  • old woman
  • origami samurai
  • sister versus sister
  • storyteller
  • one eyed boy
  • soup
  • paper
  • samisen
  • talking animal
  • giant skeleton
  • snow monkey
  • japanese macaque
  • projectile weapon
  • 2010s
  • reference to gyro gearloose
  • reference to little helper
  • dead animal
  • whale
  • paper folding
  • voice over narration
  • twins
  • eye patch
  • boy wears an eye patch
  • amnesia
  • father son relationship
  • sister sister relationship
  • evil sister
  • sword fight
  • transformation
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Cast & crew

Kubo and the Two Strings Cast

Charlize Theron leads the cast, with Art Parkinson and Brenda Vaccaro. Directed by Travis Knight; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Kubo and the Two Strings

· 4 more
From the director

More from Travis Knight

More films directed by Travis Knight, best-rated first: Bumblebee and Masters of the Universe.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kubo and the Two Strings Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kubo and the Two Strings 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

Plot

Kubo and the Two Strings Plot Summary

What happens in Kubo and the Two Strings from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 7-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A young woman, adorned with a pack featuring a beetle emblem, embarks on a small boat across tumultuous seas. A boy’s voice warns the observer to remain attentive, for what follows is a tale that must not be missed. Suddenly, a massive wave looms before her, but with a deft strum of her shamisen, she magically parts the water, allowing her passage. Yet, just as land comes into view, a rogue wave engulfs her vessel, capsizing it. Striking her head against a submerged rock, she is washed ashore. Awakening to a cry from her pack, she tenderly comforts her child, Kubo, who is left with just one eye.

Full summary

The whole story of Kubo and the Two Strings, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Kubo and the Two Strings Box Office & Budget

Kubo and the Two Strings grossed $76.2 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $48 million came from the US and Canada and $28.2 million (37%) from the rest of the world.

2016 box office

Worldwide gross

$76.2M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$48M
International
$28.2M
Budget
$60M
US & Canada 63% Rest of the world 37%
Awards

Kubo and the Two Strings Awards & Nominations

Kubo and the Two Strings won 1 award from 6 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 2017, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win6 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Kubo and the Two Strings Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.

Theatrical Trailer
  • Clip "The Legend of Hanzo" Clip
  • Clip "Messing with Monkey" Clip
  • Clip "Kubo and Mother" Clip
  • Clip ”We’ve Been Looking for You, Kubo” Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kubo and the Two Strings?

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
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Kubo's mother?
Details

Kubo and the Two Strings Also Known As

51 alternative titles, including “Kubo en het Magische Harnas” and “久保与二弦琴”.

Also known as
  • Kubo en het Magische Harnas
  • 久保与二弦琴
  • Kubo en het Magische Zwaard
  • Ο Κουμπο και οι Δυο Χορδες
  • O Koumpo kai oi dyo hordes
  • O Koubo kai oi dyo hordes
  • O Koumpo kai oi dio hordes
  • O Koumpo kai oi dyo xordes
  • O Koubo kai oi dyo xordes
  • O Koympo kai oi dyo hordes
  • O Koympo kai oi dyo xordes
  • O Koybo kai oi dyo xordes
+39 more
  • 捉妖敢死隊
  • קובו: סמוראי סטייל
  • Kubo y las dos cuerdas mágicas
  • Kubo et l'armure magique
  • קובו: אגדה של סמוראי
  • Kubo és a varázshúrok
  • Ο Κούμπο και οι Δύο Χορδές
  • Kubo - Der tapfere Samurai
  • Кубо і легенда самурая
  • Kubo a kouzelný meč
  • Kubo och de två strängarna
  • Кубо. Легенда о самурае
  • Kubo e as Cordas Mágicas
  • Kubo ve Sihirli Telleri
  • Kubo - Den Modige Samurai
  • Kubo et l'épée magique
  • Kubo e la spada magica
  • 쿠보와 전설의 악기
  • 魔弦传说
  • 酷寶：魔弦傳說
  • Kubo și lăuta magică
  • Kubo y La Búsqueda del Samurái
  • Kubo i dwie struny
  • Kubo e as Duas Cordas
  • Кубо и чаробни мач
  • คูโบ้ และพิณมหัศจรรย์
  • Кубо и пътят на самурая
  • Kubo a kúzelný meč
  • Kubo ir stebuklingas kardas
  • Kubo ja kaks pillikeelt
  • Kubo ja samuraiseikkailu
  • Kubo i čarobni mač
  • Kubo og det magiske instrumentet
  • Kubo in dve struni
  • Kubo và Sứ Mệnh Samurai
  • کوبو و دو تار
  • Kubo un divas stīgas
  • KUBO／クボ 二本の弦の秘密
  • كوبو والسلسلتان, კუბო ლეგენდა სამურაიზე

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From the blog

Articles About Kubo and the Two Strings

4 articles about Kubo and the Two Strings. The latest: “The Evolution of Stop Motion Animation in Film”.

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FAQ

Kubo and the Two Strings FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Kubo and the Two Strings, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kubo and the Two Strings?

Kubo and the Two Strings runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Kubo and the Two Strings released?

Kubo and the Two Strings was released on August 19, 2016.

Who directed Kubo and the Two Strings?

Kubo and the Two Strings was directed by Travis Knight.

More films by Travis Knight

Who is in the cast of Kubo and the Two Strings?

Kubo and the Two Strings stars Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson and Brenda Vaccaro, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Kubo and the Two Strings make at the box office?

Kubo and the Two Strings grossed $76.2 million worldwide ($48 million domestic, $28.2 million international) on a budget of $60 million.

How is Kubo and the Two Strings rated?

Kubo and the Two Strings has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

What awards did Kubo and the Two Strings win?

Kubo and the Two Strings won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Animated Film at the BAFTA 2017.

Does Kubo and the Two Strings have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Kubo and the Two Strings has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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