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Animated comedy

Luca (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Luca (2021) movie poster

Luca is a 2021 animated comedy directed by Enrico Casarosa, starring Jacob Tremblay as Luca Paguro, Sandy Martin and Maya Rudolph. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $51.1 million worldwide on a $200 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Stream it on Disney Plus and fuboTV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$51.1M
award nominations
8
Luca (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Enrico Casarosa
Original language
English
Budget
$200M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Luca About?

The premise of Luca without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a summer set in the beautiful Italian Riviera, a young boy named Luca experiences laughter, freedom, and discovery. He forms a strong friendship with Alberto, but their adventures are complicated by a secret: they are sea monsters hiding their true identities from the human residents above. They must navigate the challenges of friendship and self-acceptance while trying to keep their aquatic nature concealed.

Luca Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship
  • coming of age
  • shapeshifter
  • ocean
  • friendship between boys
  • cgi animation
  • computer animation
  • sea monster
  • one word title
  • italy
  • italian riviera
  • seaside town
+38 more
  • water
  • underwater scene
  • sea
  • monster
  • pixar
  • disguise
  • italian
  • best friend
  • friend
  • aquatic humanoid
  • shapeshifting
  • disguised as a human
  • human
  • vespa
  • cat
  • italian culture
  • fish
  • father son relationship
  • male protagonist
  • directorial debut
  • bicycle
  • family relationships
  • fictional city
  • scooter
  • train
  • race
  • teenage girl
  • italian stereotype
  • interspecies friendship
  • fantasy sequence
  • coastal town
  • fish out of water
  • male female friendship
  • training montage
  • male friendship
  • small town
  • true identity revealed
  • boy girl friendship
Where to watch

Where to Watch Luca

Stream it on Disney Plus and fuboTV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Luca Cast & Characters

Jacob Tremblay leads the cast as Luca Paguro, with Sandy Martin as Grandma Paguro and Maya Rudolph as Daniela Paguro. Directed by Enrico Casarosa; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Luca

· 7 more
Ratings

Luca Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Luca 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (75).

83 /100

Luca Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impression, Luca presents a warm, modestly ambitious animated feature that leans heavily on its visual charm and heartfelt themes. Critics note its enchanting scenery and appealing message, while many viewers highlight the pleasant character dynamics and pleasant soundtrack. Some criticism points to a relatively simple narrative and lack of groundbreaking ideas. The consensus is that the film succeeds as a pleasant, family‑friendly experience without reaching the heights of Pixar’s most celebrated titles. Accordingly, it earns a solid, above‑average rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of cinematography and production design, Luca excels with bright, sun‑drenched palettes and fluid animation that capture the Italian Riviera’s atmosphere. Critics remark on the film’s visual enchantment and atmospheric detail, while users frequently praise the gorgeous, immaculate animation and seamless character movement. Some note a lack of daring visual invention compared to earlier Pixar works, but overall the craftsmanship is deemed strong and appealing.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character depth and emotional resonance, Luca delivers nuanced performances that convey friendship and youthful curiosity. Reviewers highlight the genuine feeling in the protagonists’ bond and commend the voice cast for adding warmth and subtlety. A few critics suggest the emotional arcs are straightforward and lack the complexity of earlier Pixar ensembles, yet the consensus points to a pleasant, relatable portrayal that supports the film’s central themes.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Regarding plot cohesion and originality, Luca follows a familiar coming‑of‑age structure that emphasizes self‑discovery and friendship. Critics acknowledge the story’s heartfelt message but note its simplicity and occasional reliance on well‑trodden tropes. User commentary frequently praises the effective pacing and the modest yet engaging narrative arc. Overall, the storyline is viewed as competent and enjoyable, though not particularly innovative within the studio’s catalogue.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    The auditory and visual sensory experience in Luca is marked by a lively soundtrack, crisp sound design, and a cohesive color scheme that reinforces the seaside setting. Critics commend the film’s atmospheric detail and visual dazzle, while some suggest it does not push sensory boundaries. Audience feedback consistently mentions the immersive music and striking animation, resulting in a sensory presentation that is pleasant and well‑integrated.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Assessing rewatch value, Luca offers a comforting charm that invites repeated viewings, especially for families and younger audiences. Critics note its pleasant nature but question its lasting impact compared to Pixar’s iconic titles. Many users, however, report multiple viewings, highlighting the film’s endearing characters and soothing atmosphere as reasons to return. Consequently, the film is regarded as possessing solid replay appeal without achieving classic status.

Plot

Luca Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Luca 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Luca Paguro is a young sea monster who resides off the beautiful coast of Portorosso, Italy, spending his days tending to a lively school of fish. Despite the safety concerns expressed by his overprotective parents, Daniela Paguro and Lorenzo Paguro, who fear the dangers of the surface world, Luca finds himself yearning for adventure beyond his underwater home. One fateful day, he crosses paths with Alberto Scorfano, another sea creature who passionately shares tales of his escapades on land. Alberto entices Luca to join him at his secluded hideout on a nearby island, claiming to live there with his father.

Full summary

The whole story of Luca, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Luca Box Office & Budget

Luca grossed $51.1 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, 26% of what it cost. $1.3 million came from the US and Canada and $49.8 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$51.1M

26% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.3M
International
$49.8M
Budget
$200M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Awards

Luca Awards & Nominations

Luca was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 8 nominations come from 7 ceremonies, the most at the Saturn Awards 2022.

8 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Luca Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers and 3 featurettes.

Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Featurette Friendship Featurette | Disney and Pixar's Luca | Disney+
  • Featurette BFI At Home | Looking at Luca: Pixar’s nod to Fellini and Ghibli
  • Featurette ‘Luca’ Director Enrico Casarosa Breaks Down a Scene | 94th Oscars
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Luca?

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 does Luca discover that piques his curiosity about the human world?

Cars

Cars in Luca

4 cars on screen, including the Piaggio Vespa and the Piaggio Vespa.

  • Piaggio Vespa in Luca Piaggio Vespa Minor role
  • Piaggio Vespa in Luca Piaggio Vespa Minor role
  • Fiat 500 in Luca Fiat 500 Background role
  • Piaggio Ape in Luca Piaggio Ape Background role
Details

Luca Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “卢卡” and “盛夏友晴天”.

Also known as
  • 卢卡
  • 盛夏友晴天
  • 루카
  • ลูก้า
  • Mùa Hè Của Luca
  • Лука
  • Pixar Film Fest: Luca
  • 夏日友晴天
  • あの夏のルカ
  • לוקה
  • Luka
  • Λούκα
+5 more
  • 路卡的夏天
  • لوكا
  • Lukas
  • لوکا, ლუკა
  • Лятното приключение на Лука

Seen Luca?

FAQ

Luca FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Luca, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Luca?

Luca runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Luca released?

Luca was released on June 18, 2021.

Who directed Luca?

Luca was directed by Enrico Casarosa.

More films by Enrico Casarosa

Who is in the cast of Luca?

Luca stars Jacob Tremblay as Luca Paguro, Sandy Martin as Grandma Paguro and Maya Rudolph as Daniela Paguro, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Luca?

In the US, Luca is streaming on Disney Plus and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Luca make at the box office?

Luca grossed $51.1 million worldwide ($1.3 million domestic, $49.8 million international) on a budget of $200 million.

How is Luca rated?

Luca has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Was Luca nominated for any awards?

Luca received 8 nominations across 7 ceremonies.

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