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Adventure drama

Magellan (2026): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch

Magellan (2026) movie poster

Magellan is a 2026 adventure drama directed by Lav Diaz, starring Gael García Bernal as Fernão de Magalhães, Ângela Azevedo and Roger Alan Koza. It runs 2 hours 40 minutes. Critics gave it 89 on Metacritic. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Plex, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Echo Score
51
Metascore
89
Magellan (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 40m (160 min)
Director
Lav Diaz
Original language
Portuguese
Studio
AKP21
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Magellan About?

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

At the dawn of the modern era, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (Gael García Bernal) leads a fleet of ships on a daring expedition to Southeast Asia, seeking the first crossing of the massive Pacific Ocean. Upon reaching the Malay Archipelago, the sailors confront relentless storms, scorching heat and the awe‑inspiring yet unforgiving beauty of the islands, driving them to the brink of madness as they struggle to survive the high seas and fulfill Magellan’s ambitious quest.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Magellan

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Plex, 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

Magellan Cast & Characters

Gael García Bernal leads the cast as Fernão de Magalhães, with Ângela Azevedo as Beatriz Barbosa de Magalhães and Roger Alan Koza as D. Afonso de Albuquerque. Directed by Lav Diaz; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Magellan

· 16 more
Ratings

Magellan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Magellan 89 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

51 /100

Magellan Echo Score Breakdown

Magellan generates a sharply divided reception, with critics lauding its visual ambition and political depth while many viewers criticize its sluggish pacing and austere presentation. Major publications praise the film’s epic scale, one-shot cinematography, and nuanced post-colonial perspective, positioning it as an accessible entry to Lav Diaz’s oeuvre. In contrast, audience comments highlight tedious runtimes, lack of musical score, and opaque narrative, reducing its broader appeal. Consequently, the film resonates strongly with art-house enthusiasts but fails to engage general audiences.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    The visual and technical execution of Magellan draws both praise and criticism. Critics celebrate the one-shot compositions, richly hued palette, and epic scale that immerse the historic voyage. Viewers, however, note static framing, lack of inventive angles, and the absence of a musical score, calling the experience monotonous. Consequently, the film’s ambitious artistry is recognized but its austere style limits impact, yielding a moderate score.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    Character development and performances are a central point of contention. Critics offer limited commendation, mentioning occasional dramatic heft but largely remaining neutral on acting. In contrast, audience feedback repeatedly describes the portrayals as wooden, subpar, and lacking emotional depth, with insufficient dialogue to establish relationships. The cumulative impression is that the film’s characters fail to engage, resulting in a low character score.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative structure and pacing receive mixed evaluations. Critics commend the film’s political rigor, consequential storytelling, and a concise runtime that makes the epic subject approachable. Viewers, however, cite sluggish pacing, confusing chronology without prior historical knowledge, and a script that leaves motivations unclear, describing the experience as tedious. Overall, the story is seen as ambitious yet hampered by lethargic pacing, warranting a middling rating.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    The sensory experience hinges on striking visuals but a sparse auditory landscape. Critics praise the intoxicating imagery, vivid colors, and immersive natural settings, calling the visual style a high point. Users, however, note the complete absence of a musical score and minimal sound design, describing the atmosphere as monotonous. Thus, while the film excels visually, its auditory sparseness lowers the overall sensory impact, resulting in a moderate rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch potential is limited according to audience feedback. Critics suggest the film serves as an accessible introduction to Diaz’s style, implying some value in repeat viewings for enthusiasts. Contrarily, viewers describe the prolonged static scenes, lack of score, and tedious pacing as deterrents, stating they are unlikely to revisit the film. The overall assessment indicates modest replay appeal, reflected in a low rewatch score.

Plot

Magellan Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Magellan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1511, Gael García Bernal portrays Fernão de Magalhães as he takes part in the Capture of Malacca under Roger Alan Koza as D. Afonso de Albuquerque, enduring a wound in battle. During this campaign, he acquires a Cebuano slave named Enrique, Amado Arjay Babon, and brings him along on his return to Portugal. Magellan is cared for by Beatriz Barbosa, Ângela Azevedo, whom he eventually marries, while Enrique quietly clings to the worship of his native gods. Years pass, and the Portuguese crown, under King Manuel I, rejects Magellan’s bold proposal to circumnavigate the globe in search of a new trade route free from Spanish competition, a setback that propels him to seek support in Spain, where his plan is ultimately approved.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Magellan?

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
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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays Fernão de Magalhães (Magellan) in the 2026 film?

Details

Magellan Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Magallanes” and “Magalhães”.

Also known as
  • Magallanes
  • Magalhães
  • Magelanas
  • 麥哲倫之死
  • Fernão de Magalhães
  • 마젤란
  • 麦哲伦
  • Магеллан
  • Магелан
  • 麥哲倫
  • Μαγγελάνος

Seen Magellan?

FAQ

Magellan FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Magellan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Magellan?

Magellan runs 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes).

When was Magellan released?

Magellan was released on January 9, 2026.

Who directed Magellan?

Magellan was directed by Lav Diaz.

More films by Lav Diaz

Who is in the cast of Magellan?

Magellan stars Gael García Bernal as Fernão de Magalhães, Ângela Azevedo as Beatriz Barbosa de Magalhães and Roger Alan Koza as D. Afonso de Albuquerque, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch Magellan?

In the US, Magellan is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Plex and The Roku Channel and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Magellan rated?

Magellan has 89 on Metacritic.

Does Magellan have a post-credit scene?

No. Magellan has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Magellan in?

The original language of Magellan is Portuguese.

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