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Animated comedy

Missing Link (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Missing Link (2019) movie poster

Missing Link is a 2019 animated comedy directed by Chris Butler, starring Zach Galifianakis as Mr. Link, Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $26.6 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$26.6M
award won
1
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Missing Link (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Chris Butler
Original language
English
Budget
$100M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Missing Link About?

The premise of Missing Link without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A gentle giant, Mr. Link, a Sasquatch with a longing to learn about his family history, sets off on a thrilling journey. He teams up with a determined explorer and a spirited adventurer to find Shangri-La. Their quest takes them through perilous landscapes and encounters with unexpected obstacles, ultimately revealing profound truths about acceptance, heritage, and the meaning of belonging.

Missing Link Themes & Keywords

· 31 tags
  • explorer
  • yeti
  • stop motion animation
  • investigator
  • mythical creature
  • loch ness monster
  • sasquatch
  • shangri la
  • character name as title
  • bagpipes
  • camera
  • valet
+19 more
  • no opening credits
  • written by director
  • bigfoot
  • journey shown on map
  • washington state
  • ice bridge
  • barroom brawl
  • saloon
  • hanging from a rope
  • hanging by one's finger tips
  • england
  • blowing raspberry
  • falling from height
  • stop motion
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
  • wilhelm scream
  • buddy comedy
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Missing Link Cast & Characters

Zach Galifianakis leads the cast as Mr. Link, with Hugh Jackman as Sir Lionel Frost and Stephen Fry as Lord Piggot-Dunceby. Directed by Chris Butler; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Missing Link

· 6 more
From the director

More from Chris Butler

One more film directed by Chris Butler: ParaNorman.

Full filmography
Ratings

Missing Link Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Missing Link 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (55).

72 /100

Missing Link Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Missing Link delivers a visually striking experience tempered by narrative shortcomings. Reviewers commonly highlight the carefully crafted stop-motion environments and inventive creature designs, yet frequently note that the plot feels predictable and the characters lack consistent depth. While the film’s polished presentation and moments of genuine warmth earn it positive marks, uneven storytelling and modest emotional stakes limit its lasting resonance. Ultimately, the result is an engaging but not fully memorable adventure.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Missing Link excels with meticulous stop-motion direction and richly detailed production design. The film’s layouts feature elaborate set pieces and fluid camera movements that enhance immersion. Critics note spectacular environments and polished animation frames throughout its 90-minute runtime. The consistent attention to framing, model making, and editing underpins a cohesive visual presentation. This results in a standout showcase of artisanal filmmaking.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, the film presents a cast of charming figures but stops short of deep complexity. Observers praise the endearing chemistry within the central trio and moments of heartfelt connection, yet some note that most supporting roles feel underdeveloped and flat. Although Mr. Link’s gentle earnestness registers emotionally, character arcs overall remain somewhat limited. The result is a pleasant but not fully resonant ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative proves serviceable but largely predictable. Several reviewers find the progression straightforward and lacking in tension or surprising turns, while the pacing is measured yet occasionally plodding. Plot conveniences and familiar genre beats emerge repeatedly, diminishing engagement for viewers seeking originality. Ultimately, the story provides a coherent framework for the characters but offers limited narrative ambition.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the stop-motion visuals and creature design stand out as the film’s most striking elements. Audiences commend the vibrant color palette, meticulous texture work, and inventive set compositions that fill the screen. While commentary on the soundtrack and sound design is less prominent, the overall audio-visual cohesion supports the film’s adventurous tone. The result is an immersive sensory landscape chiefly driven by its visual achievements.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers moments of genuine charm but lacks the depth to reward multiple viewings. Viewers cite the delightful physical comedy and warm character interactions as enjoyable on subsequent watches, yet predictable plot points and limited thematic complexity reduce its lasting appeal. While audiences may revisit select sequences for its animation, the overall experience tends not to reveal new insights with each viewing.

Plot

Missing Link Plot Summary

What happens in Missing Link from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sir Lionel Frost, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, is an ambitious investigator of mythical creatures who longs to gain entry into an elite society led by his rival, Lord Piggot-Dunceby (Stephen Fry). His fortunes change when he receives a letter confirming the existence of a Sasquatch. In a bid to prove his findings and secure his place in the society, Frost embarks on a journey to the Pacific Northwest, where he encounters the creature, whom he names “Mr. Link” (Zach Galifianakis). To Frost’s surprise, Mr. Link reveals that he was the one who sent the letter, seeking help to locate his relatives, the Yetis, in the Himalayas.

Full summary

The whole story of Missing Link, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Missing Link Box Office & Budget

Missing Link grossed $26.6 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, 27% of what it cost. $16.6 million came from the US and Canada and $9.9 million (37%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$26.6M

27% of its budget back

US & Canada
$16.6M
International
$9.9M
Budget
$100M
US & Canada 63% Rest of the world 37%
Awards

Missing Link Awards & Nominations

Missing Link won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2020, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Missing Link Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers and 6 clips.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Clip "Give You My Word" Clip
  • Clip Behind the Bar Brawl in Missing Link
  • Clip "Rescue at Sea" Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Missing Link?

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

Who is the protagonist of 'Missing Link'?

Details

Missing Link Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Mr. Link” and “미싱 링크”.

Also known as
  • Mr. Link
  • 미싱 링크
  • Потерянное звено
  • Monsieur Link
  • 大冒險家
  • Link Perdido
  • Mysteriet om hr. Link
  • Mr. Link. El origen perdido
  • Търсенето на Линк
  • Містер Лінк: Загублена ланка еволюції
  • A hiányzó láncszem
  • Hľadá sa Yeti
+22 more
  • Mysteriet om herr Länk
  • Mysteriet Herr Link
  • Ο Ευγενικός Κύριος Λινκ
  • Gospodin Link: U potrazi za skrivenim gradom
  • 잃어버린 세계를 찾아서
  • Le Chaînon Manquant
  • Hledá se Yetti
  • Praziomek
  • Господин Линк
  • Mister Link - Ein fellig verrücktes Abenteuer
  • 遗失的环节
  • מיסטר לינק
  • Sr. Link
  • Gospod Link: V iskanju izgubljenega doma
  • Trūkstama grandis
  • Mister Link
  • حلقه گمشده
  • Bay Link: Kayıp Efsane
  • Huippujengi Himalajalla
  • Mr. Link: Jatorri galdua
  • Hành Trình Bí Ẩn
  • ミッシング・リンク 英国紳士と秘密の相棒

Seen Missing Link?

FAQ

Missing Link FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Missing Link, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Missing Link?

Missing Link runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Missing Link released?

Missing Link was released on April 12, 2019.

Who directed Missing Link?

Missing Link was directed by Chris Butler.

More films by Chris Butler

Who is in the cast of Missing Link?

Missing Link stars Zach Galifianakis as Mr. Link, Hugh Jackman as Sir Lionel Frost and Stephen Fry as Lord Piggot-Dunceby, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Missing Link make at the box office?

Missing Link grossed $26.6 million worldwide ($16.6 million domestic, $9.9 million international) on a budget of $100 million.

How is Missing Link rated?

Missing Link has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

What awards did Missing Link win?

Missing Link won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes 2020.

Does Missing Link have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Missing Link has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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