Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Documentary

Pandas (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Pandas (2018) movie poster

Pandas is a 2018 documentary directed by David Douglas and Drew Fellman, starring Kristen Bell, Ben Kilham and Jacob Owens. It runs 40 minutes and earned $7.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$7.8M
Echo Score
80
Loading streaming availability…
Pandas (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
40 min
Directors
David Douglas and Drew Fellman
Genres
Documentary , Short
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pandas About?

The premise of Pandas without spoilers.

In Sichuan province, China, a dedicated researcher initiates a pioneering effort to breed Giant Pandas with the goal of reintroducing them into their natural habitat. Partnering with an American biologist and a scientist from Inner Mongolia, she undertakes a challenging and ultimately rewarding journey. The collaboration fosters personal growth and a deeper understanding of panda conservation, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in protecting this beloved species.

Pandas Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • medical mask
  • dental mask
  • surgical mask
  • surgical gown
  • medical gown
  • panda bear
  • animal
  • panda
  • bear
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Pandas Cast

Kristen Bell leads the cast, with Ben Kilham and Jacob Owens. Directed by David Douglas and Drew Fellman; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pandas

· 1 more
From the directors

More from David Douglas and Drew Fellman

More films directed by David Douglas and Drew Fellman: Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, Submarines, For the Cause and Wolves.

Ratings

Pandas Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pandas 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

80 /100

Pandas Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Pandas excels through its vibrant environmental advocacy despite some narrative brevity. The documentary’s visual presentation and immersive sound design receive consistent acclaim, though a few viewers note underdevelopment in story progression. Kristen Bell’s engaging narration adds affectionate warmth but cannot entirely offset the film’s concise runtime and unresolved narrative climax. The pacing maintains audience interest, while the educational content sustains informative appeal. Ultimately, the film’s visual strengths and conservation messaging outweigh its structural limitations.

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 art and craft, Pandas delivers a compelling visual narrative. The cinematography captures the bears’ natural behaviors with an engaging clarity, and the production design benefits from the IMAX 3-D format’s immersive framing. Editing transitions between scenes smoothly, fostering coherence. Overall, the film’s visual presentation commands attention through its polished execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary benefits from Kristen Bell’s expressive narration that imbues the pandas with gentle personification. The emotional resonance is elevated by affectionate vocal tones, lending warmth to the conservation message. However, the film provides limited depth in individual story arcs and relies on broad portrayals. Overall, the emotional engagement remains charming but restrained.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In narrative terms, the story and flow of Pandas present a clear conservation focus but resolve unevenly. The pacing is brisk and maintains engagement, yet the central storyline culminates without revealing the bears’ final outcome, leaving viewers seeking closure. Originality emerges from framing ecological themes through a single animal’s journey, but plot coherence suffers from its brevity. Ultimately, the documentary’s structural conciseness both aids focus and limits narrative satisfaction.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, Pandas excels with its rich sound design and evocative soundtrack that complement the immersive visuals. The score enhances emotional beats without overpowering the natural ambiance, and sound mixing ensures clarity in both narration and environmental audio. Visually, the polished color grading and dynamic framing leverage IMAX technology for striking close-ups. Altogether, the sensory presentation immerses the audience in the pandas’ habitat effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When considering rewatch value, Pandas offers modest appeal for subsequent viewings. The concise 40-minute runtime and focused subject matter deliver a concise educational experience, though limited narrative depth may reduce long-term replay interest. The film’s visual and auditory strengths retain charm, encouraging appreciation of the pandas’ behaviors on repeat viewings. Ultimately, the documentary’s lasting appeal is anchored in its immersive presentation rather than evolving narrative discovery.

Box office

Pandas Box Office

Pandas grossed $7.8 million worldwide. $7.6 million came from the US and Canada and $247,963 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.8M

US & Canada
$7.6M
International
$248K
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Videos

Pandas Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Pandas.

PANDAS - OFFICIAL TRAILER [HD]

Seen Pandas?

FAQ

Pandas FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Pandas?

Pandas runs 40 minutes.

When was Pandas released?

Pandas was released on April 6, 2018.

Who directed Pandas?

Pandas was directed by David Douglas and Drew Fellman.

More films by David Douglas

Who is in the cast of Pandas?

Pandas stars Kristen Bell, Ben Kilham and Jacob Owens, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Pandas make at the box office?

Pandas grossed $7.8 million worldwide ($7.6 million domestic, $247,963 international).

How is Pandas rated?

Pandas has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 82% on TMDB.

Does Pandas have a post-credit scene?

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

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app