Spellbound (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Spellbound is a 2024 animated musical directed by Vicky Jenson, starring Rachel Zegler as Princess Ellian, Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Feature Animation at the Artios Awards 2025. Critics gave it 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Vicky Jenson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Ilion Animation Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Spellbound About?
The premise of Spellbound without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A young princess embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her family and kingdom. A mysterious spell has transformed her parents into monsters, and she must find a way to break the curse and restore order.
Spellbound Themes & Keywords
· 24 tags- divorce
- teenager
- cgi animation
- cg animation
- young
- computer animation
- 3d animation
- magic
- princess
- king
- queen
- wilhelm scream
+12 more Show fewer
- female protagonist
- singing
- giant monster
- father daughter relationship
- strong female lead
- body swap
- monster
- pop musical
- child protagonist
- enchanted
- mother daughter relationship
- gay
Spellbound Cast & Characters
Rachel Zegler leads the cast as Princess Ellian, with Javier Bardem as King Solon and Nicole Kidman as Queen Ellsmere. Directed by Vicky Jenson; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Vicky Jenson
-
Rachel Zegler as Princess Ellian -
Javier Bardem as King Solon -
Nicole Kidman as Queen Ellsmere -
John Lithgow as Bolinar
Also Starring in Spellbound
· 6 more- Jenifer Lewis Nazara
- Nathan Lane Luno - Oracle of the Moon
- Tituss Burgess Sunny - Oracle of the Sun
- Dee Bradley Baker Flink Dee
- John Ratzenberger Milo The Monster Handler
- Olga Merediz The General
More from Vicky Jenson
More films directed by Vicky Jenson, best-rated first: Shrek, Shark Tale, Post Grad and Club Oscar.
Spellbound Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Spellbound 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (53).
Spellbound Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Spellbound offers vibrant animation and a stirring soundtrack but demonstrates a middling narrative and limited replay value. Critics praised the film’s visual inventiveness and musical compositions for engaging family audiences, yet many noted derivative plot elements and pacing issues that undercut emotional depth. Acting performances received mixed feedback, with some voice talent elevating key moments while others felt forgettable. The result is a moderately enjoyable release with notable strengths in sensory design but a modest lasting impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 58
In terms of art and craft, Spellbound delivers bright, expressive visuals but shows frequent signs of derivation. The animation features vivid color schemes and unexpected camera angles that enhance key moments, yet many design elements recall familiar Disney templates. Production design offers whimsical details, but overall visual choices rarely feel entirely original.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers some heartfelt vocal work amid inconsistent character depth. Lead performances deliver emotional clarity in pivotal scenes, yet several secondary characters lack development beyond broad traits. Chemistry between the protagonists conveys genuine familial warmth, although deeper emotional stakes do not fully sustain throughout the narrative.
- Story & Flow 54
In terms of story and flow, Spellbound offers a thematically rich premise but uneven pacing and familiarity hinder engagement. The quest structure provides clear goals and occasional moments of tension, yet prolonged exposition and derivative plot turns reduce momentum. Original metaphors around family bonds resonate, but the overall progression struggles to feel consistently fresh.
- Sensory Experience 65
In terms of sensory experience, Spellbound shines with an evocative orchestral score and cohesive visual style. Musical compositions range from sweeping anthems to intimate ballads, supporting emotional peaks, though some songs lack distinct hooks. Sound design underscores magical effects effectively, while the color palette and texture work create a sumptuous viewing environment. Overall, the sensory elements are a key asset.
- Rewatch Factor 53
In terms of rewatch value, the movie offers memorable set pieces and musical highlights but struggles to sustain interest on subsequent viewings. Early dramatic twists and colorful action sequences invite revisiting, yet familiar story beats and uneven pacing diminish novelty. As a result, the film’s replay appeal is moderate rather than enduring.
-
IMDb 5.5 /10
9117 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 54 Metascore
User score 5.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
Spellbound Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Spellbound 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 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the enchanting realm of Lumbria, the courageous Princess Ellian faces an extraordinary dilemma that unfolds after her parents, King Solon and Queen Ellsmere, were tragically transformed into wild beasts amidst their perilous expedition through the ominous Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness. This unsettling turn of events has left the kingdom in turmoil for an entire year, forcing Ellian to shoulder immense responsibility as she strives to conceal her parents’ monstrous forms from the ever-watchful public eye.
Full summary
The whole story of Spellbound, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Spellbound Awards & Nominations
Spellbound earned 1 award nomination, including Feature Animation at the Artios Awards 2025.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Artios Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Animation
Spellbound Trailers & Videos
49 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 31 clips, 12 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser The Oracles Meet the Monsters
- Teaser Meet Flink
- Clip "The Way It Was Before" Lyric Video
How Well Do You Know Spellbound?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What transformation did Princess Ellian's parents undergo?
Cars in Spellbound
5 cars on screen, including the 2016 Ford Focus MkIII and the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis.
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2016 Ford Focus MkIII Minor role -
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis Minor role -
2006 Honda Civic Background role -
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Background role
Spellbound Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Split” and “스펠바운드”.
- Also known as
-
- Split
- 스펠바운드
- Spellbound - Brich den Zauber
- Ellian et le sortilège
- Spellbound - L'incantesimo
- 엘리안과 빛나는 마법 모험
- Hechizados
- エリアンと魔法の絆
- Zaklęci
- Büyülü Ailem
- Enfeitiçados
- Spellbound: Chuyến phiêu lưu phép thuật
+19 more Show fewer
- Зачаровані
- תחת כישוף
- O Feitiço
- Začarani
- Zakletí
- Fortryllelsen
- Lumous
- Το Μαγεμένο Βασίλειο
- 魔咒奇緣
- Ellian és a mágikus kötelék
- स्पेलबाउंड
- Trollbundet
- Vrăjiți
- 魔咒奇缘
- Förtrollningen
- ผจญภัยแดนต้องสาป
- Завороженные
- مهمة سحرية, მოჯადოებული
- Омагьосана
Seen Spellbound?
Movies Like Spellbound
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Disenchanted, Enchanted Princess and Strange Magic.
Articles About Spellbound
Our article about Spellbound: “Spellbound Review: Analyzing Reception, Critics' Opinions, and Fan Reactions (2024)”.
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Opinions
Spellbound FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Spellbound, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Spellbound?
Spellbound runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Spellbound released?
Spellbound was released on November 22, 2024.
Who directed Spellbound?
Spellbound was directed by Vicky Jenson.
More films by Vicky Jenson Who is in the cast of Spellbound?
Spellbound stars Rachel Zegler as Princess Ellian, Javier Bardem as King Solon and Nicole Kidman as Queen Ellsmere, among 10 credited actors.
How is Spellbound rated?
Spellbound has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 54 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Was Spellbound nominated for any awards?
Spellbound received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Spellbound have a post-credit scene?
No. Spellbound has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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