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Family documentary

The Elephant Queen (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Elephant Queen (2019) movie poster

The Elephant Queen is a 2019 family documentary directed by Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $713,957 worldwide. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$714K
Echo Score
80
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The Elephant Queen (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Directors
Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone
Genres
Family , Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Elephant Queen About?

The premise of The Elephant Queen without spoilers.

Following a matriarch named Athena, this film chronicles an extraordinary journey across the African savanna. Athena leads her family on a challenging migration, facing dangerous landscapes and powerful predators. She strives to safeguard her loved ones and uphold the traditions passed down through generations, demonstrating incredible strength and determination in the face of adversity.

The Elephant Queen Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • elephant
  • baby elephant
  • nature documentary
  • elephant herd
  • african savannah
  • africa
  • elephant protagonist
  • mother instinct
  • perilous journey
  • narrator
  • antelope
  • zebra
+1 more
  • animal in title
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Cast & crew

The Elephant Queen Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in The Elephant Queen. Directed by Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone.

From the directors

More from Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone

One more film directed by Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone: The Queen of Trees.

Ratings

The Elephant Queen Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Elephant Queen 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

80 /100

The Elephant Queen Echo Score Breakdown

The Elephant Queen offers a compelling nature narrative underpinned by remarkable craft and emotion. Reviews highlight its evocative cinematography and authentic insights into elephant behavior, even as the storyline occasionally hinges on familiar family-doc conventions. The film’s pacing and narrative coherence engage viewers through a balanced blend of tenderness and wildlife drama. Sensory elements—particularly its score and sound design—enhance the immersive quality. While its rewatch appeal is solid, the modest originality tempers long-term replay value.

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 & craft, The Elephant Queen is distinguished by its striking cinematography and unobtrusive editing. Reviewers note the photorealistic imagery and genuine authenticity stemming from years of wildlife expertise behind the lens. Visual compositions capture both sweeping landscapes and intimate animal moments with clarity. This measured approach to production design and camera work underpins the film’s evocative presence. Overall, its craft elements consistently draw positive emphasis from critics and viewers alike.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character & emotion, the documentary relies on natural animal behaviors and a gentle narrative voice to foster empathy. Observers applaud the film’s capacity to evoke compassion without overt anthropomorphism, though a few note Disney-like tendencies in some moments. Emotional resonance peaks in scenes portraying the herd’s struggle and maternal leadership, creating a heartfelt connection. In sum, the film’s nuanced portrayal of elephant bonds solidly anchors its emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story & flow, The Elephant Queen delivers a coherent narrative that highlights a matriarch’s journey through drought and survival. While the pacing generally maintains engagement, reviewers mention occasional reliance on familiar family-documentary tropes and omissions of deeper factual context. The structure balances informative sequences with emotional set pieces, though some feel it misses opportunities for greater educational depth. Overall, the storyline is engaging yet moderately conventional in its execution.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When assessing sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design consistently receive praise for enhancing emotional impact. The soundtrack subtly supports the visual narrative without overwhelming scenes, and background effects immerse viewers in the savanna’s ambiance. Visually, the cohesive style and color palette underscore both grandeur and intimacy, delivering an immersive audiovisual journey. Overall, the sensory elements significantly strengthen the documentary’s presence and audience engagement.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, the documentary offers appreciable appeal for viewers interested in wildlife narratives, particularly on initial viewings. The combination of evocative footage and emotive storytelling provides a rewarding experience, especially for family audiences. However, the film’s adherence to established nature-doc formulas may limit its incentive for repeated viewings beyond educational settings. Overall, it sustains a solid but not exceptional replay value grounded in its visual and emotional strengths.

Box office

The Elephant Queen Box Office

The Elephant Queen grossed $713,957 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$714K

International
$714K
Videos

The Elephant Queen Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Elephant Queen.

Official Movie Trailer
Details

The Elephant Queen Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “The Elephant Mother” and “Царица Слоница - Слоницата Майка”.

Also known as
  • The Elephant Mother
  • Царица Слоница - Слоницата Майка
  • מלכת הפילים
  • Королева слонов
  • Reina de elefantes
  • La madre degli elefanti
  • Die Elefantenmutter
  • Az elefántkirálynő
  • '엘리펀트 퀸' - The Elephant Queen
  • 大象女王
  • Царица Слоница
  • Η Βασίλισσα Ελέφαντας
+9 more
  • Slonia kráľovná
  • A Rainha Elefante
  • Королева слонів
  • La mère éléphant
  • Nữ Hoàng Voi - The Elephant Queen
  • Królowa słoni
  • ゾウの女王:偉大な母の物語
  • Norsukuningatar
  • Regina elefant

Seen The Elephant Queen?

FAQ

The Elephant Queen FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Elephant Queen?

The Elephant Queen runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was The Elephant Queen released?

The Elephant Queen was released on October 18, 2019.

Who directed The Elephant Queen?

The Elephant Queen was directed by Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone.

More films by Mark Deeble

Who is in the cast of The Elephant Queen?

The Elephant Queen stars Chiwetel Ejiofor.

How much did The Elephant Queen make at the box office?

The Elephant Queen grossed $713,957 worldwide.

How is The Elephant Queen rated?

The Elephant Queen has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does The Elephant Queen have a post-credit scene?

No. The Elephant Queen has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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