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Animated horror film

Unicorn Wars (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Unicorn Wars (2023) movie poster

Unicorn Wars is a 2023 animated horror film directed by Alberto Vázquez, starring Manu Heras as Sargento Caricias, Papá, Jon Goiri and Jaione Insausti. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $29,448 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Special Award (Fiction Film) at the Premios Feroz 2023. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$29.4K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
70
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Unicorn Wars (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Alberto Vázquez
Genres
Action , Fantasy , Horror , Comedy
Original language
Spanish
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Unicorn Wars About?

The premise of Unicorn Wars without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Within a realm consumed by an unending conflict between teddy bears and unicorns, two brothers find themselves caught in the heart of the battle. Bluey is a brave warrior, while Tubby possesses a kind and gentle nature. As they confront the brutal realities of war and grapple with their inner struggles, their differing beliefs challenge their relationship and risk tearing apart the delicate balance of the Magic Forest.

Unicorn Wars Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • blood
  • bear
  • unicorn
  • violence
  • brother brother relationship
  • humiliation
  • bow and arrow
  • forest
  • blueberry
  • fire
  • stabbing
  • breaking a mirror
+22 more
  • flashback
  • adult animation
  • 2d animation
  • animal
  • cartoon bear
  • splatter
  • anti war
  • toy
  • sibling relationship
  • battle
  • weapon
  • armor
  • civilization
  • sacred book
  • prejudice
  • teddy bear
  • father
  • mother
  • brief male frontal nudity
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
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Cast & crew

Unicorn Wars Cast & Characters

Manu Heras leads the cast as Sargento Caricias, Papá, with Jon Goiri as Azulín and Jaione Insausti as Gordi. Directed by Alberto Vázquez; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Unicorn Wars

· 3 more
From the director

More from Alberto Vázquez

More films directed by Alberto Vázquez, best-rated first: Birdboy: The Forgotten Children and Birdboy.

Full filmography
Ratings

Unicorn Wars Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Unicorn Wars 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in character & emotion (52).

70 /100

Unicorn Wars Echo Score Breakdown

Unicorn Wars delivers a striking visual experience anchored by bold, avant‑garde animation, yet its narrative ambition generates a polarized response. Critics applaud its anti‑war messaging and daring use of grotesque imagery, while noting uneven pacing and occasional narrative excess. Viewers echo this split, praising the film’s originality and shock value but questioning its story cohesion. The result is a film that stands out for its artistry and thematic audacity, though its execution leaves audiences divided.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    The film’s art direction is widely celebrated for its vivid color palette and meticulous 2D animation. Reviewers highlight the mesmerizing composition of pastel bears against hot‑pink infernos and the overall visual craftsmanship. Even detractors acknowledge the technical excellence, though some feel the striking style can overwhelm the narrative. Consequently, the artwork emerges as a dominant strength of the production.

  • Character & Emotion 52

    Character depth and emotional resonance are perceived as uneven throughout the film. Critics point to a reliance on archetypal symbols that limits nuanced exploration of masculinity and power. While some viewers find the mythic characters compelling, many note a superficial treatment that undermines empathy. Overall, the character work remains inconsistent, contributing modestly to the film’s impact.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story blends anti‑war allegory with surreal horror, delivering an original premise that some find bold and thought‑provoking. However, reviewers frequently cite uneven rhythm and a tendency toward gratuitous shock over coherent plot development. The narrative’s ambition is evident, yet its execution yields a mixed level of engagement. Consequently, the story is judged as moderately effective but flawed.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory elements, particularly the visual style, are a focal point of praise, with vivid imagery and graphic contrasts creating an immersive experience. The film’s sound design receives limited commentary, but the overall sensory impact is described as striking and memorable. While the graphic nature may alienate some audiences, the cohesive aesthetic supports the film’s thematic goals, rendering the sensory dimension a strong component.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch value is linked to the film’s shocking originality and layered symbolism, encouraging repeat viewings for deeper analysis. Many users affirm a desire to revisit the experience, citing its bold commentary on war and religion. Conversely, a minority find the grotesque content off‑putting, reducing repeat appeal. On balance, the movie holds solid replay potential for viewers drawn to its daring approach.

Plot

Unicorn Wars Plot Summary

What happens in Unicorn Wars from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a mystical forest brimming with life, unicorns coexisted peacefully with wild animals. However, everything changed when a group of bears stumbled upon a sacred text hidden in the ruins of an ancient church. This forbidden book granted them the ability to think and feel like humans, allowing them to establish their own civilization. Over generations, the bears transformed into vibrant, teddy bear-like creatures. Driven by a desire to nurture the forest, their intentions were met with hostility from the unicorns, who were ultimately forced to retaliate against the bears’ destructive deforestation campaign. As a result, war erupted, igniting a fierce conflict where the bears believed it would culminate in their “chosen one” drinking the blood of the last unicorn, thus summoning a god-like entity back to their realm.

Full summary

The whole story of Unicorn Wars, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Unicorn Wars Box Office

Unicorn Wars grossed $29,448 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$29.4K

International
$29.4K
Awards

Unicorn Wars Awards & Nominations

Unicorn Wars earned 1 award nomination, including Special Award (Fiction Film) at the Premios Feroz 2023.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Unicorn Wars Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Unicorn Wars.

Trailer UNICORN WARS english sub
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Unicorn Wars?

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

What transformative event changes the bears in the story?

Details

Unicorn Wars Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “独角兽战争” and “Война единорогов”.

Also known as
  • 独角兽战争
  • Война единорогов
  • 熊霸天下
  • 유니콘 전쟁
  • ユニコーン・ウォーズ
  • Háború az egyszarvúak ellen
  • מלחמות חדי הקרן
  • Wojny jednorożców
  • Jednorožci vs. medvídci
  • Війни Єдинорогів

Seen Unicorn Wars?

FAQ

Unicorn Wars FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Unicorn Wars?

Unicorn Wars runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Unicorn Wars released?

Unicorn Wars was released on March 10, 2023.

Who directed Unicorn Wars?

Unicorn Wars was directed by Alberto Vázquez.

More films by Alberto Vázquez

Who is in the cast of Unicorn Wars?

Unicorn Wars stars Manu Heras as Sargento Caricias, Papá, Jon Goiri as Azulín and Jaione Insausti as Gordi, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Unicorn Wars make at the box office?

Unicorn Wars grossed $29,448 worldwide.

How is Unicorn Wars rated?

Unicorn Wars has 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic, 77% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Unicorn Wars nominated for any awards?

Unicorn Wars received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Unicorn Wars have a post-credit scene?

No. Unicorn Wars has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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