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Mystery drama

Wonderstruck (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Wonderstruck (2017) movie poster

Wonderstruck is a 2017 mystery drama directed by Todd Haynes, starring Oakes Fegley as Ben, Julianne Moore and Millicent Simmonds. It is based on Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $3.3 million worldwide on a $7 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2018. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$3.3M
award nomination
1
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Wonderstruck (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Todd Haynes
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Family
Original language
English
Budget
$7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Wonderstruck About?

The premise of Wonderstruck without spoilers, adapted from Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick.

In 1977, a boy named Ben runs away from home in search of a father he never knew. Fifty years earlier, a young girl named Rose escapes her own circumstances, captivated by a movie star. Their separate journeys, driven by longing and a desire for connection, unexpectedly mirror each other. As they follow a trail of enigmatic clues and hidden secrets, their stories become intertwined in a beautiful and mysterious exploration of family, identity, and the power of dreams.

Wonderstruck Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • museum
  • bookstore
  • deafness
  • wolf
  • friend
  • friendship
  • girl
  • manhattan new york city
  • queens new york city
  • queens museum
  • younger version of character
  • mother son relationship
+38 more
  • father son relationship
  • loss of hearing
  • deaf girl
  • nightmare
  • struck by lightning
  • black american
  • african american
  • color segues into black and white
  • museum guard
  • chase
  • pursuit
  • search for father
  • watching a movie
  • watching a silent movie
  • old woman
  • street life
  • gunflint minnesota
  • hiding place
  • sleep
  • food
  • eating
  • running
  • theater
  • actress
  • play rehearsal
  • diorama
  • new york city skyline
  • one word title
  • title at the end
  • no title at beginning
  • no opening credits
  • nonlinear timeline
  • year 1977
  • year 1927
  • dream sequence
  • orphan
  • orphan boy
  • paper boat
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Cast & crew

Wonderstruck Cast & Characters

Oakes Fegley leads the cast as Ben, with Julianne Moore as Lillian Mayhew, Rose and Millicent Simmonds as Rose. Directed by Todd Haynes; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Wonderstruck

· 6 more
From the director

More from Todd Haynes

More films directed by Todd Haynes, best-rated first: The Velvet Underground, Carol, May December and Dark Waters.

Full filmography
Ratings

Wonderstruck Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Wonderstruck 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (62).

75 /100

Wonderstruck Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s visual and performative strengths are tempered by uneven narrative pacing and coherence. Throughout its shifting timelines, reviewers consistently note Haynes’ meticulous cinematography and strong acting, yet they also highlight a plot that can feel fragmented and demands patience. While the sensory design and performances offer memorable moments, the storytelling inconsistencies prevent full immersion. Overall, Wonderstruck leaves a mixed but generally favorable impression.

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 visual composition and production design, Wonderstruck excels with detailed set pieces and refined lighting. Critics frequently mention the film’s striking black-and-white sequences and evocative color palettes that establish its dual time periods. Haynes’ precise framing and editing sustain a distinct aesthetic atmosphere throughout. The overall visual craftsmanship consistently anchors the film’s stylistic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to acting and emotional depth, the performances are a primary highlight. Observers praise Millicent Simmonds’ authentic portrayal and note the supporting work of Moore and Williams. Nonetheless, some find that the emotional impact remains somewhat detached due to the film’s formal precision. These mixed reactions indicate strong individual moments but variable resonance overall.

  • Story & Flow 62

    In terms of narrative structure and pacing, the story elicits mixed responses regarding coherence and engagement. Reviews note an inventive dual-timeline approach and moments of striking originality, yet many observers find the plot’s progress uneven and the resolution underdeveloped. The film’s deliberate pacing and intricate coincidences require patience but do not always reward it. Overall, the narrative ambition is clear but inconsistently realized.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering the film’s auditory and visual design, the soundtrack and soundscape are consistently noted for their emotional support. Observers highlight both the orchestral score that underlines key moments and the integration of period-specific music. Combined with the intentional visual style, the sensory elements enhance mood and atmosphere. Overall, the film delivers a cohesive and evocative sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When assessing rewatch potential, Wonderstruck’s intricate puzzle and atmospheric detail may reward subsequent viewings for attentive audiences. Reviewers indicate that the dual-timeline structure and subtle visual motifs reveal additional layers over time. However, the deliberate pacing and narrative opacity could deter some viewers from revisiting. Overall, the film offers a worthwhile but selective rewatch experience that depends on viewer engagement style.

Box office

Wonderstruck Box Office & Budget

Wonderstruck grossed $3.3 million worldwide on a $7 million budget, 47% of what it cost. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $2.2 million (68%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.3M

47% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.1M
International
$2.2M
Budget
$7M
US & Canada 32% Rest of the world 68%
Awards

Wonderstruck Awards & Nominations

Wonderstruck earned 1 award nomination, including Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics' Choice 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Wonderstruck Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 1 clip, 8 featurettes and 6 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 18 videos
Wonderstruck Official Trailer [HD] | Amazon Studios
  • Teaser
  • Teaser
  • Clip First-Look Clip
  • Featurette Todd Haynes & Julianne Moore on Wonderstruck | Film4 Cannes Intervew Special
Cars

Cars in Wonderstruck

64 cars on screen, including the 1984 Chevrolet B-60 and the 1968 GMC PD 4903.

All 64 cars
  • 1984 Chevrolet B-60 in Wonderstruck 1984 Chevrolet B-60 Minor role
  • 1968 GMC PD 4903 in Wonderstruck 1968 GMC PD 4903 Minor role
  • 1959 GMC TDH 4517 in Wonderstruck 1959 GMC TDH 4517 Minor role
  • unknown in Wonderstruck unknown Minor role
Details

Wonderstruck Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Sem Fôlego” and “Kutup Yıldızı”.

Also known as
  • Sem Fôlego
  • Kutup Yıldızı
  • La stanza delle meraviglie
  • 원더스트럭
  • El Museo de las Maravillas
  • อัศจรรย์วันข้ามเวลา
  • Свят измислен, пълен с чудеса
  • Après la foudre
  • Un viaje maravilloso
  • Muzej čudesa
  • Le musée des merveilles
  • Το δωμάτιο των θαυμάτων
+17 more
  • Tung waan jik jyun
  • Tong huan ni yuan
  • Ma'asse pla'im
  • ワンダーストラック
  • Wonderstruck: El museo de las maravillas
  • Wonderstruck: O Museu das Maravilhas
  • Мир, полный чудес
  • Kabinet cudes
  • 奇光下的秘密
  • Kutup Yıldız
  • Wonderstruck. El museo de las maravillas
  • 寂静中的惊奇
  • מעשה פלאים
  • Okouzlení
  • Світ, повний чудес
  • Likę be žado
  • 童幻逆緣

Seen Wonderstruck?

FAQ

Wonderstruck FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Wonderstruck, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Wonderstruck?

Wonderstruck runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Wonderstruck released?

Wonderstruck was released on October 20, 2017.

Who directed Wonderstruck?

Wonderstruck was directed by Todd Haynes.

More films by Todd Haynes

Who is in the cast of Wonderstruck?

Wonderstruck stars Oakes Fegley as Ben, Julianne Moore as Lillian Mayhew, Rose and Millicent Simmonds as Rose, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Wonderstruck make at the box office?

Wonderstruck grossed $3.3 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $2.2 million international) on a budget of $7 million.

How is Wonderstruck rated?

Wonderstruck has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Is Wonderstruck based on a book?

Yes. Wonderstruck is adapted from Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick.

Was Wonderstruck nominated for any awards?

Wonderstruck received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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