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The Magic Faraway Tree

Play trailer Poster for The Magic Faraway Tree 1h 50m Kids & Family Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 35 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
Adapted from Enid Blyton's beloved classic novel The Magic Faraway Tree, the film centers on Polly (Claire Foy), Tim (Andrew Garfield), and their three children -- a modern family forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. As they adapt to their new lives, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents, including treasured characters Moonface (Nonso Anozie), Silky (Nicola Coughlan), Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), and Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns). At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular, fantastical lands, and through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
The Magic Faraway Tree

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Warm, charming, and quietly uplifting, The Magic Faraway Tree delivers a playful mix of whimsical characters, gentle humor, and a timely message about unplugging, making it an engaging and enjoyable family adventure.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Mar 30
If you can get past some rather overegged child-actor performances, it’s an enjoyable enough option for Easter holiday family entertainment. Go to Full Review
Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Mar 30
2/5
Farnaby’s screenplay is deplorable. Go to Full Review
Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) Mar 27
I found it surprisingly charming, and entertaining, and kind of uplifting. Go to Full Review
Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ 3d
2.5/5
The sheer volume of Blyton’s writing blinds people to the fact that most of her books were rubbish. And not even a modern retelling with a top-drawer cast can disguise that. Go to Full Review
Natasha Alvar The Fiction Department 5d
4/5
[...] even from the peripheries of the film, Garfield commands every single scene he’s in. On paper, Tim is some kind of manic pixie dream boy, but he makes him so much more. We feel his disappointments, his losses and his triumphs. Go to Full Review
Emma Simmonds The List Apr 29
4/5
Like all the best children’s films, there’s real emotion at its core, as it makes the case for kids to simply be kids: to get off the screens, fire their imaginations and open their hearts. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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YM B @OleB26 5d Enid Blyton was my childhood favourite when is came to choice of reading books. Overall, I enjoyed the film, there were some great performances and beautiful shots. Special shout outs for Andrew Garefield, Clare Foy and Jennifer Saunders. A good message reminding us all to get off our tech once in a while! The film didn't quite meet my expectations but I rather suspect that it wasn't made with my generation in mind. I would think that children love it and parents would enjoy it too. I did find some bits funny and especially enjoyed the farmer and famers' wife reveal at the end! See more Alisha K @Mini-nerd Apr 28 The movie was absolutely great, my mother and I loved every part of it. The costumes were on point, and the set designs were beautiful. The story line was intriguing, and Andrew was amazing. Really played Tim very well, and absolutely loved Moonface. Would recommend this to anyone wanting a good family film, and a loyal to the book adaptation. Would definitely watch a sequal if one was made. See more Mo W @Mowgli1985 Apr 27 Really enjoyed it. Seeing a beloved Childhood story come to life . Everyone involved has been amazing . See more Jerome D @RT05999550 Apr 25 A rare treat that all the family absolutely loved. It transported and entertained the kids, and moved the adults (much to their surprise). Terrific performances from the starry grown-up cast, matched by three great young actors. It looks beautiful, totally captures the wild and adventurous imagination of Blyton's books; we left feeling totally uplifted. See more Briony V @Briedle Apr 25 The film adaptation of The Faraway Tree is a significant departure from its source material, to the point of being almost unrecognisable. Key elements that gave the original story its charm and distinctiveness have either been altered or omitted entirely. The characters lack the familiarity and depth readers would expect, and many of the most memorable and imaginative moments from the book are notably absent. As a result, the film feels less like an adaptation and more like a loosely inspired reinterpretation, which ultimately undermines its connection to the beloved original. For viewers unfamiliar with the books, the film may still offer some entertainment value. However, for those who hold the source material in high regard, it is likely to be a disappointing experience and may not be worth watching. See more Lara J @LauraJ89 Apr 25 Absolutely loved this sweet and magical movie and so did my kids. Brought back such amazing memories of reading this as a child. Brilliant family fun movie. See more Read all reviews
The Magic Faraway Tree

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Movie Info

Synopsis Adapted from Enid Blyton's beloved classic novel The Magic Faraway Tree, the film centers on Polly (Claire Foy), Tim (Andrew Garfield), and their three children -- a modern family forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. As they adapt to their new lives, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents, including treasured characters Moonface (Nonso Anozie), Silky (Nicola Coughlan), Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), and Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns). At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular, fantastical lands, and through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Director
Ben Gregor
Producer
Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, Danny Perkins, Jane Hooks
Screenwriter
Simon Farnaby
Distributor
Vertical
Production Co
Ashland Hill Media Finance, Elysian Film Group
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 21, 2026, Wide
Runtime
1h 50m