Movie · 2023 · Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation · 1h 23m · PG · English
Curator score: 2.3/10 (216.3K ratings)
Odd ducks welcome.
Overview
After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, the Mallard family embarks on a family road trip, from New England, to New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
Ratings
Curator score: 2.3/10
IMDb: 6.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.12/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Metacritic: 56
TMDB: 7.4/10
Director
Benjamin Renner
Production
Universal Pictures, Illumination
Cast
Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Awkwafina, Carol Kane, Keegan-Michael Key, Danny DeVito, David Mitchell, Isabela Merced, Carlos Alazraqui, Ozioma Akagha, Jozanne Marie, Carlos Alazraqui, Sarah Musnitsky, Valenzia Algarin, Laraine Newman, Will Collyer, Levi Nunez, Abby Craden
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A bright, easygoing family adventure with enough charm, visual polish, and comic momentum to entertain kids and adults looking for something light. It doesn’t push animation very far, but it’s warm, funny, and pleasantly sincere.
Best for
families with younger kids
viewers wanting a low-stakes animated adventure
fans of road-trip comedies
people who like cute, earnest animal stories
audiences in the mood for a colorful crowd-pleaser
Skip if
you want boundary-pushing animation
you prefer sharper, more subversive family films
you’re tired of studio animation built around familiar beats
you need a story with deep emotional complexity
Overview
Migration is a cheerful, fast-moving family adventure that knows exactly what it is: a breezy road movie with ducks. The setup is simple, the jokes are broad, and the emotional arc stays accessible, but the film has enough warmth and energy to keep it from feeling disposable.
Worth noting
Its biggest strength is how well it balances motion and personality. The family dynamic gives the movie a steady heart, and the journey from pond life to city chaos to tropical escape provides plenty of visual variety. It’s not trying to reinvent animated storytelling, but it does deliver a polished, easy watch with real crowd-pleasing rhythm.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a clever, comforting movie to put on with kids, this lands well. If you want animation that feels formally adventurous or emotionally daring, it will probably feel modest. Still, as a piece of mainstream family entertainment, it’s charming, efficient, and more likable than its reputation suggests.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Joe A (3★) · 2605 likes
I went in a grumpy Gary and came out a smiling Scott.
(I took an edible)
Regal (5★) · 2245 likes
Would feed them so much bread
demi adejuyigbe · 1326 likes
nice :) feel like animated films get a bad rap unless they are visually revolutionary in some way but i support the middle class of animation and this is a solid entry! excited to tell my dad about this one, as he exclusively watches animated kids film and british murder mysteries. no shade to everybody in this because you all did a good job but i think it is time for us to find new voice actors!
Rachel Leishman (5★) · 1278 likes
my sweet duck family and their gay uncles: keegan-michael key and danny devito
MarMar (2.5★) · 969 likes
Every other studio is pushing the limits on what you can do with animation and going beyond what's possible storytelling wise. Meanwhile Disney and Illumination are still making movies like we're in the year 2011.
A similarly broad, family-friendly adventure about leaving home, confronting the unknown, and discovering that change can be exciting rather than terrifying.