Swiss Family Robinson

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Swiss Family Robinson

G

1960

2h 8m

Kids & Family

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother, father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island. The Robinsons learn to live in the wild, have various adventures and build an impressive house in a tree. However, while island life is full of excitement, whether to return to civilization looms.

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Critics Consensus

Wholesome and energetic, the ingenious Swiss Family Robinson guides us through a thrilling adventure that leaves us wondering whether modern civilization is all it's cracked up to be.

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TIME Magazine

03/09/2009

The Swiss Family Robinson, like most of Walt Disney's screen versions of the children's classics, is good Disney and bad culture.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

02/11/2006

B+

Chock-full of exotic locations and animals, desert-island DIY ingenuity, and high-spirited excitement, with a poignant subplot involving the rivalry of the two elder sons.

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

05/10/2005

It's hard to imagine how the picture could be better as a rousing, humorous and gentle-hearted tale of family love amid primitive isolation and dangers.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

03/12/2022

As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment its energetic and appealing.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

10/31/2019

The famous 1813 novel by Johann Wyss has been turned into a fine adventure film under Walt Disney's supervision, although purists may resent the way the original narrative has been souped up with pirates and other innovations.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

06/27/2019

This feels like a believable family, even if the treehouse is a little over the top.

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Adelay C.

@27adeco Jun 15

This movie is special to me as it is that childhood movie I return to again and again. The story never gets old, and, for a dated movie, most of the scenes have held up surprisingly well.

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Mike H

@RT53689244 Mar 15

Watched it with the young grandkids. Old movies could have a bit of violence but not smash you in the face with its gore and brutality. Like playing with plastic soldiers when you're a kid. Great watch for the 10 and under crowd. Good morals and solid, easily followed story line. The good guys win and the family unit is at the top of life again.

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James H

@RT51557711 Nov 2

One of my favourtie movies as a kid, many will say it did not age well, but as is this is a fun movie and looks like it was a whole chalenge to film. Will show this to my kids when the time comes.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Oct 17

Success in 2 hours and 8 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wesley H.

@historynerdnumber1 07/27/2025

Loved this movie.

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Michael T

@RT92276691 01/25/2025

All time classic family film, a rare case of a movie being far better than the book. The menagerie of animals is a bit ridiculous in modern light, but the story is charming with enough excitement to carry through.

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Ken Annakin

Director

John Mills

Father Robinson

Dorothy McGuire

Mother Robinson

James MacArthur

Fritz Robinson

Janet Munro

Roberta 'Bertie'

Sessue Hayakawa

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Synopsis

In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother, father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island. The Robinsons learn to live in the wild, have various adventures and build an impressive house in a tree. However, while island life is full of excitement, whether to return to civilization looms.

Director: Ken Annakin
Producer: Walt Disney
Screenwriter: Johann David Wyss, Lowell S. Hawley
Distributor: Walt Disney Company Ltd. [gb], Buena Vista Pictures, Buena Vista Home Entertainment [br], Walt Disney Home Video [gb]
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)