A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995)

6% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(73,831 ratings)

This comedy offers yet another sanitized and very loose adaptation of Mark Twain's dark satire A Yankee in King Arthur's Court. This time, the story centers on Calvin Fuller, a nerdy young adolescent living in Reseda. The gangly, unsure youth is first seen standing at bat, ready for yet… More This comedy offers yet another sanitized and very loose adaptation of Mark Twain's dark satire A Yankee in King Arthur's Court. This time, the story centers on Calvin Fuller, a nerdy young adolescent living in Reseda. The gangly, unsure youth is first seen standing at bat, ready for yet another strike out. Suddenly a terrible earthquake hits and as the others run for safety, the hapless Calvin is swallowed up in a gaping chasm. He falls and falls until he finds himself landing on the head of a 6th-century black knight. Upon hearing of his miraculous appearance, the elderly King Arthur, seeing him as the savior Merlin predicted would appear, dubs the boy Calvin of Reseda and invites him to dine with the court. Calvin then begins his knightly training. When the earthquake hit, lucky Calvin managed to grab his knapsack and is therefore able to wow the Arthurians with his futuristic magic that includes an introduction to rock & roll via CD-player, and a wonderful Swiss Army knife. The young wizard also shows them how to make rollerblades. His work wins him adulation and renown, but it also rouses the jealousy of the wicked Lord Belasco who will use any means to take over the throne. Meanwhile, Calvin finds himself falling for young-princess Katey. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Directed By: Michael Gottlieb
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 11, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003

Critic Reviews

John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
Sitting through it, I found myself shuddering at what Disney may have in store for next summer.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
It is numbingly bland, homogenized and deflated by an utter lack of original wit or charm. Worst of all, it is subtly but conspicuously condescending to its target audience.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
It's a missed opportunity for introducing the Mortal Kombat generation to medieval combat that was really mortal.
Leonard Klady, Variety
The ragtag adaptation by Michael Part and Robert Levy is familiar fodder run through a blender too high and too fast.
Caryn James, New York Times
Sluggish and low-energy.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
This lively time-travel fantasy is the clear result of imagination and reflection on the part of writers Michael Part and Robert L. Levy and director Michael Gottlieb and their colleagues, who possess a crucial light touch.
, Christian Science Monitor
Rarely do the well-financed wizards at Walt Disney Pictures cook up a movie this badly written, acted, and directed.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Lame and surprisingly awkward from start to finish.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
For fantasy to work, two elements are required: an audience willing to suspend its disbelief, and a film able to create its own logically consistent world.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
A negligible piece of juvenile fluff.
Hollis Chacona, Austin Chronicle
Even with Nichols, decent production values, a pair of plucky princesses, and a few pleasant surprises tucked in here and there, A Kid in King Arthur's Court is a pretty prosaic picture.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
An hour and a half video aquarium for the kids.

Read all 12 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

A Kid in King Arthur's Court is one of those childhood films that are quite forgettable. This is a film that hasn't aged well. This is the type of film that is only worth watching once, and when you get older, you realize that this film isn't a classic like so many… More
A Kid in King Arthur's Court is one of those childhood films that are quite forgettable. This is a film that hasn't aged well. This is the type of film that is only worth watching once, and when you get older, you realize that this film isn't a classic like so many other childhood favorite. The film might have been entertaining when I first saw it, but years later, it doesn't do anything for me. The acting wasn't that great, and the gags aren't anything to write home about. This is one childhood film that is plainly stupid. This film doesn't belong among the many childhood classics that I've seen. This is a poorly made film with a bad plot, bad acting and poor directing. The film isn't that entertaining, and it's fairly sloppy overall. A kid in King Arthur's Court is a mediocre, unimpressive film that really doesn't cut it. This isn't a good film, it's a mediocre effort and it really doesn't stand the test of time. I liked it when I was a kid, and looking back now, I can't believe I enjoyed this trash. This film is pathetic, awful entertainment, and this is a film not worth watching. There are so many better family films than this that are actually funny. If you're looking a funny film, pass up on this, as this isn't a good family comedy. Kids may dig it, but it's not something that the entire family will enjoy. This is a missed opportunity to create something that the entire family can enjoy. Stick with Toy Story if you want a better constructed film.
Chris W

Half-assed Disney movie that doesn't really hold up, and was only kinda passable to begin with. I haven't read it, but I think I'd probably enjoy Mark Twain's story far better than this. If I remember correctly though, Kate Winslet is in this, so that's… More
Half-assed Disney movie that doesn't really hold up, and was only kinda passable to begin with. I haven't read it, but I think I'd probably enjoy Mark Twain's story far better than this. If I remember correctly though, Kate Winslet is in this, so that's cool.
Rachel F

It was ok.
a b

This movie opened up a whole new world for me. I don't know how, but it did.
Erin C

This is an old one! I loved this movie though, especially since Thomas Ian Nicholas was in it. He was such a cutie :P

Currently unavailable on Flixster

Also available on

Other Retailers

Not Available

Subscription Services

Not Available

Cast

Joss Ackland
as King Arthur
Daniel Craig
as Master Kane
Art Malik
as Lord Belasco
Vincent Marzello
as Dad
Ron Moody
as Merlin
Thomas Ian Nicholas
as Calvin Fuller
Shane Rimmer
as Coach
Barry Stanton
as Blacksmith
Debora Weston
as Mom
J.P. Guerin
as Umpire
Catherine Blake
as Maya
Kate Winslet
as Princess Sarah
Paloma Baeza
as Princess Katey

See more (13)

A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Chris W

Rachel F

a b

Erin C

Also available on

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Cast

Watch offline from your computer

Flixster Desktop

Watch on your TV

Google TV

Microsoft XBOX 360

Sony Playstation 3

Watch on your tablet

iPad

Kindle Fire, Kindle Nook

Android tablets

Watch on your phone

iPhone, iPod Touch

Android phones

Are you sure?

Google TV Get the Flixster app , then sign in	Microsoft XBOX 360 Get the Vudu app, connect to UltraViolet. Rentals currently not available. Flixster app coming soon!
Sony Playstation 3 Get the Vudu app, connect to UltraViolet. Rentals currently not available. Flixster app coming soon!

iPad Get the Flixster app , then sign in	Kindle Fire, Kindle Nook Get the Flixster app , then sign in
Android tablets Get the Flixster app , then sign in