Inkheart

Inkheart (2008)

  • 39% of critics liked it
    (142 reviews)

  • 49% of users liked it
    (165,173 ratings)

Author Cornelia Funke's best-selling children's novel comes to vivid life on the big screen with this family-friendly tale about a bookbinder whose storytelling skills possess the curious power to transport the characters he speaks about into the real world. When a nefarious villain from a… More

Play Trailer

In Theaters
Jan 23, 2009 Wide
On DVD
Jun 23, 2009
Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

  • Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

    The aesthetics of Inkheart are part of what make it such a surprisingly enjoyable experience to watch.

  • Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

    [Has] plenty of thrills, a smart although oft-confusing script, delightful scenery-chewing scenes from stalwarts like Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent and Andy Serkis, and a gorgeous high-concept visual style.

  • Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

    Seemingly intended as a celebration of the power of books, it's an occasionally incoherent, sleep-inducing picture that reduces narrative to mere mechanics.

  • Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

    Over and over again, characters in Inkheart wax eloquent on the power of books. But there's nothing in the movie as haunting or as compelling as the sound they make when they speak for themselves.

  • Kyle Smith, New York Post

    A flea market of fairy tales and hocus-pocus, Inkheart makes as much sense as an inkblot.

Read all 26 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

  • John M


    I have not read the original source material but the movie has a nice wholesome quality with good direction, well used but not overused CGI. I would say a much better job of adapting a fantasy book to big screen than others, IE things like the Seeker Dark Is Rising or even Goodkinds… More

  • Universal D


    It's a family friendly tale about the joys of reading (and because of that many characters from the classic children's library show up and put in an appearance) but the subjective feeling of joy is somehow missing, much like one of those TimeLife commercials selling classic… More

  • Dean !


    A decent mystical family adventure film with a decent cast line up. I thought there would be a few more action scenes and mythical creatures in this, but sadly not. One for a sunday afternoon with the kids.

  • Dead A


    My hope was way too high for this movie. I love watching Brendan's movie. But this didn't meet my expectation. Their acting was way too cheesy. The plot didn't came out as good as it sounded. Sigh. Never hope too much from anything. The chances of being disappointed is… More

  • Curtis L


    Cool idea. I'm sure the books are better.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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