Pinocchio (1940)

100% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(248,933 ratings)

When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto (Christian Rub) builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Dick Jones), is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. But,… More When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto (Christian Rub) builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Dick Jones), is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. But, even with the help of Jiminy (Cliff Edwards), a cricket who the fairy assigns to be Pinocchio's conscience, the marionette goes astray. He joins a puppet show instead of going to school, he lies instead of telling the truth, and he travels to Pleasure Island instead of going straight home. Yet, when Pinocchio discovers that a whale has swallowed Geppetto, the puppet single-mindedly journeys into the ocean and selflessly risks his life to save his father, thereby displaying that he deserves to be a real boy. Based on a series of stories by 19th century Italian author Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio came under fire for being a sugarcoated version of its original tale, but the film's moral did have a strong educational effect on children. Soon enough, a 16 mm excerpt from the picture, titled "Pinocchio: A Lesson in Honesty," was released for teachers to use in schools. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Feb 7, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Mar 10, 2009
Studio: RKO

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Pinocchio is a substantial piece of entertainment for young and old.
, TIME Magazine
The charm, humor and loving care with which it treats its inanimate characters puts it in a class by itself.
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
It still is the best thing Mr. Disney has done and therefore the best cartoon ever made.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The moral lessons include a literalization of metaphors about lying and other forms of misbehaving, and the grasp of a little boy's emotions and behavior often borders on the uncanny.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Was there ever a scarier, more exciting animated feature than Pinocchio?
, Total Film
Even in our cynical age, it still manages to impress.
Kevin Harley, Total Film
At the heart of this art is the thrill of the then-new: when Pinocchio hits sea-base and gushes "Gee! What a big place!", we share a sense of joy at the filmmakers' creative adventures.
Nancy Davis Kho, Common Sense Media
Disney masterpiece is darker than you may remember.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
One of the crown jewels of American cinema, and arguably the most beautiful animated movie in history.
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Dreams are something we all need to have, irrespective of age; this uplifting fable reminds us of that.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Continues to shine bright as one of the most magical and delightful films in the Disney animated library.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
... a tremendous release that provides the ultimate viewing experience of a treasured and sophisticated film.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
Pinocchio is above all a cautionary story of the dangers that lurk beyond the comforting arms of the family.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
In spirit a classical European fairy tale, full of wonder and terror … a pinnacle of artistic achievement that, after Bambi, classic Disney would never even try to match again.
Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm
The original Scared Straight!
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's still amazing to watch the sheer delight in movement and the sheer joy in decorating the frame with colors and shapes.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
One of the only Disney animated features with real gravitas, Pinocchio's reputation grows longer with each passing generation.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Nope, no perverted subtext here.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A must-have for Disney fans and Blu-ray lovers.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Pinocchio is a great film, but compared to other Disney classics, I never really re watched this one. I on the other hand really loved the film when I saw it when I was young. This film is a must see for everyone who loves a good animated film. The film, like with every other Disney… More
Pinocchio is a great film, but compared to other Disney classics, I never really re watched this one. I on the other hand really loved the film when I saw it when I was young. This film is a must see for everyone who loves a good animated film. The film, like with every other Disney film has great art, animation and a talented voice cast. Brilliantly drawn, Pinocchio will bring out the child in every viewer and is a must see for anyone who enjoys a touching story. I loved this one growing up, but unlike other Disney classics, I never really re watched this, but I can say without a doubt that this is a near flawless film, another great one for Disney and a definite must see for the entire family. Children will love this film one, and this is a film that adults will enjoy as well. That's the beauty part about Disney films, their ability to capture the imagination of people no matter what age you are. Pinocchio is a stunning film, one that remains a Disney classic along with Snow White, Bambi and others in the company's long standing history. A very enjoyable film, Pinocchio is a memorable film that will appeal to anyone looking for a great animated film. An enjoyable ride from beginning to end, this is among Disney's very best. Brilliantly drawn, and told, Pinocchio is a terrific film that has a great story, one that will appeal to every viewer.
Film C

Not my favourite walt disney movie that was made however it is a classic and like most of walt disneys movie it has got a great moral story and should be watched!
Sophie B

Never a fan of this as a child (the donkey part scared me very much) I decided to give this classic Disney film a second look. Wonderful characterisation and something I'd show my kids even today. Has stood the test of time extremely well (70 years!) and offers a good moral… More
Never a fan of this as a child (the donkey part scared me very much) I decided to give this classic Disney film a second look. Wonderful characterisation and something I'd show my kids even today. Has stood the test of time extremely well (70 years!) and offers a good moral thought for kids.
Alexander D

Awful
Eric A

Love Disney, but was never really the biggest Pinocchio fan. Good movie none the less.
Brad W

My grandfather showed me this when I was young, and we watched it every day we hung out. Pinnochio is not only the definiotion of hand drawn animation, it is possibly the greatest animated movie ever made. Walt Disneys masterpiece, shame on whoever didn't enjoy this.
Tim S

I have to be honest and say that I never really liked this movie that much, and I liked the original stories even less. Not to say that this film doesn't carry any artistic merit - it most certainly does - but it just isn't my favorite cup of tea.
Michael E

Its a twisted and dark Disney movie, that is i think a little to frightening for kids because there were some moments as a kid that made me crap my pants in this movie, mainly Monstro the whale, and the scene with Lampwick turning into a donkey, and the Oscar winner for scariest… More
Its a twisted and dark Disney movie, that is i think a little to frightening for kids because there were some moments as a kid that made me crap my pants in this movie, mainly Monstro the whale, and the scene with Lampwick turning into a donkey, and the Oscar winner for scariest moment in a Disney film goes to, that bargain that Honest John makes with that Donkey kid owner person when he does a devilish smile that makes you feel like your about to vomit out your esophagus
AJ V

My favourite early Disney movie! I love the story, which most people know by now even if they haven't seen the movie. It's old, but I still would recommend kids to see this movie, it has universal themes.
Richard C

C+
Bently L

Funny, sweet, action-packed, scary, heartwarming, the adjectives for this movie go on and on. This is one brilliant animated film. One you have to see before you die. "A boy who won't be good, might just as well be made of wood."
Jennifer D

Not my favorite Disney film by a long shot, but still very interesting
KJ P

FANTASTIC. WONDERFUL. AMAZING. ASTONISHING. These words go above and beyond for this movie, and if I could say anymore, I would call it the best disney film of all time, not including the Pixars!
Dan S

One of the best Disney films made. It's been a while since I've seen it, but the characters are extremely memorable as well as always engaging, and the title character himself is lovable and easy to root for. Although it's fairly dark and the story isn't fun to… More
One of the best Disney films made. It's been a while since I've seen it, but the characters are extremely memorable as well as always engaging, and the title character himself is lovable and easy to root for. Although it's fairly dark and the story isn't fun to watch at times, it's rich and highly imaginative nature is entirely enticing.
Conner R

I've always considered this one of Disney's best movies. It's just such a great story, beautifully told through the characters. I like that they didn't add pointless characters or musical numbers in order to get more attention. It's got a lot of amazing… More
I've always considered this one of Disney's best movies. It's just such a great story, beautifully told through the characters. I like that they didn't add pointless characters or musical numbers in order to get more attention. It's got a lot of amazing visuals to match the style of the script.
Luke B

A lot of Disney's best work still holds up today. Pinocchio is an episodic but delightfully twisted film. It's basically a fable on how to choose between right from wrong but who cares when it has some scenes worthy of the best horror films. Pleasure Island is a twisted and… More
A lot of Disney's best work still holds up today. Pinocchio is an episodic but delightfully twisted film. It's basically a fable on how to choose between right from wrong but who cares when it has some scenes worthy of the best horror films. Pleasure Island is a twisted and terrifying place. The donkey's screaming is very disturbing, as is Lampwick's. He may be a jackass but he is still a little boy with a mother. Like many fairytales movies adapted from books it's a bit jumpy, but at least this keeps the pace going.
Anthony L

Favourite Disney as a child. Not that it was written by Disney, he just took the credit but unfortunately not enough children (or adults for that matter) realise this.
Jason O

Ever since I was a kid, "Pinocchio" has always been one of my favorites. It's the story of a puppet, Pinocchio, who is on a mission to become a real boy. But to do that, he has to stay out of trouble the best he can. The only way he can do it is by the guidance of his… More
Ever since I was a kid, "Pinocchio" has always been one of my favorites. It's the story of a puppet, Pinocchio, who is on a mission to become a real boy. But to do that, he has to stay out of trouble the best he can. The only way he can do it is by the guidance of his conscience, Jiminy Cricket. But staying out of trouble is harder than Pinocchio first thought. .... Will Pinocchio ever become a real boy? "Pinocchio" has always been one of my favorite animated movies and it always will be. It's a timeless classic to say the least. If you like animated movies and especially if you have any kids, I recommend getting "Pinocchio" while you can. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Always been one of my absolute favorite Disney films of all time, still is, and I'm sure it always will be.
Jon L

I would like to see this one again. It was so long agon, but I remember it being really good.
Chris G

Pinocchio is probably one of my favorite Disney films and represents the great, early masterpieces of Disney animation. With Pinocchio you get a story that not only entertains, but also serves as a morality tale for children that isn't too preachy and entertaining. It's a… More
Pinocchio is probably one of my favorite Disney films and represents the great, early masterpieces of Disney animation. With Pinocchio you get a story that not only entertains, but also serves as a morality tale for children that isn't too preachy and entertaining. It's a mesmerizing film that makes you believe in crickets in tuxedos and wooden boys that turn into jackasses. A great kids film will entertain children as well as adults. This is what Pixar does so well today and the early Disney features accomplished this feat in the same way. A pure masterpiece.