The Secret of NIMH (1982)

95% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(52,880 ratings)

Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full-length animated films, Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the… More Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full-length animated films, Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the studio. Adapted from Robert C. O'Brien's acclaimed children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H., the film is about a widowed mouse whose home is threatened; also, one of her children is gravely ill. On her way to find help, she discovers NIMH, a secret society of highly-intelligent rats who have escaped from a nearby science lab. The rats help the widow to protect her family and home. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Don Bluth
Written By: Don Bluth, Will Finn, Gary Goldman
Genres: Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jul 2, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Mar 6, 2001
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Not enthralling, but worth seeing for anyone interested in the mechanics of this arcane art.
Variety Staff, Variety
Every character moves fluidly and imaginatively against an extravaganza of detailed background and dazzling effects, all emboldened by fascinating colored textures.
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
It is something gorgeous to look at.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It looks good, moves well, and delights our eyes.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The story manages to be sentimental without being especially moving.
Michael Scheinfeld, Common Sense Media
Fascinating, but very dark with some creepy imagery.
Michael Scheinfeld, Common Sense Media
Fascinating. But sensitive animal-lovers beware.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
The award-winning book had a pretty crackerjack story to begin with, but in some respects, I think Bluth and his co-writers have bettered it.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A return to the lush, finely detailed animation seen in the best Disney features.
Tasha Robinson, AV Club
The animation was, as Bluth and company had promised, a spectacular return to old-school craftsmanship.
Derek Adams, Time Out
It's a spectacular return to the shimmering, mesmerising deep-focus animation associated with Disney's classic period...
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Never mind the G rating, this is scary stuff which sent my little one fleeing to another room inside of 10 minutes.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
It's no secret -- this is one mighty mouse movie!
, Film4
Lovers of animation shouldn't have too much trouble getting the kids to take them along.
James Rocchi, Netflix
Too leaden for kids, too slight for grownups.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
It took years before Disney would match the quality of this first film from expatriate Don Bluth.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael E

though many consider this Don Bluths best film, I still don't think he is the best animation director. The animation is okay, but its not that impressive, not as much "Anastasia." The acting is okay but not fantastic, but the music is very good, and some of it is very… More
though many consider this Don Bluths best film, I still don't think he is the best animation director. The animation is okay, but its not that impressive, not as much "Anastasia." The acting is okay but not fantastic, but the music is very good, and some of it is very good when it comes to its drama, but it doesn't leave you completely satisfied like some other serious animated films do like "Persepolis" but overall it is a decent film, but its not the best film or the best animated film I've seen.
Christopher H

Don Bluths directorial debut and his best film. The animation is amazing, especially when considering it was done by twelve animators. The story is just as amazing as the audience follows Mrs. Brisbys journey to save her son. Their are many scary and intense scenes in this movie,… More
Don Bluths directorial debut and his best film. The animation is amazing, especially when considering it was done by twelve animators. The story is just as amazing as the audience follows Mrs. Brisbys journey to save her son. Their are many scary and intense scenes in this movie, but Mrs. Brisbys courage and optimism keeps the tone of the film in balance. Probably the only time Don Bluth succeeded in maintaining that balance. An emotionally powerful film that kids and adults can enjoy.
AJ V

An interesting animated film, the story is actually pretty grown up for a Disney movie, and I'm not sure that was a good idea, but overall it's a pretty good movie.
Conner R

A pretty cool kid's movie with a lot of dark themes and parallels to human society. While it's not as emotionally powerful as Watership Down or as funny as some disney movies, it finds a nice middle ground and doesn't show one bit of cheesiness. It has a nice plot,… More
A pretty cool kid's movie with a lot of dark themes and parallels to human society. While it's not as emotionally powerful as Watership Down or as funny as some disney movies, it finds a nice middle ground and doesn't show one bit of cheesiness. It has a nice plot, characters you like watching and a really great visual touch. The Jerry Goldsmith score sets it over the edge though, making it more of a classic.
Anthony L

The rats of NIMH were cool, I loved this as a child!
Ken S

Awesome Don Bluth animation
Curtis L

Great animation.
Red L

An interesting story featuring a field mouse, a bumbling crow, a wise scary owl, and super-intelligent rats. Watched it with my kids a few times.
Mister C

Brillant. Just plain astounding
Jennifer X

this is SO great! i love this movie! and it sends a message too. i didn't think i would like it (movielens recommended it to me) but i DID!
Matthew Y

The Secret of NIMH is simply put a masterpiece. Dark toned and smartly/seriously written the film is a shock to the senses for audiences used to the cutesy Disney films of the time. Surprisingly adult themes and character depth add to a story that is never uninteresting no matter… More
The Secret of NIMH is simply put a masterpiece. Dark toned and smartly/seriously written the film is a shock to the senses for audiences used to the cutesy Disney films of the time. Surprisingly adult themes and character depth add to a story that is never uninteresting no matter the audiences age. The sequences with the wise Owl and the elderly rat are some of the best and most iconic animated sequences ever made. Highly recommended film that is a must watch for even modest animation fans. FYI: Don Bluth and several Disney animators left the studio in the 80's because they loathed the lack of quality and effort the animation studio was producing at the time. While a box-office failure it was a critical success and inspired Steven Spielberg enough to invest in the studios and make follow-up films An American Tail and The Land Before Time.
Dannielle A

The book is better.
Chris B

One of my favorite childhood animation films is still fresh and satisfying with it's dark atmosphere and dark themed characters and plot. I love when films like this aren't dumbed down because it takes a lot of the sense of fear out of them, The Secret of NIMH is dark and… More
One of my favorite childhood animation films is still fresh and satisfying with it's dark atmosphere and dark themed characters and plot. I love when films like this aren't dumbed down because it takes a lot of the sense of fear out of them, The Secret of NIMH is dark and terrifying, even as an adult. A great film and a classic Don Bluth film and one of his best in my opinion. I Highly Recommend this to anyone, child or adult!
Alec B

Its pretty standard for American animation in the 80s which on the whole was incredibly dark, terrifying, and had at least one earth shattering death. I'm glad that for a short time, animators thought of kids as being more complex than they do now. I firmly believe that hiding… More
Its pretty standard for American animation in the 80s which on the whole was incredibly dark, terrifying, and had at least one earth shattering death. I'm glad that for a short time, animators thought of kids as being more complex than they do now. I firmly believe that hiding death from kids leads to emotional problems later in life because if they don't learn to deal with loss now, they won't when they are older. Its one of many reasons I'm glad that I grew up with animated films from this era, because they lead to educating discussions with my parents. The finale is rushed too much, but on the whole its an engaging fantasy film and I'd like to also point out it features a great unsung Jerry Goldsmith score.
Curt C

An amazing animated film that truly does transport you into a new world. Shockingly deep, NIMH has aged incredibly well and is even more entertaining to watch as an adult.
Sunil J

Based on a kick-ass book that should be remade. I thought it was okay as a kid but wow. The animation was kinda iffy and the story was okay but it brought up all these things and never answered them. She's amazed the rats have electricity and it's never explained how. It… More
Based on a kick-ass book that should be remade. I thought it was okay as a kid but wow. The animation was kinda iffy and the story was okay but it brought up all these things and never answered them. She's amazed the rats have electricity and it's never explained how. It didn't even mention how they learned to read!!
Chad R

One of my favorite childhood cartoons. Great voice acting, especially by Dom DeLuise who really cracked me up. Kids still love this movie about super intelligent mice and rats who have become so humanlike, treachery and scheming become part of their natures. Tiny Heroes and… More
One of my favorite childhood cartoons. Great voice acting, especially by Dom DeLuise who really cracked me up. Kids still love this movie about super intelligent mice and rats who have become so humanlike, treachery and scheming become part of their natures. Tiny Heroes and villians turn the average field, rose bush, and yard into a living, breathing environment. The mixture of intelligence and darkness make this a unique experience, especially in 1982 when it seemed Disney had a monopoly of all cartoon movies. Disney movies are mostly light and fluffy with typical endings. This cartoon has none of that. I remember the dark themes as a youth of 7 or 8 when I first watched it. Some scenes stuck with me. Mrs. Brisby's frantic fight for freedom when trapped, her heroic efforts to save her son Timmy from sickness. Being scared of The Great Owl with his gnarled talons as he finished eating one of Mrs. Brisby's neighbors. Old Nicodemus's apperance and voice. And especially the final scene where the Rats attempt to move Mrs. Brisby's home in a rainstorm and the fight between Jenner and Justin. Hasn't seemed to lose much for me in the past 25 years..
FanGirl B

As with most adapations the book's better.
Marion R

I think this movie would be too scary for children. i thought it was really good.
Sean S

One of my favourite cartoons as a kid.