Yellow Submarine (2012)

95% of critics liked it
(40 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(43,645 ratings)

Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor, where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot, however, concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt.… More Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor, where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot, however, concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life. The swirling animation is a mixture of pop-culture images and modern artistic styles brought loosely together with a naïve antiwar message and some clever political commentary. The Blue Meanies take over Pepperland, draining it of all its color and music, firing anti-music missiles, bonking people with green apples, and turning the inhabitants to stone by way of the pointed finger of a giant white glove. As the only survivor, the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and goes to London to enlist the help of the Beatles (voiced by actors). The charming and innocent boys travel through strange worlds and meet bizarre characters, including the tagalong Nowhere Man. Several blissed-filled musical sequences and drug references later, the Beatles drive out the Blue Meanies and restore Pepperland to tranquility armed with only music, love, and witty remarks. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: George Dunning, Dick Emery
Written By: Lee Minoff, John Lennon, Al Brodax, Erich Segal, Jack Mendelsohn
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Cult Movies, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 10, 2012 Limited
On DVD: Sep 14, 1999
Studio: Independent Pictures

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
If the result seems less a coherent story than a two-hour pot high, Submarine is still a breakthrough combination of the feature film and art's intimacy with the unconscious.
Variety Staff, Variety
Here are all the ingredients of a novel entertainment.
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
This 1968 Beatles musical gets somewhat plot heavy near the end, but it's a marvel of innocence and free association, blending several animation techniques in a loose narrative full of gentle bad puns and flowing visual segues.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The animation is imaginatively conceived, but stiffly executed.
Renata Adler, New York Times
Yellow Submarine is a family movie in the truest sense.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Almost 20 years after its release, this charming fable chronicling the Beatles' battles to save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies is one of the best testaments ever to the redeeming value of good music.
, Total Film
What a trip.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Beatles classic with great animation, music.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Truly one of the finest animated films and one of the finest cinematic musicals of all time.
Caroline Westbrook, Empire Magazine
A garish, gorgeous example of pop art at its finest.
, Film4
There's a quiet note of melancholy in much of this material, which is much more persuasive and concrete than the larky, intoxicating pleasure usually claimed for the film.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A zesty, satisfying celebration of animation, fantasy, love, and the Beatles that pleases the eyes as much as the ears.
, Time Out
There's such a wide disparity of graphic styles from sequence to sequence. Some of them, though, still look terrific.
John Wirt, Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Not a splendid time for all.
Gregory Weinkauf, ÜberCiné
A movie so joyous (and mildly demented) as to rewrite the rules of what a movie can be.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Inventive animated feature. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Martyn Bamber, Senses of Cinema
The music and images take the film into uncharted territory and you never know where the film will go next.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Colin M

Amazing illustration, and let me repeat, AMAZING ILLUSTRATION. The animation pervades the film and grants us the psychedelic experience of a lifetime accompanied by the timeless music of The Beatles and a very trippy plot. Sadly, the plot is more suited to young children and those… More
Amazing illustration, and let me repeat, AMAZING ILLUSTRATION. The animation pervades the film and grants us the psychedelic experience of a lifetime accompanied by the timeless music of The Beatles and a very trippy plot. Sadly, the plot is more suited to young children and those who are influenced by hallucinogenic drugs and lacks actual voice acting by The Beatles themselves, who merely make a last minute live action appearance which is all too brief and only leaves us wishing for more of the actual fab four. If you are looking for great hand-drawn animation, a trippy plotline, and an AMAZING soundtrack and love The Beatles then you have something for you here.
Chris W

I don't mean to sound trite, but they should just rename this film "Drug Trip: The Movie" and be done with it. Seriously. Ok then, with that out of the way, I must say, this is a bit of a hard film to really rate or review. Obviously I'm gonna have to do just… More
I don't mean to sound trite, but they should just rename this film "Drug Trip: The Movie" and be done with it. Seriously. Ok then, with that out of the way, I must say, this is a bit of a hard film to really rate or review. Obviously I'm gonna have to do just that, but it is a bit difficult for me. This fantasy centered around The Beatles going out to stop a bunch of creatures caleld Blue Meanies who have taken over a place called Pepperland combines the terrific music of The Beatles with really cool and unique art disrection and visual styles to create a film that is really just an otherworldlt experience. Just so you know, I didn't see this high, but I did have a couple of drinks. I really cn't say what would be the best way to experience this film. I leave that up to you. There's a story, but it's pretty much just a thin clothesline to hang some great tunes and trippy visuals on. This will probably not appeal to some people, but, I at least got something out of it, even if I don't truly know how I feel about this film-hence why my rating is mainly a formaility. I do think this should be seen though, because it is entertaining, and there's some wild stuff going on, even if it does get a bit too self indulgant with the psychedelia. At least there's the music and some subtle, dry humor to make the film more than just trippiness.
AJ V

The Beatles' animated fantasy adventure movie is a must see for any fan, or if you just love animated movies. It's very fun, and I really liked it.
Mark H

Cinematically dazzling tale of the Beatles who save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies with their music. Joyous!
Curtis L

I wish it were better, but i still like some of it.
Lafe F

Music and motion and color are made into Beatle's art. I loved it. The story was great fantasy, which kids could delight in. The songs were powerful and catchy. I liked the experience of it all, with its unique style of animation and imaginative plotline. They've crafted… More
Music and motion and color are made into Beatle's art. I loved it. The story was great fantasy, which kids could delight in. The songs were powerful and catchy. I liked the experience of it all, with its unique style of animation and imaginative plotline. They've crafted fitting images and scenes for each of the Beatles tunes chosen. A 60's classic storybook tale. Favorite Scenes: Eleanor Rigby music synchronization with the classic black and white people photos - and the "Nowhere Man" song when the Beatles are singing on a rotating disc and stepping through an archway of colors; everything seems so meant-to-be and awesome.
xGary X

An interesting snapshot into the time and mentality of when it was made. Overly self-indulgent and psychadelic in places, but you can't argue with the songs.
Stuart B

An interesting if odd little tale
Michael G

If you like the Beatles and feeling like you're on drugs you'll love it.
Audra H

If you're a fan of the Beatles, like I am, you'll find this movie to be a real trip of fun and love that lives up to their name.
Sunil J

I like it for about 10 minutes but I don't find it funny or entertaining past that point.
Marion R

Beatles animated, in a splendid long music video.
Alex F

We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine... a must-see for psychodelia and Beatles fans. I love both of them, so I enjoy this one like Robert Downey Jr. would enjoy a free shot of heroin. Oh, that was unpolite.
m h

The most random thing ever. You should see it...just for the funny (in a weird way)dialogue. C'mon Kinky boot beasts..? Hilarious..."I gotta hole in my pocket"...OMG! So strange. Drug Induced. But such goooood songs!
Lee K

one of my fave cartoons growing up and how can you go wrong with the soundtrack? A definate must see for any beatle enthusiast
Anthony V

Come on. Is there really someone who doesn't like this movie?