Queen of Katwe

  • U (INDIA)
  • 2016


MOVIE IS inspirational beautiful uplifting oppressive predictable
Close Video

82 %
93 % Certified Fresh
$ 1 Million
See Where to Watch Queen of Katwe
Positive Reviews 163
Negative reviews 11
Average Rating 3.6/5
inspirational beautiful uplifting oppressive predictable

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
3.0
Director Mira Nair has a proven ability to find beauty in the most desperate of circumstances, and Queen Of Katwe is no different. Av Club
4.5
But mostly, theres the fact that you dont have to have read ESPN writer Tim Crothers book on Phiona to know how this story turns out. Av Club
3.0
type Movie Current Status In Season mpaa PG runtime 124 minutes release date 09/23/16 director Mira Nair genre Drama We gave it a C+ Lupita Nyongo rad .. EW
3.8
That sense of ownership and authorship permeates Queen of Katwe, elevating it above your average feel good biopic and allowing its message to feel not .. Rogerebert
4.0
That kind of stuff makes the movie a bit too intense for younger elementary schoolers, but tweens and up should definitely see it. Common Sense Media
3.0
The Disney produced story simply lacks any genuine sense of urgency. Indie Wire
1.5
The movies bright colors and breezy tone operate on the same wavelength theyre pretty and endearing, but otherwise dont leave much of an impression. Indie Wire
4.5
Oyelowo further establishes himself as one of todays finest leading men, bringing deep emotional reserves, an innate sense of goodness, and a playful .. Variety
3.5
Theres enough beauty, compassion and uplifting spirit to Queen Of Katwe that deserves your attention. We Got This Covered
4.0
If the uplifting underdog story of Phiona Mutesi didnt exist, Disney might have invented it. Time Out
4.0
As feelgood stories of empowerment go, this has a ring of authenticity and mixes intelligence with irreducible emotional immediacy. The Guardian
3.0
Its a heartfelt movie, which makes up in warmth what it lacks in narrative originality. The Guardian
4.0
Whats instead key is the earnestness and the exuberance, executed with a conviction that makes this that rare thing: a kids hobby movie where somethin .. The Guardian
3.8
From the sunny compositions to the exquisite costumes, Nair crafts a remarkable sense of people and place for what is, in essence, a studio crowd plea ..
3.1
But beneath the hackneyed aphorisms, theres a thrilling story worthy of our attention.
2.5
Only then do we get a piercing sense of real life hardship and struggle that the film too often soft pedals for feel good comfort. Screen Daily
4.0
The film is canny enough to make sure Phiona has an arc as well, and its one that digs into the complexity of her economic station.A simplistic approa .. Collider
3.5
Unfortunately, so can the audience: The inspirational true story of the Ugandan girls ascent through the competitive ranks lays out its pieces and str .. The Hollywood Reporter
3.5
Against the odds, Queen of Katwe rises above the usual underdog sports cliches to become something quite affecting and distinctive, an outcome made al ..
3.5
Nor does it suggest that winning chess matches is a magical solution to the worlds injustice. The New York Times
4.0
The twosome give Mira Nairs rainbow toned pick me up about a young Ugandan chess prodigy exactly the magnetic charge it needs to stick. Telegraph
3.8
The not to be missed end credit sequence speaks much more to the heart of the movie than what we see before the film fades to black.But there are more .. San Francisco Chronicle
4.0
Acclaimed Indian director Mira Nair takes this fairly standard underdog tale and turns it into a feat of gorgeous filmmaking. The Young Folks
4.0
Its plot isnt going to win any prizes for originality, but Nair tells the story with immense warmth and cheer.You can see just about every move coming ..
4.0
Although the script is a little flat just because the story is true doesnt mean it should feel so predictable Nair gives the film tons of energy and j .. Ny Daily News
3.0
Nair, as a director, does succeed in delivering touching familial drama as well as charming character moments throughout Queen of Katwe; yet at the sa .. Screen Rant
3.8
Ultimately, Queen of Katwe fosters a belief in the triumph of merit and talent. And that message is definitely applicable to Western kids. Philly
3.5
While evoking apathy by depicting extreme hardships, it also manages to uplift your spirit.
3.5
While evoking apathy by depicting extreme hardships, it also manages to uplift your spirit.
3.0
One of the films major selling points is its ability to convey the colorful texture of the Ugandan locations. One Guys Opinion
4.0
Queen of Katwe is a true life tale transformed into an inspirational fable. Thats not novel for the movies, but in this directors hands, the results a .. Village Voice
3.8
Nair downplays the faith part of faith based and focuses on the class warfare unmannered and uncultured poor kids proving they can hold their own, int .. Rogers Movie Nation
3.0
Its set in Africa, and while it depicts poverty and hardships, its not swallowed whole by scenes of brutal violence, treasuring culture. Blu Ray
4.0
The kids may not be great actors, and their accented English can be difficult to understand, but their natural spirit and gumption are unteachable qua .. Chicago Reader
3.8
The film is based on Mutesis life story, but Wheelers screenplay avoids the trappings of biography to tell a bigger story. Mark Reviews Movies
2.0
The movie gets a heartening uplift at the very end as the cast is paired with their real life counterparts over closing credits.
3.8
The movie cant quite escape the inherent sports drama cliches, but what Nair does exceptionally well are the chess playing scenes. Usa Today
4.0
Even with a clearly signposted ending, it still manages to offer surprises. The Times
4.0
This Disney drama manages to avoid patronising sentimentality with an uplifting and punchy look at the conflicts faced by 14 year old Phiona, whose am .. The Times
3.0
Its no small thing for minorities to see themselves represented in movies, especially a major release from an influential studio like Disney.That is i .. Eric Ds Nider
2.0
The film is so moistly noble and lifeless that it could be a museum installationit makes you feel like a monster just for hating it. News Review
4.0
Anchored by terrific performances by Oyelowo and Nyongo and a killer real life rags to riches story (the real Mutesi later became a chess champion), t .. Radio Times
3.5
Or maybe it was the films running time of a bit more than two hours that made it feel not quite as tight as it could and likely should have been. Screen It
4.0
It is a thoroughly heartwarming story in which youre rooting so hard for the heroine that you scarcely notice how contrived some of Nairs dramatic gam .. Independent
3.8
Inspirational can be a dirty word at the movies, suggesting fake uplift and sugary excess. Rolling Stone
3.5
Its not enough to describe Dead Man as simply an anti western; its an iconoclastic deconstruction of late 19th Century American values and mores, many .. Pop Matters
3.5
This humanistic tale, helmed by a masterful filmmaker, offers a potent and yes, inspirational story of triumph against huge odds. The Wrap
3.8
That, along with several solid performances and the vibrant backdrop of Uganda, makes this upbeat Disney movie worth recommending. News Day
3.0
Well, it is shameless, and it tugs the heart in all the obvious places, but it has a winning vivaciousness and a trio of performances by its lead acto .. Cs Monitor
3.0
But the script here seemsjust too Disneyfied, for it makes almost every character the absolute epitome of goodness and nobility, and every ugly or unf .. Film Journal
3.1
This being a Disney film, its understandable, but the blandified result often feels more like a by the numbers fairy tale than the triumphant true sto .. New York Post
4.5
This movie is as much a romantic homage to the melodramas of the past as it is a radical, path breaking piece of modern filmmaking. Hindustan Times
3.8
It may not be enough to inspire a wave of chess enthusiasts, but parents loaded with rec league expenses may wish it would. Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
4.0
The good news is Disneyfication is not a factor.Nair has invested the story with too much of the hum and bustle of African street life for that. Smh
3.5
It isnt Salaam Bombay! it cant be Salaam Bombay! but the same sensibility is present, insisting on a deeper social context than the material demands. Npr
3.1
A Disney branded movie is never going to stray far from the studios beloved theme of discovering yourself through family friendly struggles. Toronto Star
3.5
Queen of Katwes originality comes not in its story but in its setting, explored by Nair with her usual skill at establishing a sense of place. Slate
4.0
Combining a commercial sensibility with a knack for well crafted characters, Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Reluctant Fundamentalist) delivers a conf .. Flim List
3.5
And the charming closing credits feature the actors standing alongside their real life counterparts. Susang Ranger
3.8
Warm up to its miraculous facts and only the coldest heart will remain unthawed. Observer
4.0
The one thing that shines the brightest in the film is the casts stunning performances. Book My Show
3.0
In Mira Nairs charming, fairy tale like film Queen of Katwe, David Oyelowo, talented newcomer Madina Nalwanga and Academy Award winner Lupita Nyongo h .. Boston Herald
4.5
It doesnt go looking for queens of the kind found on drab chessboards either. The New Indian Express
4.4
Nairs film, her best in a long time, is hardly the first to use a chessboard as a symbol of one lifes struggles. It is, however, one of the best. Chicago Tribune
3.8
Id say that the Walt Disney Company and ESPN Films are to be commended for producing Queen of Katwe, a family film set in Uganda with an all black cas .. Boston Globe
3.5
Sometimes the need to survive is the strongest family tie of all. Uproxx
4.0
Kudos to director Mira Nair, the talented Indian American filmmaker behind Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay! for keeping it real and simultaneously f .. The Irish Times
3.0
The tension between Phionas impoverished home life and increasingly glamorous career as a chess prodigy provides the movies most rewarding drama, and .. Las Vegas Weekly
4.0
But neither does it feel like just another charming underdog story. The Atlantic
4.0
With a story that works on multiple levels for young and adult audiences and outstanding performances, its definitely a family film worth checking out .. Lyles Movie Files
4.0
Director Mira Nair has struggled for years to match the intensity of her 1988 debut, Salaam Bombay! Standard
4.4
Nair depicts this transition with delicious restraint, the youngsters failures pointedly cruel, while her triumphs brought honest tears to my eyes I w .. Movie Freak
3.0
But Nair brings a worldly texture to the film and grounds it in a way that makes it a relateable underdog tale for all. Detroit News
3.8
If the slums look just a bit more colorful and clean than in real life, chalk it up to the films ambition to be essentially honest without traumatizin .. Groucho Reviews
4.0
This is a compelling story by its own right, but the emotional impact is given significant weight by the films performances. Forbes
4.0
It is the family portrait, one of constant improvisation and bartering, tragedy and triumph, that gives the picture its kick more than the underdog sp .. Forbes
4.5
It is hard to think of a film in 2016 that has not been better cast from the first lead actors right down to the last extras. Herald Sun
4.5
As a result, one isnt left with any rousing speeches or memorable comebacks. Tumblr
3.0
Its a sports film with vibrant color and life everywhere around the black and white game pieces.And the pacing is never a problem in Katwe, with Afro .. Consequence Of Sound
4.0
The film doesnt aestheticize her poverty, and it doesnt treat it sentimentally, because Harriet doesnt either. Vox
3.0
But sometimes theres a comfortability of sorts to this sense of familiarity, indulging in a film that plays out just as you hope and expect it to and .. Hey U Guys
3.0
The picture is genuinely entertaining and moving, but the fact it even exists in the first place is something you simply cannot dismiss. The Play List
2.0
Theyve taken a great true story and turned it into an easily digestible, utterly predictable formula picture. Now Toronto
3.5
This slumdog champion story has a mandated happy ending, but it is satisfyingly hard won. Scroll
3.5
Take Nair out of the equation, and youd be looking at another tired formulaic underdog flick with all the right components but no heart. Film School Rejects
4.0
The strongest piece of Mira Nairs joyous Queen of Katwe is Madina Nalwanga. Cine Vue
2.0
But it is an above average entry for the genre and another success in a surprisingly strong year for Disney (inexplicable Alice in Wonderland sequel n .. Tamp A Bay
4.0
Biographical against the odds dramas can often suffer from being cliched, but Queen of Katwe manages to be truly life affirming and inspirational with .. Raidió Teilifís Éireann
3.0
Given its predictability, the material feels rather over stretched at 124 minutes, but the time passes easily enough. Lw Lies
3.5
The latest film from award winning veteran Indian filmmaker Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) is a feelgood underdog story everyone in the family can enjoy .. Nz Herald
3.8
Chess isnt the most cinematic of pastimes, yet Nair finds ways to make each match as exciting as any soccer or basketball game. Kansas City
3.8
Final verdict A sweet film that sticks to a tried and true formula and still manages to inspire. Red Eye Chicago
4.0
Queen of Katwe is an exceptional movie anchored by great acting, a life affirming story and the proof there are diamonds hidden all around us just wai .. Stl Today
3.8
What redeems Queen of Katwe is the performance of Oyelowo, who imbues Katende with an exhilarating blend of humor and humanity. Stl Today
3.5
The lack of a white savior spares this Disney family film from being a schmaltzy embarrassment. The Stranger
2.0
The Queen of Katwe is a sports movie for people who dont like sports movies. A tearjerker for those who dont like tearjerkers. An inspirational story .. Cleve Land
3.5
It shirks the typical Disney model of an untouchable, picturesque fantasy by telling a more grounded, human story coursing with love and earnestness. Screen Crush
4.0
For every clich the film indulges, another is skirted, and another subverted. By the end, every ounce of feelgood is deserved. Ft
3.5
This tale is not just a cinema centric hypothetical coated in emotional syrup. Film Racket
4.0
But its plenty clever and heartwarming; Nair has crafted an engaging, moving ode to the power of potential. Vanity Fair
4.0
But this unusually affecting film, directed by Mira Nair, transcends the familiar formula. Wsj
4.0
The writing by Hollywood ace William Wheeler is predictable but perfectly designed to let genuine emotions tug at your heart strings. FilmFare
3.0
Just because its based on a true story doesnt mean it has to be predictable. Patriot Ledger
4.4
1 of 8 View Caption In this image released by Disney, Lupita Nyongo, left, and Madina Nalwanga appear in a scene from Queen of Katwe. Sltrib
3.8
Queen of Katwe: Uplifting story of playing chess for success Whether you live in McFarland USA or down the street from Glory Road, its a hardly a Mira .. Chicago Sun Times
3.9
At least it follows its formula with enough genuine warmth to lift it up from banality. Nyc Movie Guru
3.5
The winning moves it makes keep on coming right through to the enjoyable closing credits. Punch Drunk Critics
3.0
And kudos to Disney for leaving a few rough edges on its smoothly built piece of family entertainment. Sandiego Reader
4.0
Its harder than ever to make a sports movie that isnt like every one before it. Cinemix Tape
3.0
Nair makes sure theres a real person with real skill and real passion working the levers, imbuing even the corniest moment with real feeling. Metro New York
4.0
This panorama of humanity spills out over all four edges of the screen.We immediately see that Katwes poverty hasnt dulled its citizens appetites for .. Film Comment
4.0
Perhaps its slightly formulaic, but as its how the real events unfolded its all the more touching and triumphant. One Room With A View
4.0
Its great surprise is the reminder of what a passion for storytelling and a talent for filmmaking can do with that simple, reliable model which is mak .. Sbs
5.0
TORONTO Park Chan wook is one of our most formally baroque filmmakers, and his latest picture The Handmaiden doesnt disappoint on that score every com .. Flavor Wire
4.5
Dave and Alonso discuss some welcome September surprises, plus the two classic films that led to a just OK remake now in theaters. Bitly
4.0
It brings in all the triumph and satisfaction of a conventional sports movie while skipping the conventional routine. The Verge
3.0
While some might consider chess a bit of a stretch when it comes to being a sport, the films infectious charm cant be denied. Bowling Green Daily News
4.4
And, most important: What matters isnt losing, but finding the strength to reset your pieces and start again. Seattle Times
3.5
Nair rightly keeps these harder yet realistic elements within the film, but she also manages to toe the Disney party line.Its an admirable feat. The Mary Sue
4.5
In the end, the obvious weaknesses in Queen of Katwes script hardly matter, as most viewers will realize that theyve discovered something new and wort .. Film Journal International ..
4.0
Theres a palpable, almost visceral sense of warmth and love coursing through Nairs film. Fresh Fiction
4.0
The story hits plenty of familiar beats, yet its setting and the actors conviction combine to give it a feel good freshness. Seven Day Svt
4.5
Proves the kind of movie that makes its plays known several moves in advance, but that doesnt diminish the moving end result. Concrete Play Ground
1.9
No film likes an extended metaphor better than an inspirational sports drama, and nothing quite inspires like an extended metaphor for life. National Post
3.5
While following a familiar formula, its fearlessness of telling a story told in a new perception makes this a worthwhile viewing for anyone wanting so .. Rendy Reviews
4.5
Subtlety isnt Queen of Katwes strongest suit, but it has a big, magnificent heart that most audiences are going to deeply enjoy being near. Third Coast Review
1.0
The Western motif is simply a mechanism to stimulate rote audience responses. National Review
3.5
Hip hop is a braggarts game that can lapse easily into an inner city equivalent of the Four Yorkshiremen sketch. New States Man
4.0
Like 2008s Slumdog Millionaire, this crowd pleaser is bolstered by intelligent scripting, crafted direction and strong performances, making the uplift .. Winnipeg Free Press
3.0
Nair has a great eye, and a great gift for creating vibrant, layered, wonderfully inviting communities on screen. Movie Mom
4.0
Watching chess is like watching grass grow. But this movie is so inspiring it doesnt matter. Tri City Herald
3.5
But true to her reputation, Nair delivers something a little better than one expects of the genre. Toronto Sun
5.0
Why are you fooling around on your laptop when you could be watching this beautiful movie Qc Times
3.0
Rather, youre watching life in all its shades: joyful, messy, devastating, and triumphant. Reel Talk Online
4.5
Her prodigal elder sister tells her: I dont think God cares about us one way or another. Ndtv
3.0
It is a simple but powerful reminder that real people lived out the story beautified for us through film. Stream On Demand At Home
3.8
Its a quiet and sturdy installment to Nairs impressive filmography and an under the radar delight for 2016. Cambridge Day
3.8
This compromise means the story will be seen by many more people than would otherwise have seen it, and that characters whose lives are unfamiliar to .. Heral
3.0
Director Mira Nair rings every ounce of emotion from the inspirational story. Richard Crouse
4.5
While this strongly acted, Disney produced, factually based drama from Indian director Mira Nair tries too hard at times to be inspirational and uplif .. Adelaide Review
4.4
Nyongos remarkable and complex performance is one of perfectly modulated intensity. MLive.com
3.5
The blatant sports movie cliches aside, this is a genuinely moving film with winning performances. Rajeev Masand
4.0
It was refreshing to see director Nair take such an honest look at Africa. Iol Co Za
4.5
Makes painfully plain the tug of war between getting an education and putting food on the table, dreams and survival, the future and right now. L.A. Biz
3.5
The irresistible ringer for gullible audiences is that the movie is based on a true story. Cinema Scope
3.5
HOME NOTAS CARTELERA RESEAAS EN PANTALLA SOUNDTRACK ENTREVISTA RETRATO ZOOM IN TOP 10 BLOGS PELICOMICS THE F SCENE RICARDO POHLENZ ENCUADRE CA Enfil Me
2.0
That triumph doesnt result at the expense of others in any life altering manner unlike in Fresh, where pawns and other pieces are removed from the gam .. City Beat
4.5
Queen of Katwe is remarkable in its characters, its narrative, and its world building, an example of unexpected storytelling that transcends its sport .. Chesapeake Family
3.0
If that doesnt pull at your heartstrings you have more self control than I do. rachelsreviews.net
4.0
Overall, Queen of Katwe is in many ways, classic Disney uplifting and beautiful to watch with an engaging female protagonist at its core. What makes i .. Flick Feast
3.0
Both Nyongo and Oyelowo are fully capable of bringing the intensity and authenticity to their roles representing inspiring real life characters, and o ..
2.0
Phionas story certainly deserves to be told, but its not necessarily the sort of story you expect from Disney, for at least three reasons. Nc Register
3.5
Regrettably, the wonderful performances by Oyelowo, Nyongo, and newcomer Nalwanga arent enough to completely ignore the often patchy rhythm of the sto .. Shadow And Act
4.0
Although Disneys expected charm shakes you out of the story sometimes, surprisingly, they get the mixture of drama and comedy exactly right the whole .. Ib Times
3.8
The honesty of the performances more than makes up for slight amounts of hokiness in the telling. Charlotte Observer
4.0
With its empowering message and determined heroine, the movie finds real inspiration in a remarkable true story. Womens Voices For Change
4.0
When the film starts Phiona doesnt attend school but ekes a living for the family by selling roasted corn. Dogandwolf
4.5
Unlike most Disney and other Western films set in Africa and focused on Black people, this film doesnt employ lazy, racist, heteronormative tropes. Bitch Media
3.0
Though what you see isnt overbearingly oppressive, its impossible to watch this film and not feel your mind and your own world expanding. Family Home Theater
3.0
It isnt as intense as many other chess films, but what it lacks in intensity, it makes up for in warmth, heart, and its inspirational message. Movies With Mae
3.5
Even though his decision doesnt come as a surprise to the audience, its still portrayed with a sense of conviction and poignancy that make it incredib ..
3.5
Despite all the cliches this film doesnt resist, its depiction of the financial hardships of this family and community is unusually clear eyed. Signature Reads
3.0
...hits all the necessary beats of the inspirational sports drama and concludes with a crowning moment of awesome... Playback:stl
3.5
Rooting for scrappy characters to rise to the top makes great entertainment. Sojo
3.0
The ending slightly fizzles, but director Mira Nairs sure, guiding hand, her excellent cast, and the power of the story itself never fails to inspire. A Reel of One's Own
4.0
While Hollywood has long celebrated chess as a great equalizer across race and class an ideal element for an underdog tale it rarely turns its lens on .. Ap
3.8
This is a thoughtful way to showcase the real life people of Katwe who take such pride in this tale. Buffalo
4.5
Director Nair shows more than her skill, which is impressive. Its the love for the country and Phionas story that sets the film apart. Visually its ri .. Amsterdam News
4.4
Both veteran performers Nyongo and Oyelowo give thoughtful and polished performances as the crucial adult presence in the weary but spirited eyes of t .. Critical Movie Critics
3.5
Queen of Katwe walks the line between integrity and accessibility with grace and dignity. Perth Now
3.5
Triumphant celebration of mind of real girl in Africa with help of Pollyanna. . .Vividly filmed on location. . . Score marvelously uses traditions...P .. Mavens Nest
4.5
Queen of Katwe defied my expectations and is a wonderful film to see with your family, but doesnt play it safe like so many family films do. Jamaica Gleaner
1.5
Theres a distinct burden to telling a true story well and this cast and crew shouldered the task bravely. Narrative Muse
4.5
a film that, like the best Disney fare, connects on some deep and profound level with that part of us that still seeks to improve ourselves and, who k .. MovieMail
3.0
Still, theres already a big audience for action moviesin a Western setting before you pull together an insanely illustrious cast.



See Where to Watch Queen of Katwe