The Jungle Book
Stream
Rent & Buy
After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli, a man-cub fostered by wolves, is forced to flee the jungle, and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear, Baloo.
What critics thought
Favreau's remake won over most critics on the strength of its landmark visual effects and a stellar voice cast, with Idris Elba's Shere Khan drawing particular praise as a genuinely menacing villain. The main fault line in reviews is whether the film has a coherent identity — admirers see it standing confidently on its own terms, while detractors argue it neither commits to faithful remake nor bold reinvention, leaving it visually dazzling but emotionally hollow. The retained musical numbers also divided critics, with some finding them charming holdovers and others calling them awkward interruptions in what might otherwise have been a leaner adventure.
“Exceptionally beautiful to behold and bolstered by a stellar vocal cast, this umpteenth film rendition of Rudyard Kipling's tales of young Mowgli's adventures amongst the creatures of the Indian jungle proves entirely engaging, even if it's ultimately lacking in subtext and thematic heft”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“His loping menace is envisioned so powerfully that he'd be scary no matter what, but the character becomes a great villain through imaginative empathy. We understand and appreciate his point-of-view, even though carrying it out would mean the death of Mowgli”
Matt Zoller Seitz·RogerEbert.com
“Jon Favreau draws heavily on his film's animated predecessor for plot, characterizations, songs, and set pieces, but doesn't know how to fit these familiar elements into his own coherent vision”
Sam C. Mac·Slant Magazine
“the better these talking beasts look, the more the film resembles a gorgeous screen saver. You admire The Jungle Book, but you can't lose yourself in it”
Rene Rodriguez·Miami Herald
“manages to be just scary enough to make us feel the danger of solitude in the middle of a massive jungle, but never indulgent or gratuitous”
Bilge Ebiri·The Village Voice
Accolades
Genres
Action, Adventure, Animation
Cast & Crew
Jon FavreauDirector
Neel SethiMowgli
Bill MurrayBaloo (voice)
Ben KingsleyBagheera (voice)
Idris ElbaShere Khan (voice)
Scarlett JohanssonKaa (voice)
Christopher WalkenKing Louie (voice)
Lupita Nyong'oRaksha (voice)
Giancarlo EspositoAkela (voice)
Garry ShandlingIkki (voice)
Emjay AnthonyYoung Wolf #1 (voice)Jon FavreauPygmy Hog (voice)
John DebneyComposer
Justin MarksWriter
Rudyard KiplingWriter
Bill PopeCinematographyThe Jungle Book
After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli, a man-cub fostered by wolves, is forced to flee the jungle, and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear, Baloo.
What critics thought
Favreau's remake won over most critics on the strength of its landmark visual effects and a stellar voice cast, with Idris Elba's Shere Khan drawing particular praise as a genuinely menacing villain. The main fault line in reviews is whether the film has a coherent identity — admirers see it standing confidently on its own terms, while detractors argue it neither commits to faithful remake nor bold reinvention, leaving it visually dazzling but emotionally hollow. The retained musical numbers also divided critics, with some finding them charming holdovers and others calling them awkward interruptions in what might otherwise have been a leaner adventure.
“Exceptionally beautiful to behold and bolstered by a stellar vocal cast, this umpteenth film rendition of Rudyard Kipling's tales of young Mowgli's adventures amongst the creatures of the Indian jungle proves entirely engaging, even if it's ultimately lacking in subtext and thematic heft”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“His loping menace is envisioned so powerfully that he'd be scary no matter what, but the character becomes a great villain through imaginative empathy. We understand and appreciate his point-of-view, even though carrying it out would mean the death of Mowgli”
Matt Zoller Seitz·RogerEbert.com
“Jon Favreau draws heavily on his film's animated predecessor for plot, characterizations, songs, and set pieces, but doesn't know how to fit these familiar elements into his own coherent vision”
Sam C. Mac·Slant Magazine
“the better these talking beasts look, the more the film resembles a gorgeous screen saver. You admire The Jungle Book, but you can't lose yourself in it”
Rene Rodriguez·Miami Herald
“manages to be just scary enough to make us feel the danger of solitude in the middle of a massive jungle, but never indulgent or gratuitous”
Bilge Ebiri·The Village Voice
Accolades
Genres
Action, Adventure, Animation
Cast & Crew
Jon FavreauDirectorNeel SethiMowgliBill MurrayBaloo (voice)Ben KingsleyBagheera (voice)Idris ElbaShere Khan (voice)Scarlett JohanssonKaa (voice)Christopher WalkenKing Louie (voice)Lupita Nyong'oRaksha (voice)Giancarlo EspositoAkela (voice)Garry ShandlingIkki (voice)Emjay AnthonyYoung Wolf #1 (voice)Jon FavreauPygmy Hog (voice)John DebneyComposerJustin MarksWriterRudyard KiplingWriterBill PopeCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy