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DramaFantasyAdventure Sundance 2012 · Grand Jury Prize

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Directed by Benh Zeitlin · 2012 ·

Short answer

Is Beasts of the Southern Wild worth watching?

Yes. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) earns a 79% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (86%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (76%). See the 4 inputs.

79%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

86% Editorial Rating
76% Audience snapshot · excluded
86 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
7.2 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 33m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12A (UK) · M (Australia)
Cast
Quvenzhané Wallis , Dwight Henry , Levy Easterly , Gina Montana , Lowell Landes , Pamela Harper , Amber Henry , Jonshel Alexander , Nicholas Clark , Joseph Brown
Streaming
HBO Max, Cinemax
Country
Canada
Language
English

Also known as Bestias del Sur Bestias del sur salvaje Les Bêtes du sud sauvage Indomável Sonhadora ハッシュパピー ～バスタブ島の少女～ 비스트 南国野兽 南方野獸樂園

Where to watch

  • HBO Max
  • Cinemax

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Beasts of the Southern Wild by country

Country Streaming on
United Kingdom StudioCanal Presents, Sundance Now
United States HBO Max, Cinemax

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (86/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (76%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (86/100).
  • Celluloid Score 79% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, fantasy, adventure pick
  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Beasts of the Southern Wild worth watching?

    Yes — Beasts of the Southern Wild earns a 79% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, fantasy, adventure pick.

    Celluloid verdict

    Beasts of the Southern Wild — Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2012. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (86%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (76%).

    What is Beasts of the Southern Wild about?

    Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink, in 'the Bathtub', a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. Wink’s tough love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe—for a time when he’s no longer there to protect her. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack—temperatures rise and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. With the waters rising, the aurochs coming, and Wink’s health fading, Hushpuppy goes in search of her lost mother.

    Watch the Trailer

    Beasts of the Southern Wild stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 1
    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 2
    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 3
    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 4
    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 5
    Beasts of the Southern Wild production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

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    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Beasts of the Southern Wild: frequently asked questions

    Is Beasts of the Southern Wild worth watching?

    Yes. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) has a Celluloid Score of 79%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Beasts of the Southern Wild?

    In the United States, Beasts of the Southern Wild streams on HBO Max, Cinemax with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: StudioCanal Presents, Sundance Now in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Beasts of the Southern Wild?

    Beasts of the Southern Wild runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

    What is Beasts of the Southern Wild rated?

    Beasts of the Southern Wild is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12A in the UK and M in Australia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Beasts of the Southern Wild?

    Beasts of the Southern Wild is directed by Benh Zeitlin and stars Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Gina Montana, Lowell Landes.

    What is the Metascore for Beasts of the Southern Wild?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Beasts of the Southern Wild is 86 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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