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Willow
1988 126 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.0
Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Director: Ron Howard
Trailers
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Description
The evil Queen Bavmorda hunts the newborn princess Elora Danan, a child prophesied to bring about her downfall. When the royal infant is found by Willow, a timid farmer and aspiring sorcerer, he's entrusted with delivering her from evil.
Budget:
$35M
US Gross:
$57.27M
Worldwide:
$57.3M
Starring
Val Kilmer
Actor
Joanne Whalley
Actor
Warwick Davis
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Costume Design
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Fantasy Film
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Young Performer
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Visual Effects
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Screenplay
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Sound Editing
Academy Awards 1989
— Best Visual Effects
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Supporting Actress
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Supporting Actor
Key opinion
Willow is widely remembered as a charming and nostalgic fairy-tale adventure that successfully establishes an immersive magical world. While some critics find the plot derivative and its tropes clichéd, audiences largely embrace it as a wholesome, rewatchable classic defined by its heart and character dynamics.
| Acting | Warwick Davis delivers a charismatic, sincere performance that anchors the film as its emotional core. | |
| Production | The film features groundbreaking 1980s special effects that remain impressive and effectively support its immersive world-building. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between Val Kilmer's roguish Madmartigan and the supporting ensemble provides necessary humor and depth. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative relies on predictable good-versus-evil archetypes and formulaic storytelling conventions. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided between those who see it as a heartwarming, timeless fairy tale and those who find its plot structure cliché-ridden and lacking in intellectual depth. |