The Incredibles

R 2004 Animation · Nearly two hours that flies by thanks to perfect pacing between character moments and action.
Universal masterpiece
8.0/10
IMDb
90
90/100
Metacritic
4.07/5
Letterboxd
🎬
7.7/10
TMDB
Rewatch
annual tradition
Attention
full focus
Phone-check
low
Ages
holds up

The brief

Brad Bird's superhero family adventure hits that sweet spot where kids get colorful action and adults get genuinely smart writing about mid-life crisis and family dynamics. The animation still holds up beautifully, but it's Craig T. Nelson's weary dad energy and Holly Hunter's fierce mom instincts that make this feel real despite all the cape-wearing. It moves at a perfect clip, balancing intimate character moments with some of the best action sequences Pixar ever animated. Perfect for anyone who thinks superhero movies work better when they're actually about something, or parents who want to watch something with their kids that won't make them want to leave the room.

family superhero adventure midlife crisis comedy retro-futuristic wholesome action pixar heart cape-wearing nostalgia

The verdict

If you want a superhero movie that actually cares about character development and family relationships while delivering spectacular action, this is Pixar firing on all cylinders with smart writing that works for both kids and adults. If you're looking for edgy superhero content or prefer live-action over animation, the family-friendly tone and cartoon format might feel too lightweight for your tastes.

Watch with

  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect family movie night choice
  • 🧒 Kids will love the action and humor
  • 👫 Adults get the midlife crisis themes

Heads up

  • Superhero action violence throughout (moderate)
  • Child endangerment in action sequences (moderate)
  • Brief plane explosion scene (brief)

Credits

Director
Brad Bird
Cast
Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Jason Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Peña
Official synopsis

Bob Parr has given up his superhero days to log in time as an insurance adjuster and raise his three children

The Double

Make a night of it
Poster for Speed Racer

Pair this with Speed Racer (2008)

Both colorful family adventures celebrating heroic legacies and finding your identity.

Total runtime: 1h 55m + 2h 15m = 4h 10m

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