The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH

Movie spotlight

The Secret of NIMH

1982
Movie
83 min
English

A widowed field mouse must move her family -- including an ailing son -- to escape a farmer's plow. Aided by a crow and a pack of superintelligent, escaped lab rats, the brave mother struggles to transplant her home to firmer ground.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users89%
Director: Don BluthGenres: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Adventure

Plot Summary

A widowed field mouse desperately seeks a new home for herself and her children before a farmer plows under their field. Her search leads her to a colony of highly intelligent rats who have escaped from a mysterious government laboratory known as NIMH. She must enlist their help to move her home, navigating dangerous secrets and a formidable owl.

Critical Reception

The Secret of NIMH was met with critical acclaim for its stunning animation, dark and mature themes, and emotional depth, which was a departure from many contemporary animated films. It is often praised as a masterpiece of traditional animation and a beloved classic for its compelling story and memorable characters.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its beautiful, detailed animation and sophisticated storytelling.

  • Applauded for its mature and sometimes frightening themes, appealing to older audiences.

  • Recognized for its emotional resonance and strong female protagonist.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly appreciate the film's artistry, character development, and enduring appeal. Many recall it fondly from childhood, praising its complex narrative and the quality of its hand-drawn animation.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Fun Fact

The film was Don Bluth's first directorial effort after leaving Walt Disney Productions, and it aimed to bring back the artistic quality and darker storytelling that he felt was missing from Disney's output at the time.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
RealZero

RealZero

This is still one of my favorite animated movies. It combines so many different emotions so well: a cute and loving family, the urgency and danger of fleeing (/moving) your home with dangerous and action-filled scenes, and dark and scary...