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A Monster Calls

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for A Monster Calls PG-13 2017 1h 48m Fantasy Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 264 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little in common with his imperious grandmother. His father has resettled thousands of miles away. But Conor finds a most unlikely ally when the Monster (Liam Neeson) appears at his bedroom window one night. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.
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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls

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Critics Consensus

A Monster Calls deftly balances dark themes and fantastical elements to deliver an engrossing and uncommonly moving entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald Jul 26, 2017
4.5/5
A Monster Calls is an adaptation of a children's book with a title that makes it sound like a horror movie. Neither of these things should obscure the fact that it's the most mature film of the year -- and one of the most moving. Go to Full Review David Stratton The Australian Jul 21, 2017
4/5
It's a small, almost delicate film that will richly reward those who connect with it. Go to Full Review Angie Han Slashfilm Jun 13, 2017
7/10
If you're in the mood for emotional catharsis, A Monster Calls is one of the weepiest experiences I've had at the theater this year. Go to Full Review JD Duran InSession Film Aug 8, 2024
I loved A Monster Calls, and the moment I have to deal with tragedy, this is a film I will come back to. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Jul 16, 2024
3.5/5
Occasionally janky FX aside, Bayona's film pulls on the heartstrings in the same way Ness' source material does. Go to Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film Jun 18, 2024
J.A. Bayona’s vision of Patrick Ness’ well regarded children’s book is a wild blend of gothic imagination and fairy tale charm, supported most importantly by an innocent look at grieving. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 17, 2026 A Monster Calls = a *4* star Movie! See more Donnie G @Snooganzmooganz Apr 18, 2026 I cry everytime I watch this movie. It’s a heartbreaking movie but amazing nonetheless. The ending is what I absolutely love the most. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. See more Carlos M @CarlosMZ Apr 5, 2026 Es muy buena si de verdad te gustan las peliculas de fantasia me recuerda mucho a spiderwick un poco See more matthias S @Thescreenasvor Mar 23, 2026 Finally got around to *A Monster Calls* after it sitting on my watchlist forever. Big fan of Bayona, and he really delivers that dark, tense atmosphere he’s so good at. The creature looks amazing, and Liam Neeson’s voice is perfect—super powerful and emotional. The whole thing is clearly crafted with care, from visuals to performances. But for me, the writing is where it stumbles. It feels a bit over-layered, like it’s trying too hard to be deep, sad, and meaningful all at once. Still a solid watch, just not as impactful as I expected. See more Al M @Almatt Mar 22, 2026 Good watch, not a fan of school bullies I know that it happens, happened to me. Generally bullies grow up to be a bully, in the work place at home, to partners and their own children. The cycle goes on and on and on. There's a Roland Dal about the film. Young actor played a good moody youngster. Overall a good film See more Madam D @Madam1948 Mar 1, 2026 Such a powerful statement of love & family. The Yew tree is symbolic of many truths about this family. Facing life with support means we can deal with all it's hard truths. The special effects are perfect. Seen this several times. See more Read all reviews
A Monster Calls

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Cast & Crew

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Lewis MacDougall

Conor

Sigourney Weaver

Grandma

Felicity Jones

Mum

Toby Kebbell

Dad

Ben Moor

Mr. Clark

Movie Clips

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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Don't Touch Anything A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Don't Touch Anything 1:06 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - What Took You So Long? A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - What Took You So Long? 1:02 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Lunch Room A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Lunch Room 2:19 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - In the Eyes A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - In the Eyes 1:24 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Messily Ever After A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Messily Ever After 1:46 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Break the Windows A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - Break the Windows 1:13 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - I've Come to Get You A Monster Calls: Movie Clip - I've Come to Get You 2:03 Now Playing View more videos

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A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Science of Group Emotion A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Science of Group Emotion 3:25 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Featurette - Making Of A Monster Calls: Featurette - Making Of 1:32 Now Playing A Monster Calls: B-Roll 2 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 2 5:33 Now Playing A Monster Calls: B-Roll 1 A Monster Calls: B-Roll 1 5:00 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Featurette - Creating a Monster A Monster Calls: Featurette - Creating a Monster 1:43 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Story Behind the Story A Monster Calls: Featurette - The Story Behind the Story 1:39 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: Trailer 1 2:28 Now Playing A Monster Calls: International Teaser Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: International Teaser Trailer 1 1:34 Now Playing A Monster Calls: Teaser Trailer 1 A Monster Calls: Teaser Trailer 1 1:20 Now Playing View more videos
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A Monster Calls

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little in common with his imperious grandmother. His father has resettled thousands of miles away. But Conor finds a most unlikely ally when the Monster (Liam Neeson) appears at his bedroom window one night. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.
Director
J. A. Bayona
Producer
Belén Atienza
Screenwriter
Patrick Ness
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Apaches Entertainment, La Trini, Telecinco Cinema
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Content|Some Scary Images)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 6, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.2M
Runtime
1h 48m
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