Back to the Outback

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2:29

Back to the Outback

PG

2021

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Tired of being locked in a reptile house where humans gawk at them like they're monsters, a ragtag group of Australia's deadliest creatures plot a daring escape from their zoo to the Outback, a place where they'll fit in without being judged for their scales and fangs. Leading the group is Maddie (Isla Fisher), a poisonous snake with a heart of gold, who bands together with a self-assured Thorny Devil lizard Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), a lovelorn hairy spider Frank (Guy Pearce), and a sensitive scorpion Nigel (Angus Imrie). But when their nemesis -- Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin), a cute but obnoxious koala -- unexpectedly joins their escape, Maddie and the gang have no choice but to take him with them. So begins a hair-raising and hilarious road trip across Australia, as they are pursued by a zookeeper Chaz (Eric Bana) and his adventure-seeking mini-me (Diesel La Torraca). Directed by Clare Knight and Harry Cripps, and also featuring the voices of Rachel House, Keith Urban, Celeste Barber, Wayne Knight, Lachlan Power, and Jacki Weaver, BACK TO THE OUTBACK is an animated adventure that proves just because something's different, doesn't mean it isn't beautiful.

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 11, 2021

Gorgeous character design and some delightful voice performances elevate this uneven CGI romp in which a bunch of "ugly" Australian animals break out of a zoo and head for the outback.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 11, 2021

3.5/5

The slapstick is seasoned with some dryly laconic jokes and a lot of wit has gone into the score, which ranges from surfing hits to Charles Aznavour.

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Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

Dec 10, 2021

2/4

There's just too little fresh creative passion here in a project that's sometimes sweet but also remarkably programmatic.

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Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

Feb 16, 2022

5/10

Back to the Outback is probably a cute adventure for children, but outside of that, its just a generically forgettable animated kids film.

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John Serba

Decider

Dec 20, 2021

Back to the Outback is an adequate time-waster for young audiences, even if it's not particularly original or funny. Parents won't quite need to shoot themselves with a tranq dart to survive it, but it probably wouldn't hurt.

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Rendy Jones

Rendy Reviews

Dec 10, 2021

3.5/5

An endearing and charming animated feature that pays tribute to the continent it's set in while providing an enriching tale of not judging a book by its cover.

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Davi R

@Davizola Aug 20, 2026

Belo filme, bonitinho e emocionante!

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Easton B

@Ebmoviemaster2026 Aug 16, 2026

NOT A BAD MOVIE, IT HAS A GREAT THEME ABOUT FAMILY. 🐨🐍🦂🦎🕷️!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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diogo13 T

@Tua_mera Jul 15, 2026

The role reversal between cute and dangerous animals had promise, but quickly falls into a generic narrative, with childish jokes and a completely predictable script. Visually colorful and competently animated, it fails to bring any novelty or originality to the genre.

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Oly T

@Olyrates Jun 20, 2026

Amazing movie that I wish I could watch for the first time again. Must watch!

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Miguel C

@Miguel3110 Dec 30, 2025

De volta ao Outback (ou "Próxima Parada: Lar Doce Lar," no Brasil) é uma aventura linda e terapêutico, mostrando que as aparências não devem ser levadas em conta e com uma animação linda e roteiro bem-escrito.

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Vivienne G

@RT40495128 Oct 4, 2025

Loved this movie. It was refreshing to watch a movie without any alterior motives. Just a lovely story and so good to watch with my children. I highly recommend it and hope they make more like it!!

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Clare Knight

Director

Harry Cripps

Director

Isla Fisher

Maddie

Tim Minchin

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Eric Bana

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Synopsis

Tired of being locked in a reptile house where humans gawk at them like they're monsters, a ragtag group of Australia's deadliest creatures plot a daring escape from their zoo to the Outback, a place where they'll fit in without being judged for their scales and fangs. Leading the group is Maddie (Isla Fisher), a poisonous snake with a heart of gold, who bands together with a self-assured Thorny Devil lizard Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), a lovelorn hairy spider Frank (Guy Pearce), and a sensitive scorpion Nigel (Angus Imrie). But when their nemesis -- Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin), a cute but obnoxious koala -- unexpectedly joins their escape, Maddie and the gang have no choice but to take him with them. So begins a hair-raising and hilarious road trip across Australia, as they are pursued by a zookeeper Chaz (Eric Bana) and his adventure-seeking mini-me (Diesel La Torraca). Directed by Clare Knight and Harry Cripps, and also featuring the voices of Rachel House, Keith Urban, Celeste Barber, Wayne Knight, Lachlan Power, and Jacki Weaver, BACK TO THE OUTBACK is an animated adventure that proves just because something's different, doesn't mean it isn't beautiful.

Director: Clare Knight, Harry Cripps
Producer: Daniela Mazzucato
Screenwriter: Harry Cripps
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Weed Road Pictures, Netflix Animation, Reel FX Creative Studios
Rating: PG (Rude/Suggestive Material|Action)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2021
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos

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