The Magic of Belle Isle

Play trailer

The Magic of Belle Isle

PG

2012

1h 49m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An alcoholic, disabled novelist finds his muse again after he moves into a lakeside cabin and meets a single mother and her daughters.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Neither Rob Reiner nor Morgan Freeman are able to conjure up their old magic in this dull trifle, with both director and star appearing content to tread through the paces of the saccharine script.

Read Critics Reviews

Keith Uhlich

Time Out

May 19, 2026

3/5

Manages to cast enough of an enchanting spell.

Go to Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Feb 15, 2020

Hopeless drivel.

Go to Full Review

Serena Donadoni

IndieWire

Nov 1, 2012

B

There's a comforting inevitability to The Magic of Belle Isle, as an alcoholic author spends a soothing, rejuvenating summer in a sleepy lakeside village.

Go to Full Review

Clayton Davis

AwardsCircuit.com

Sep 16, 2014

2/4

All we're left with is an uneven story that could have landed on "Best of Straight-to-DVD" shelves or the $1 bin at your local Walmart for Grandma to find.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Dec 12, 2012

C

Uninspiring sentimental inspirational pic.

Go to Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Nov 27, 2012

B

The problems with the dialog and story are overcome by the fact that this is a very nice, warm, romantic story with some magic in it.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad 4 days ago

The Magic of Belle Isle is a *3* star Movie!

See more

Deborah C

@debc327 Aug 30, 2026

I just started this film, got about a third of the way through and simply couldn’t see more. The script is awful. No way could I ‘suspend disbelief’ for a moment. Implausible, and rings false.I love Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman. I had hoped for more.

See more

Douglas L

@peeperaustin Aug 13, 2026

The problem with critics is that they don’t know what it’s like when a movie makes you feel so good.

See more

Bill T

@btreakle Jul 21, 2026

“The Magic Of Belle Isle “ This is a wonderful magical movie set in the outer limits of Detroit MI. A story about a young family that is caught up in the grips of a divorce as they make their way to belle island with some clarity. After arriving at belle island they soon discovered that their neighbor is a former famous writer a writer of westerns as it turns out. The setting is very beautiful and the family her mother and her three daughters are simply adorable. The author will be immediately recognizable. This movie was truly heartwarming and inspiring.

See more

Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jul 20, 2026

Morgan Freeman does his thing in this wonderful place called belle Isle. I never thought I'd cry but damn it he got me when I leased excepted it. His character of monte is one of his best characters and performances. He steals every scene he's in. His voice is magical and when he speaks you listen. Freeman playing a writer is perfect and with a single mom with kids next door makes for a wonderful time. Tim Treakle

See more

Sharon W

@wbbirdlady Jul 10, 2026

I figured that if Rotten Tomatoes critics gave this movie a low rating, then it would be a sure winner. And, I was right. I've always liked Morgan Freeman, and he didn't let me down. Rotten Tomatoes critics would do well to consider what truly makes a good movie. We "regular" people know.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Rob Reiner

Director

Morgan Freeman

Monte Wildhorn

Virginia Madsen

Mrs. O'Neil

Madeline Carroll

Willow

Emma Fuhrmann

Finnegan

Nicolette Pierini

Flora

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Reach for the Sky, Mr. Clown

1:41

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - A Writer Nobody Reads

2:46

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Discussion With a Dog

1:16

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - The Mystery of Imagination

1:30

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - So You Write Stories?

2:48

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - I'll Stick With Real Life

2:48

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - They Gave Me My Life Back

3:03

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - You Want a Mentor

2:57

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - One Hell of a Mentor

2:37

Now Playing

The Magic of Belle Isle: Official Clip - Why Did You Stop Writing?

1:57

Now Playing

View more videos

Once I Was a Beehive

75%

71%

Once I Was a Beehive

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Once I Was a Beehive

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding

37%

27%

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding

Watchlist

The Great Buck Howard

70%

49%

The Great Buck Howard

Watchlist

This Beautiful Fantastic

61%

75%

This Beautiful Fantastic

Watchlist

TRAILER

for This Beautiful Fantastic

That's What I Am

55%

68%

That's What I Am

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: The Amazing Spider-Man Is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Synopsis

An alcoholic, disabled novelist finds his muse again after he moves into a lakeside cabin and meets a single mother and her daughters.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner, Alan Greisman, Lori McCreary, Salli Newman, David Valdes
Screenwriter: Guy Thomas
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Language|Some Suggestive Comments)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 6, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 26, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.9K
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings