Thumbelina

Right now you can watch Thumbelina in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 539 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Jodi Benson anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Thumbelina earns its spot. Thumbelina uses its genre premise as cover for asking bigger questions. Born of a flower and growing to only a couple of inches tall, poor Thumbelina is worried she'll never meet someone her own size, until she happens to catch the eye of Prince Cornelius of the Fairies. Just as soon as she finds love, however, it's torn away when she's kidnapped by Ms. Toad. Jodi Benson and Gino Conforti lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1994. What separates Thumbelina from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Sci-fi fans who want ideas alongside the spectacle will find Thumbelina genuinely rewarding. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jodi Benson grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.