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Mighty Joe Young

Play trailer Poster for Mighty Joe Young 1949 1h 34m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Jill Young has raised Joe, her gentle pet gorilla, since he was a baby. When a Hollywood, Calif., nightclub owner travels to Africa and notices the amazing animal, he persuades Jill to send Joe to Hollywood. But Joe grows restless performing for crowds and finally breaks free from captivity, wreaking havoc on the city. To save Joe from the authorities, who want him dead, Jill must create an elaborate plan to send him back to Africa.
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Mighty Joe Young

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Jul 25, 2019
It's fascinating corn. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Feb 20, 2022
2.5/4
We're left with poorly developed human characters in sometimes laughable, often unmotivated situations, making the film essential for stop-motion enthusiasts but difficult to recommend otherwise. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 26, 2021
3/4
Between a lengthy chase and a devastating fire, the final half-hour delivers the goods, and Willis O'Brien (assisted by Ray Harryhausen) earned the Best Special Effects Oscar for his efforts. Go to Full Review
Alan Ng Film Threat Feb 22, 2021
7.5/10
Sure, we're never fooled into thinking Joe is a real gorilla, but we get an emotional performance nonetheless. Go to Full Review
Ellen MacKay Common Sense Media Jan 1, 2011
3/5
More of a historic novelty than an action film. Go to Full Review
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Dec 8, 2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 3 days ago Mighty Joe Young = a 3.5 star Movie! See more thiago S @Thiagostone Jun 22, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Zinjx W @RT36300308 Feb 22, 2024 This film is not better than "King Kong", but it certainly does not lack pace and tension, as well as a really nice filmed ending that is tinted in red. Really good. See more Lucas C @RT35503599 Mar 11, 2023 Mighty Joe Young is my second favorite King Kong movie. I love the Characters and the special effects are great. Its another masterpiece and I highly recommend it. See more Red T @RT43513976 Feb 5, 2023 A Classic Adventure Monster Movie. The acting is very well done especially by Jill Young and Max who gives a much better performance than in King Kong. The cinematography is very good along with very well done special effects that hold up beautifully. The music is well done also, just a bit over the top. The editing is very good being the only problem is the ending sequence feels a bit out of place and a bit too long perhaps but still well done. It does feel like it comes out of nowhere a bit. The pacing is lightning quick perhaps a bit too quick honestly but well done still. This is a great film that anyone who is a fan of Kong, Monster Movies or Practical Special Effects should give this a watch, You'll Love it. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jan 9, 2023 Fun but unexceptional. See more Read all reviews
Mighty Joe Young

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jill Young has raised Joe, her gentle pet gorilla, since he was a baby. When a Hollywood, Calif., nightclub owner travels to Africa and notices the amazing animal, he persuades Jill to send Joe to Hollywood. But Joe grows restless performing for crowds and finally breaks free from captivity, wreaking havoc on the city. To save Joe from the authorities, who want him dead, Jill must create an elaborate plan to send him back to Africa.
Director
Ernest B. Schoedsack
Producer
John Ford, Merian C. Cooper
Screenwriter
Ruth Rose
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Runtime
1h 34m
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