A robot unexpectedly lands on an island — and, just like that, Netflix has a surprise animated success on its hands.
Recently added to the platform, this DreamWorks film is currently the top movie on Netflix in the US, and the feedback from both critics and audiences has been exceptionally positive. We’re looking at a 96% score from critics and a 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes (as of this writing). In other words: if you haven’t watched it yet, you might be the only one.
Based on Peter Brown’s acclaimed children’s book, The Wild Robot narrates the tale of a ROZZUM unit named 7134 — “Roz,” for short — who finds herself marooned on a secluded island after a maritime disaster. As she navigates survival in the wilderness, Roz engages in something surprisingly uncharacteristic for a machine: She begins to care. About the wildlife, about her environment, and about the peculiar new existence she’s creating. It’s a narrative of survival, but it also explores connection — and what it signifies to find a sense of belonging in a place you weren’t engineered for.
Roz is voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, and the ensemble cast is rich with talent: Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames, to name a few. The film’s director, Chris Sanders (known for How to Train Your Dragon), applies a delicate approach to the material, blending action-packed moments with lengthy segments of contemplative serenity.
When The Wild Robot made its theatrical debut in September, the excitement was immediate. The visuals drew parallels to Castle in the Sky and The Iron Giant, but critics promptly highlighted that this story is unique. The Hollywood Reporter commended the film’s painterly visuals and emotionally resonant tone, indicating that its fusion of photorealistic animation and storybook-esque landscapes creates “charming and immersive scenes.”
Now that The Wild Robot is available for streaming, it’s evident that the film’s second chapter is just commencing. Families are discovering it, animation enthusiasts are engaging in rewatching it, and word-of-mouth is generating significant momentum. It’s gentle, beautifully animated, and brimming with heart — which could be why a modest little robot film has taken the lead on Netflix.
