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Flushed Away

Flushed Away

Someone's going down

200685 minPGMidcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
Directors
Sam Fell, David Bowers
Starring
Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno

London high-society mouse, Roddy is flushed down the toilet by Sid, a common sewer rat. Hang on for a madcap adventure deep in the sewer bowels of Ratropolis, where Roddy meets the resourceful Rita, the rodent-hating Toad and his faithful thugs, Spike and Whitey.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Flushed Away?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Flushed Away streaming on Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Flushed Away?

Flushed Away earns 11 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Star-studded.

Show 3 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Flushed Away worth watching?

Flushed Away's Midcredits score is the 66th percentile of all films, from 597K ratings across 6 sources. 58% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

66th percentile

Better received than 66% of films

52nd percentile among Animation63rd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)66th
Approval (how many liked it)63rd

66 /100

66th percentile of all films

51st percentile among Animation65th percentile among 2000s

Critics 74 · Audience 65

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

58% liked it

63rd percentile of all films

51st percentile among Animation61st percentile among 2000s
58% rated it 7–1042% rated it 1–6

Critics 72% · Audience 65%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 7 wins / 15 noms overall

  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Animated Feature Film

99th percentile

597K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$149M
Opening weekend$19M
Domestic gross$65M
Worldwide gross$178M

Returned 1.2× its budget — 90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It's a fast-paced CGI adventure set in London's sewers, with a mix of British humor and slapstick, centered on a pampered rat learning about friendship.

Fans praised

  • clever blend of dry British wit and playful slapstick
  • singing slugs as inspired running gag and comic relief
  • imaginative world-building of the underground sewer city

Detractors panned

  • weak, predictable plot lacking narrative drive
  • charmless, one-dimensional characters
  • frenetic pacing with no room to breathe

What stands out

ActingDivisive80

voice cast delivers energetic, well-cast performances especially Ian McKellen and Bill Nighy

DialogueDivisive75

witty British one-liners and double meanings, but sometimes overshadowed by slapstick

HumorDivisive70

mix of clever wordplay and crude slapstick; hits for adults and kids unevenly

CinematographyDivisive70

detailed, colorful CGI that mimics claymation style but sometimes feels dated

CharactersDivisive65

Roddy and Rita have arcs but side characters are thin; villains are entertaining but derivative

OriginalityDivisive65

fresh setting and creative visual gags, but story beats are formulaic

Plot and storyDivisive55

familiar fish-out-of-water story with predictable structure and thin stakes

PacingDivisive55

relentless speed leaves no room for character development or breathing

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 13 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 12 points higher than under-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 10 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 12 points higher than US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Flushed Away like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is funny, never lets up and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
JoyfulThrillingRomantic
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.Warm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlays its absurd premise of an underground rat city at a knowing, tongue-in-cheek distance with dry British humour, while keeping genuine warmth for its heroes.
The rideThe tone stays consistently light and brisk even during chase sequences, with romantic warmth emerging gradually and no truly heavy or dark stretches.
StructureA conventional beginning-middle-end: displacement into the sewers, the adventure with Rita, then the final showdown back at the floodgates.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayA cheerful, upbeat adventure that leaves you smiling: the couple ends up together, the villain is defeated, and the whole romp wraps on a warm high.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% (this title) · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Fish out of water: Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).

4% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

Why this archetypeA pampered pet rat is flushed out of his posh life into the unfamiliar sewer world of Ratropolis, and the whole adventure bends toward getting back home to Kensington before escalating into saving the rat city from the Toad.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeA snobbish pet rat and a scrappy sewer scavenger overcome class differences and learn to trust each other, growing from irritation to romance as they save an underground city.
StanceThe film celebrates romantic connection and found community as Roddy and Rita's bond overcomes class snobbery and saves the sewer city together.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanWildernessStylized realism
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · original score · Harry Gregson-Williams
SettingA posh Kensington flat and an expansive underground sewer city built from discarded human objects.
MusicThe score is lively and orchestral, punctuated by pop songs (including 'Don't Walk Away' by E.L.O.) that reinforce the upbeat adventure tone.

Content guide

Is Flushed Away okay for kids?

PG

Flushed Away is rated PG: “Rated PG for crude humor and some language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (32/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at mild (16/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (27/100) and frightening material at mild (30/100). Overall it is heavier than 25% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 23 other countries
  • UKU
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandPG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • AustriaAA
  • Belgium12
  • CzechiaU
  • DenmarkA
  • FinlandK-7
  • Hong KongI
  • Hungary12
  • Netherlands6
  • Norway9
  • PolandAL
  • PortugalM/6
  • ROAP
  • SpainA
  • Sweden7
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 7% of all filmsHeavier than 25% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 40%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 41%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 26%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 51%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 34%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 40% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Flushed Away have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Flushed Away?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Hugh Jackman
as Roddy
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kate Winslet
as Rita
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ian McKellen
as The Toad
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jean Reno
as Le Frog
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Bill Nighy
as Whitey
Andy Serkis
as Spike
Shane Richie
as Sid
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Kathy Burke
as Rita's Mum
David Suchet
as Rita's Dad
Miriam Margolyes
as Rita's Grandma
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Flushed Away?

Movies like Flushed Away include Ninotchka (1939), Much Ado About Nothing (2012) and The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012). Of the 12 closest matches, several are family adventures, and most are films that feel joyful.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its character type: enemies to lovers. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Flushed Away?

827 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: animal. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.