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Hugo

Hugo

One of the most legendary directors of our time takes you on an extraordinary adventure.

2011126 minPGMidcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Director
Martin Scorsese
Starring
Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen

Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Accompanied by the goddaughter of an embittered toy merchant, Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Hugo?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Hugo to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Hugo?

Hugo earns 11 badges, led by Oscar Winner and Universally Loved.

Show 3 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Hugo worth watching?

Hugo's Midcredits score is the 91st percentile of all films, from 855K ratings across 6 sources. 80% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

91st percentile

Better received than 91% of films

93rd percentile among Adventure91st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)88th
Approval (how many liked it)90th

74 /100

88th percentile of all films

93rd percentile among Adventure88th percentile among 2010s

Critics 83 · Audience 73

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

80% liked it

90th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Adventure91st percentile among 2010s
80% rated it 7–1020% rated it 1–6

Critics 93% · Audience 78%

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

Awards

5 Oscars won · 6 Oscar noms · 25 wins / 73 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Art Direction
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Cinematography

98th percentile

854K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Adventure98th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 4% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$150M
Opening weekend$11M
Domestic gross$74M
Worldwide gross$186M

Returned 1.2× its budget — 92nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree that Hugo is a visually sumptuous tribute to the origins of cinema, but differ on whether the story is magical or merely slow.

Fans praised

  • visual masterpiece with stunning cinematography and exquisite production design
  • heartfelt love letter to early cinema and Georges Méliès
  • strong cast with compelling child performances and excellent Ben Kingsley

Detractors panned

  • excruciatingly slow pacing that drags for most of the runtime
  • boring and predictable story that promises adventure but delivers a lecture on film history
  • flat characters and unconvincing emotional stakes

What stands out

Cinematography95

gorgeous sweeping shots, stunning set design, beautiful Parisian imagery

Effects and spectacle90

best 3D of its era; CG and practical seamlessly blended

Atmosphere90

immersive 1930s Paris; magical train station world

ActingDivisive78

Asa Butterfield expressive, Chloe Moretz charming, Ben Kingsley superb

Emotional impactDivisive70

moving tribute to cinema; some find it manipulative rather than touching

CharactersDivisive55

Hugo and Isabelle likable but thin; station inspector a comic diversion

Plot and storyDivisive50

slow to develop, shifts focus from boy's quest to history lesson

PacingDivisive35

first half excessively slow; overall too long by 20-30 minutes

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 12 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Hugo like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It takes its time, has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

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

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmMelancholicHopeful
Heaviest: late
Register
WarmAdventurous · 11% of filmsAwestruck · 1% of films: Wonder at something vast or marvelous.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its heartfelt story straight with earnest sincerity, never undercutting its emotional or magical moments.
The rideThe film settles into a warm, reflective tone with the emotional weight peaking in the final act as mysteries unravel.
StructureFollows a conventional beginning-middle-end structure: Hugo's hidden life, the mystery of the automaton, and the resolution through Méliès' rediscovery.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film ends with a joyful celebration of cinema's power and Méliès' legacy, leaving the viewer both uplifted and reflective about film history.
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).MysteryPuzzle
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%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · 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% (this title): Puzzle 1% (this title) · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Puzzle: A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).

7% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe story is driven by the question of what the automaton's message means and who Georges Méliès is, unfolding as a puzzle of clues and discoveries.

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 filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · 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% · 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%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsPurpose · 9% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how Hugo and Méliès find meaning and self-worth through creation and connection.
StanceThe film celebrates the power of creativity and human connection to overcome loss and isolation.

The world

Early 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Howard Shore
SettingA Parisian train station in the 1930s, with hidden passages and a clockwork world.
MusicThe score underscores the film's wonder and melancholy without overpowering the visuals.

Content guide

Is Hugo okay for kids?

PG

Hugo is rated PG: “Rated PG for mild thematic material, some action/peril and smoking” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (23/100), sexual content at minimal (10/100), language at minimal (3/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at mild (31/100). Overall it is heavier than 15% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
  • IrelandPG
  • New ZealandG
  • South KoreaAll
  • Brazil10
  • Belgium14
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK-7
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hungary12
  • Netherlands9
  • Norway7
  • PolandAL
  • PortugalM/12
  • ROAP
  • Russia12+
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland12
  • THG
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 4% of all filmsHeavier than 15% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 21%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 17%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 4%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 53%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 35%

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

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 35% 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 Hugo have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Hugo?

Cast

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

Asa Butterfield
as Hugo Cabret
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ben Kingsley
as Georges Méliès
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.
Chloë Grace Moretz
as Isabelle
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sacha Baron Cohen
as Station Inspector
Ray Winstone
as Uncle Claude
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Emily Mortimer
as Lisette
Christopher Lee
as Monsieur Labisse
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Helen McCrory
as Mama Jeanne
Michael Stuhlbarg
as Rene Tabard
Frances de la Tour
as Madame Emilie

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Hugo?

Movies like Hugo include Ratatouille (2007), Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) and Wonderstruck (2017). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about orphans, and all are family adventures.

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

10 of these 12 share its praise for cinematography. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Hugo?

3.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: child. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.