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Kangaroo

Kangaroo

Two unlikely friends. One epic adventure.

Director
Kate Woods

Ex TV personality, Chris Masterman, becomes stranded in an Outback town outside Alice Springs. There, he teams up with 12-year-old Indigenous girl Charlie. The pair form an unlikely friendship and work together to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned joeys in the remote but stunning Outback community—an endeavour that proves to be life-changing for them both.

Where can I watch Kangaroo?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Kangaroo on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

What stands out about Kangaroo?

Kangaroo earns 4 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Is Kangaroo worth watching?

Kangaroo's Midcredits score is the 65th percentile of all films, from 4.4K ratings across 4 sources. 59% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

65th percentile

Better received than 65% of films

73rd percentile among Comedy66th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)62nd
Approval (how many liked it)65th

65 /100

62nd percentile of all films

71st percentile among Comedy62nd percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

59% liked it

65th percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Comedy65th percentile among 2020s
59% rated it 7–1041% rated it 1–6

Critics 93%

The Rotten Tomatoes critic score.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 11 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

88th percentile

4.4K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Comedy89th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 68% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$7.9M

70th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It's a predictable, feel-good family film set against beautiful Australian outback scenery.

Fans praised

  • stunning cinematography of Australian outback landscapes
  • heartwarming true-story-inspired narrative
  • breakout luminous performance by Lily Whiteley as Charlie

Detractors panned

  • predictable formulaic plot with no surprises
  • humorless and devoid of genuine comedy
  • lack of stakes or tension makes it boring

What stands out

Cinematography85

stunning sweeping shots of Australian outback landscapes

AtmosphereDivisive75

immersive outback setting and community warmth

ActingDivisive65

Lily Whiteley's breakout performance shines; Ryan Corr gives energetic but mixed-reviewed lead

Emotional impactDivisive65

genuinely heartwarming to fans; overly sentimental and hollow to detractors

CharactersDivisive60

endearing Charlie and likable but clichéd lead Chris; supporting characters feel thin

Plot and storyDivisive40

highly predictable redemption arc with no surprises

HumorDivisive40

fans find lighthearted laughs; detractors say completely unfunny

OriginalityDivisive30

heavily derivative of other family animal films and outback tropes

What is Kangaroo like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

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

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good.

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

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmJoyfulBittersweet
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of filmsPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its sentimental, heartwarming moments straight without irony, aiming for genuine emotional effect.
The rideThe film maintains a consistent warm, feel-good atmosphere with emotional peaks, especially toward the end.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning, middle, and end as Chris arrives in the outback, bonds with Charlie and the joeys, and finds redemption.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves you with a warm, uplifted feeling, having witnessed a man's redemption and a community's kindness.
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).Rebirth
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% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA disgraced TV host finds purpose and moral recovery by caring for orphaned joeys, forming an unlikely bond with a local girl.

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 filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · 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% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · 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%

Morality

Redemption · 6% 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.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a man's moral recovery through unexpected responsibility and the connections he builds.
StanceThe film affirms redemption and the power of kindness and connection.

The world

ContemporaryRuralWildernessRealistic
FolkOrchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Josie Mann, Matteo Zingales
SettingFictional outback town near Alice Springs, Australia

Is Kangaroo okay for kids?

As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (21/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at minimal (8/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (24/100) and frightening material at minimal (13/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 12 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • New ZealandPG
  • Brazil14
  • Austria6
  • Hungary12
  • IsraelAll
  • NetherlandsAL
  • SKU
  • Switzerland6
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (40 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

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 Kangaroo have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Who is in Kangaroo?

What are movies like Kangaroo?

Movies like Kangaroo include Back to the Outback (2021), Paper Planes (2014) and Red Dog (2011). Of the 11 closest matches, several are redemption stories, and several are films set in Australia and New Zealand.

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

10 of these 11 share its story type: family adventure. Those cards say what else they share.

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

4.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: family adventure. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.