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Khumba

Khumba

Half a zebra, a whole lot of adventure!

201385 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Director
Anthony Silverston
Starring
Jake T. Austin, Liam Neeson, Steve Buscemi, AnnaSophia Robb

A half-striped zebra is blamed for the drought and leaves his herd in search of his missing stripes. He is joined on his quest by an overprotective wildebeest and a flamboyant ostrich; they defeat the tyrannical leopard and save his herd.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Khumba?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Khumba streaming on Prime Video, Shout! TV via Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Khumba?

Khumba earns 5 badges, led by Award Winner and Preferred by Under-30s.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Khumba worth watching?

Khumba's Midcredits score is the 32nd percentile of all films, from 14K ratings across 6 sources. 37% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

32nd percentile

Better received than 32% of films

17th percentile among Animation33rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)32nd
Approval (how many liked it)33rd

56 /100

32nd percentile of all films

17th percentile among Animation34th percentile among 2010s

Critics 40 · Audience 57

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.1 — solid but not unanimous.

37% liked it

33rd percentile of all films

21st percentile among Animation33rd percentile among 2010s
37% rated it 7–1063% rated it 1–6

Critics 44% · Audience 44%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 3 noms overall

89th percentile

14K ratings across platforms

77th percentile among Animation89th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$20M
Opening weekend$1K
Domestic gross$1K
Worldwide gross$27M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 75th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a formulaic, kid-friendly animated film with a positive message about being different, though they differ on whether its execution is charming or uninspired.

Fans praised

  • Vibrant South African setting and cultural flavor give it a fresh feel
  • Heartwarming message about embracing differences, ideal for kids
  • Charming, lovable characters and witty humor that entertains families

Detractors panned

  • Derivative plot heavily indebted to 'The Lion King' and 'Madagascar'
  • Underdeveloped, stereotypical characters and weak dialogue
  • Pacing drags in the middle, with animation feeling cheap at times

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive70

Rich South African setting and cultural memes add freshness

ActingDivisive60

Voice cast game but not well matched; some hammy performances

CharactersDivisive55

Lovable and diverse to fans, but bland and stereotypical to detractors

HumorDivisive55

Funny moments but jokes often fall flat or are too childish

DialogueDivisive50

Some humor lands but often trite or over-explained

Plot and storyDivisive45

Derivative journey formula, meanders in middle

PacingDivisive45

Middle act drags; some say it's not boring

OriginalityDivisive35

Strongly reminiscent of The Lion King and Madagascar

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 24 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 15 points higher than critics.

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

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Khumba 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 is gentle, has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. 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

Feel-good.

Moods
HopefulJoyfulWarmTense
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its adventure and themes of self-acceptance with genuine warmth and humour, never undercutting its own emotions.
The rideThe film maintains a generally light and hopeful tone, with moments of tension during encounters with the leopard and threats, but overall stays buoyant.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward linear journey with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer uplifted, celebrating difference and the power of friendship.
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).QuestMission
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% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · 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%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA half-striped zebra sets out on a journey across the Great Karoo to find water and his missing stripes, encountering friends and foes.

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 filmsSelfIdentitySelf
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% (this title) · 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% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Hope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how Khumba's physical difference makes him an outcast, and his journey is about accepting that diversity is a strength and finding where he belongs.
StanceThe film affirms the value of individuality and diversity, presenting Khumba's difference as ultimately his greatest strength.

The world

ContemporaryWildernessStylized realism
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score
SettingThe Great Karoo region of South Africa, with a zebra herd, national park, and abandoned farm
MusicThe score likely incorporates African-inspired musical elements to complement the setting.

Content guide

Is Khumba okay for kids?

Not Rated

Khumba is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at minimal (0/100), language at mild (25/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at mild (28/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 14 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
  • IrelandG
  • BrazilL
  • Denmark7
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hungary6
  • Netherlands6
  • Poland7
  • PortugalM/6
  • SpainAi
  • Sweden7
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (18 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 Khumba have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Khumba?

Cast

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

Jake T. Austin
as Khumba
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.
Liam Neeson
as Phango
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.
Steve Buscemi
as Skalk
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.
AnnaSophia Robb
as Tombi
Laurence Fishburne
as Seko
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Richard E. Grant
as Bradley
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Loretta Devine
as Mama V
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Anika Noni Rose
as Lungisa
Catherine Tate
as Nora
Jennifer Cody
as Fifi
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Khumba?

Movies like Khumba include Adventures in Zambezia (2012), Tarzan (1999) and Babe (1995). Of the 12 closest matches, most are family adventures, and several are films set in Africa.

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

8 of these 12 share its subject: identity. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

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

578 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: animal. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.