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Early Man

Early Man

Bronze vs. stone - clash of the ages.

201889 minPGMidcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Director
Nick Park
Starring
Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall

Dug, along with his sidekick Hognob, unite a cavemen tribe to save their hidden valley from being spoiled and, all together as a team, to face the menace of a mysterious and mighty enemy, on the turf of an ancient and sacred sport.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Early Man?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Early Man streaming on Lionsgate+ via Prime Video, Tubi (free) and ViX via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Early Man?

Early Man earns 7 badges, led by Visual feast and Family friendly.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Early Man worth watching?

Early Man's Midcredits score is the 46th percentile of all films, from 74K ratings across 6 sources. 41% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

46th percentile

Better received than 46% of films

30th percentile among Animation46th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)52nd
Approval (how many liked it)39th

62 /100

52nd percentile of all films

34th percentile among Animation52nd percentile among 2010s

Critics 68 · Audience 61

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.2 — solid but not unanimous.

41% liked it

39th percentile of all films

27th percentile among Animation39th percentile among 2010s
41% rated it 7–1059% rated it 1–6

Critics 80% · Audience 48%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 15 noms overall

96th percentile

73K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Animation96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 45% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$50M
Opening weekend$3.2M
Domestic gross$8.3M
Worldwide gross$55M

Returned 1.1× its budget — 81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a harmless, derivative underdog-sports comedy that looks charming but lacks the wit and originality of Aardman's best work.

Fans praised

  • charming stop-motion craftsmanship with tactile claymation
  • clever visual gags and wordplay despite uneven hit-rate
  • likable underdog characters and warm family-friendly tone

Detractors panned

  • generic, predictable plot lifted from countless sports underdog stories
  • lazy slapstick and tired puns that rarely land
  • flat, one-note characters with no depth or development

What stands out

Cinematography80

detailed, colorful claymation with expressive character models

Acting75

game vocal performances (Redmayne, Hiddleston) elevate thin material

PacingDivisive55

brisk in spots but drags during formulaic training montages

CharactersDivisive50

likeable but one-note stereotypes with weak arcs

DialogueDivisive45

mix of clever puns and groan-worthy dad jokes

HumorDivisive40

hit-and-miss: clever sight gags undermined by stale slapstick

Plot and storyDivisive30

by-the-numbers underdog sports formula with no surprises

Originality25

derivative premise (cavemen vs bronze age sports challenge) done many times before

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 15 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

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

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even

Watch experience

What is Early Man like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle 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

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulThrilling
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its prehistoric world and football premise with good-natured earnestness, never winking at the audience despite its absurdities.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently upbeat, comedic tone with occasional mild tension during the match.
StructureTold in a straightforward three-act structure: setup in the valley, training and match preparation, and the climactic football game.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a pleasant, cheerful feeling but little lasting impact.
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).Rags
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% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · 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%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA tribe of cavemen must win a football match against a bronze age team to reclaim their valley, following the classic underdog sports formula.

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% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · 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% (this title): 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%

Society

Community · 14% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a tribe discovering that their collective strength and loyalty, not individual skill, is what wins the day.
StanceThe film warmly celebrates community and teamwork as the path to overcoming odds, treating its primary theme with affectionate humor.

The world

PrehistoricRuralUrbanFantasy
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · Harry Gregson-Williams
SettingA Stone Age valley near modern-day Manchester, alongside a Bronze Age city built on ore mining.
MusicThe score incorporates playful folk and orchestral cues that accompany the comedic antics and match sequences.

Content guide

Is Early Man okay for kids?

PG

Early Man is rated PG: “Rated PG for rude humor and some action” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (32/100), sexual content at mild (21/100), language at mild (29/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (11/100) and frightening material at mild (27/100). Overall it is heavier than 23% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 18 other countries
  • UKPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • Austria6
  • CzechiaU
  • DenmarkA
  • Hungary6
  • Netherlands6
  • PortugalM/6
  • Russia6+
  • SKU
  • Spain7
  • Sweden7
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 6% of all filmsHeavier than 23% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 40%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 48%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 55%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 21%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 27%

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 Early Man have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Early Man?

Cast

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

Eddie Redmayne
as Dug
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.
Tom Hiddleston
as Lord Nooth
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.
Maisie Williams
as Goona
Timothy Spall
as Chief Bobnar
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.
Miriam Margolyes
as Queen Oofeefa
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Rob Brydon
as Message Bird
Kayvan Novak
as Dino
Richard Ayoade
as Treebor
Selina Griffiths
as Magma
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Johnny Vegas
as Asbo

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Early Man?

Movies like Early Man include Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) and Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films written by Mark Burton, and all are films that feel joyful.

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

Nick Park wrote and directed 3 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Early Man?

1.7K other films share the rarest tag below, up against: tycoon. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.