Oh No!
Avg. Critic Score: 19 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
4 OK for kids 4+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 75
    Boston Globe |

    A train worth catching. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Examiner | Wesley Morris

    An archaic rail-ride into the heart of boredom. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Bob Graham

    This land of sweetness and light may appeal to many, but to some it is going to seem like living hell. Read full review

  • 50
    New York Daily News | Elizabeth Weitzman

    Something of a mess. Read full review

  • 50
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    Has the look of a great fairy tale -- all that's missing is the tale. Read full review

  • 38
    Chicago Tribune |

    Children's films can be thrilling affairs for parents and kids. Unfortunately, this film is not likely to thrill either group. Read full review

  • 25
    Miami Herald |

    Skip the movie and pick up the videos at Toys R Us. Read full review

  • 25
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    An inept assembly of ill-matched plot points, meandering through a production that has attractive art direction (despite the immobile mouths). Read full review

  • 12
    Mr. Showbiz | Michael Atkinson

    Disheveled tripe pieced together with the good intentions. Read full review

  • 0
    New York Post | Lou Lumenick

    Skin-crawlingly awful. Read full review

View more reviews for Thomas and the Magic Railroad on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 4+ Will please its many fans, but plot might confuse kids.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a wholesome train movie for the entire family. However, younger and more sensitive viewers might be scared of the mean diesel trains, and there is one scene where one of the good trains is nearly pushed into a fiery furnace. But like the other films in the Thomas series, it's clearly intended for younger viewers, especially those who like trains. For parents, this is probably the only time anyone will get to see Peter Fonda and Alec Baldwin working together. 
  • Families can talk about the meaning of "the three R's" -- the conductor and the trains must all be responsible, reliable, and "really useful." Family members can give examples of how each tries to accomplish those goals.
  • How does this Thomas movie compare with others? How odes it compare with the TV show?  
  • Families can also talk about the meaning behind "Little engines can do big things," and what makes some people want to act like bullies. 
The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true1 Educational value: Lots of trains for train lovers. Shows a difference between diesel and other trains. 
  • message true2 Positive messages: With the power of belief, in yourself and those around you, it is possible to accomplish many great things. 
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Grandpa Burnett learns to overcome his sadness to help save the day. Mr. Conductor is unafraid of the mean diesel trains, and is always working to come up with solutions. 
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence and scariness: A conductor is thrown from a bad diesel train up in the air and many feet away, but he lands safely on sandbags. A good train is nearly pushed into a furnace by a bad train, with an assistant conductor riding on top. 
  • sex false0 Sex: Not an issue
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false1 Consumerism: Inherent tie-in to the TV show Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and the many Thomas products, games, apps, toys, etc.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
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Thomas and the Magic Railroad Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

So-so
3 fan reviews

Critics say

Oh No! See all critic reviews