'The Magic Faraway Tree' Review: Sweet and Welcome Slice of Family Fantasy Adventure
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Jack Ransom - April 1, 2026
Based on Enid Blyton’s novel of the same name. The Magic Faraway Tree sees a modern family relocate to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They're transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.
I had no idea about the book this was based on, until my mum found out there was a film adaptation in the works and immediately asked me if it would be showing at the IMAX and insisted on a cinema viewing (she’s been twice post-COVID for Wonka & Flow). This was a nice, charming, at times incredibly cheesy and schmaltzy viewing that is completely harmless and will certainly appeal to families this Easter.
The film is very much in the Narnia & Spiderwick Chronicles camp of family fantasy, where the adults are semi-aware of the otherworldly goings on and the kids take centre stage. Obviously this adaptation modernises its setting and effectively implements the very real problem of smart phone and tablet addicted youngsters as the crux of its whimsical, imaginative adventure. Showcasing just how important youth, imagination and the outdoors are. It trundles along at a leisurely pace and I love how the stakes are small and family tied (with the growing of tomatoes being a key plot motivation), which is refreshing for a fantasy outing.
The structure can feel a little repetitive and floaty, but allows for the barrage of fantastical lore, characters and the different ‘Land’s of…’ to be immersive and not feel overly rushed in and out of. These include the Land of Goodies (packed to the brim with nostalgic pick n’ mix sweets, sentient marshmallow trees and literal flying saucers), the Land of Birthday’s (make one permanent wish, the use it wisely) and the land where the unhinged Dame Snap (Rebecca Ferguson) dwells, which admittedly does feel a little tacked on.
Whilst there is some garish green screen at points, for the most part this looks good. The myriad of colours pop, the wonder of the woods is captured in luscious green, the rolling hills are beautifully shot, the costumes/sets are bright, vibrant and fittingly silly and the cinematography to the family homestead is warm and homely, and fittingly contrasts the otherworldly scope of the titular tree’s secrets. Obviously being a U rating the humour and screenplay is very accessible, there are chuckle worthy lines, but be prepared for the inevitable fart sequence.
There is a strong cast line-up here and everyone is clearly enjoying themselves. Andrew Garfield & Claire Foy are an effortlessly charming couple and you really root for them. The lead trio of youngsters do a good job and their arc from digital droids to wondrous adventurers is predictable but it works. Nicola Coughlan’s bubbly Silky, Jessica Gunning’s off-kilter Dame Washalot, Nonso Anozie’s snooty Moonface, Dustin Demri-Burns deadpan… well Saucepan Man and Oliver Chris’ spaced out Mr. Watzisname are a wacky group of companions. Rebecca Ferguson hams up the panto evilness in her brief stint as Dame Snap and Mark Heap is a riot as the shouting, hyperactive, wacky Mr. Oom Boom Boom. Lastly, familiar Brit comedy faces Jennifer Saunders, Michael Palin & Lenny Henry make their extended cameos.
The Magic Faraway Tree is an easy-going, sweet and welcome slice of family fantasy adventure. Its sets, props, costumes and creative worlds make it worth a cinema viewing and the cast are a likeable bunch who are all having a good time. The cheesy, saccharine sweetness can get a little overbearing at points and the pacing is hindered by the repetitive nature of the material. However, it’s a refreshing change up from the stream of animated outings and big blockbuster IP’s.
'The Magic Faraway Tree' is out now in cinemas.
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