Family FavoritePG

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Everybody loves Marcel.

2022 • 90 min • Animation · Comedy · Drama · Family

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Synopsis

Marcel is an adorable one-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. When a documentarian discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, his resulting short film brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

726 reviews

100 Reviewers · 5 · 65%
76 Audience · 721 · 35%

Marcel, a tiny shell with shoes on, lives with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint. When a documentary filmmaker discovers them, Marcel becomes an internet sensation, leading to a journey to find his lost family.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Separation from family is a central theme
Characters experience feelings of loneliness and loss
Brief, mild moments of peril for tiny characters

What it models well

The importance of family
Resilience in the face of loss
Finding connection in unexpected places
The joy of discovery

Talk about it after

What it means to be part of a community
Coping with change and new experiences
The power of small voices and big dreams

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

Country

Free

Kanopy

Free with ads

The Roku Channel
Fandango at Home Free
YouTube Free
Plex
Xumo Play

Rent

Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand
Plex

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Top billed cast

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp • Crew: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley, Elisabeth Holm, Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

Recommended
**By: Louisa Moore / www.ScreenZealots.com** With strong themes of friendship, family, and always doing what’s right, there’s so much to love about the poignant and sweet animated mockumentary, “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.” Everything about this film is simply delightful, from its simple stop-motion animation to terrific voice performances from Jenny Slate and Isabella Rossellini.…
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots, TMDB Community

Recommended
If this doesn't appeal to the inner kid in you, I don't know what will. It's all about the charmingly orange-toed mollusc "Marcel" who is now living with human "Dean" and his grandmother "Connie" (who even has a titchy zimmer-frame) in an house that was previously occupied by a couple.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community

Recommended
MORE SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/mini-reviews-2022-edition/ "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On transported me back to the precious times I shared with my late grandfather. An extraordinarily creative, moving story surrounded by incredibly genuine humor and filled with meaningful, memorable messages about family, friendship, life, and love.…
Manuel São Bento, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Huge heart in this film. It's funny, philosophical, life affirming and just a pure pleasure to watch. The fact that it's stop motion animation makes it a complete wonder. How?
badelf, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
_Marcel the Shell with Shoes On_ is the type of film that reminds you what it’s like to be a decent human being through the perspective of a little talking shell that walks on the walls of a normal sized house by stepping in a puddle of honey. The film is laugh out loud funny, sad in a gut punching kind of way, and overwhelmingly big-hearted. _Marcel the Shell with Shoes On_ is a heartwarming delight.…
Chris Sawin, TMDB Community