# Tom and Jerry animated film release and reception

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tom-and-jerry-animated-film-release-and-reception
> Updated: 2026-09-11T06:38:03.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

The animated feature ‘Tom and Jerry: Magic Compass’ (also referred to as ‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’) was announced as a co-production between Warner Bros. Pictures China and China Film Co., Ltd. Directed by Gang Zhang, the film was intended to be the first full-length computer-animated adventure for the characters, blending modern visuals with classic slapstick humor.

The plot involves the characters activating a mythical artifact at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan, which transports them to a mythical metropolis or ‘Gold City’ influenced by Chinese mythology. In this setting, the duo must cooperate to return home.

Following its release, the film has faced intense critical backlash. On review aggregators, the film holds a 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews and a 24/100 score on Metacritic. Major publications have echoed these low ratings, with The Guardian and The Irish Times awarding it 40/100, while Empire and Variety gave it 20/100.

Critics have consistently noted that the duo serves as little more than supporting characters, with new characters often overshadowing the titular protagonists. Reviewers have criticized the production for deviating from traditional slapstick roots, describing the experience as a ‘sensory overload’, ‘constant chaos’, and a film that relies too heavily on bright colors and loud sounds while lacking a logical story. Additionally, some parents expressed concerns regarding a darker tone that might be frightening for young children.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass receives critical backlash

The new computer-animated film ‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’ has faced severe critical backlash, earning a 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 24 on Metacritic.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tom-and-jerry-forbidden-compass-receives-critical-backlash

### 2026-09-05: Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass receives poor reviews

Critics are panning ‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass,’ noting the iconic duo are sidelined in a chaotic, mythology-based adventure that lacks the classic slapstick comedy of the original series.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tom-and-jerry-forbidden-compass-receives-poor-reviews

### 2026-08-18: Tom and Jerry: Magic Compass announced as new animated feature

The new animated film ‘Tom and Jerry: Magic Compass’ follows the iconic duo as they are transported from a New York museum to a mythical world via a magical artifact, forcing them to cooperate.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tom-and-jerry-magic-compass-announced-as-new-animated-feature

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