🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Kenneth Branagh
- Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 4.3/10 (63k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Boy genius discovers his dad is a criminal and teams up with a disgruntled fairy cop and a giant mole-man to fight a sparkly lady who wants to destroy humanity with a stolen magical doodad.
🍿 Artemis Fowl: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Disappearance of Artemis Fowl Sr.
The film opens with a media frenzy surrounding Fowl Manor, linking Artemis Fowl Sr. to stolen artifacts. Mulch Diggums is arrested and interrogated, claiming Artemis Sr. stole the powerful ‘Aculos’. Three days prior, Artemis Fowl Jr., a 12-year-old genius, lives with his father, Artemis Sr., who goes missing, accused of the theft. Artemis Jr. receives a call from a hooded figure who claims to be holding his father captive, demanding the Aculos in return.

The Discovery of the Fairy World
Domovoi Butler reveals a hidden library detailing the existence of magical creatures. In Haven City, the underground home of the fairies, Mulch encounters Holly Short, a LEPrecon officer. Commander Root dispatches LEPrecon to find the Aculos, while Foaly discovers an unauthorized creature on the surface. Holly is sent to investigate, learning her father, Beechwood Short, was accused of stealing the Aculos.

Confrontation at Fowl Manor
Holly investigates the Hill of Tara and is captured by Dom. Root and LEPrecon surround Fowl Manor in a time freeze. Artemis demands the Aculos for Holly’s release, invoking fairy law to prevent entry. Mulch infiltrates the manor, finds the Aculos, and Artemis frees Holly, seeking her help. A LEPrecon officer releases a troll into the house, jamming the magic within.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw): A young criminal prodigy who hunts down a secret society of fairies to find his missing father.
- Holly Short (Lara McDonnell): A determined LEPrecon officer captured by Artemis who seeks to clear her father’s name.
- Mulch Diggums (Josh Gad): A kleptomaniac dwarf who is broken out of prison to infiltrate Fowl Manor.
- Domovoi Butler (Nonso Anozie): Artemis’s loyal and highly skilled bodyguard, dedicated to protecting him.
- Artemis Fowl Sr. (Colin Farrell): Artemis’s father, a wealthy businessman who goes missing and is accused of theft.
- Commander Julius Root (Judi Dench): The stern commander of LEPrecon, responsible for maintaining order in the fairy world.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Commander Root: “Our world has never been in more danger. Human greed is what drove us underground all those years ago, to escape from your rapacious appetite. I warn you, boy, you are not prepared for the truth behind what you seek. Now you will believe, Artemis Fowl.” – Root warns Artemis about the dangers of the fairy world and the consequences of his actions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $125,000,000
- Domestic Gross: None
- Worldwide Gross: None
💥 Artemis Fowl Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so, I went into this movie with a shred of hope, because I loved the books when I was younger. HUGE mistake. The plot felt like a blender threw up all over the screen. I barely recognized any of the characters; Artemis surfing? Seriously? The only thing I liked was Judi Dench growling commands, but even that couldn’t save this mess. Honestly, just read the books and pretend this never happened.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of fantasy adventures”
- “Viewers looking for a family-friendly film”
- “Those interested in stories about fairies and magic”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Fantasy violence”
- “Mild peril”
Professional Reviews
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Branagh’s direction is muddled, failing to capture the magic and wonder of the source material. The plot is convoluted, and the characters lack depth, leaving viewers disconnected from the story’s emotional core. Ultimately, ‘Artemis Fowl’ feels like a missed opportunity.
- Variety: “While the visual effects are impressive, they can’t save ‘Artemis Fowl’ from its weak script and uninspired performances. The movie rushes through the plot, leaving little room for character development or meaningful connections between them. Disappointing and forgettable.
- IGN: “‘Artemis Fowl’ deviates significantly from the book series, disappointing fans while failing to create a compelling narrative on its own. The pacing is uneven, and the story is often confusing, making it difficult to invest in the characters or their journey. Not recommended.
Audience Reactions
Fans of the books were incredibly disappointed by the many changes made to the plot and characters.: Most viewers agreed that the movie failed to capture the essence of the books, with many changes feeling unnecessary and detrimental to the story.
The pacing was too fast, cramming too much story into a short runtime and leaving little room for character development.: Many audience members found the plot confusing and difficult to follow, especially those unfamiliar with the source material.
Overall Consensus: A poorly executed adaptation that fails to capture the charm and complexity of the book series, resulting in a confusing and disappointing viewing experience for both fans and newcomers.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Harvey Weinstein was initially a producer on the film, but Disney removed him following allegations of sexual misconduct.”
- “Filming locations included England, Northern Ireland and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.”
- “Multiple plot points, and character traits were altered from the source material.”
🖥️ How to Watch Artemis Fowl?
Artemis Fowl is currently available to stream on Disney+. Digital purchase options can be found on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Artemis Fowl, you might like these similar films:
- Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010): A modern fantasy adventure based on a popular book series featuring a young protagonist discovering a hidden world of mythical beings.
- A Wrinkle in Time (2018): Features a young protagonist on a quest to find their missing father with the help of magical beings and interdimensional travel.
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016): A young protagonist discovers a hidden world and his own special abilities, and must protect his new friends from dark forces.
🛒 Artemis Fowl Related Products
- Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel: Relive the magic and adventure of Artemis Fowl in a visually stunning graphic novel adaptation! Perfect for both longtime fans and new readers, this digital edition brings the characters and world to life with vibrant illustrations and an engaging narrative.
- Artemis Fowl Book Series Box Set: Dive into the complete Artemis Fowl saga with this special box set! Includes all eight books in the series, offering hours of thrilling adventure, intricate plots, and unforgettable characters. A must-have for any true Artemis Fowl fan!
- Artemis Fowl T-Shirt: Show off your love for Artemis Fowl with this stylish t-shirt! Featuring iconic imagery from the series, this comfortable and durable shirt is perfect for everyday wear and a great way to connect with fellow fans. Available in various sizes and colors.
- Artemis Fowl Movie Poster: Own a piece of cinematic history with this official Artemis Fowl movie poster! Featuring the iconic imagery from the film, this high-quality poster is perfect for decorating your home or office and showcasing your love for this magical world.
🎧 Soundtrack
Artemis Fowl features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Artemis Fowl is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+.
Yes, Artemis Fowl is based on the book series of the same name by Eoin Colfer.
While Artemis Fowl is often portrayed as an anti-hero, Opal Koboi serves as the primary antagonist in the film.
🔥 Bonus Content
Artemis Fowl Pitch Meeting
Ever wonder what went wrong with the Artemis Fowl movie? Screen Rant hilariously breaks down the pitch meeting that led to it, and trust me, it’s super easy, barely an inconvenience to watch! You might be surprised!
Disney’s ARTEMIS FOWL is a Complete Disgrace | Cynical Reviews
Curious why Artemis Fowl didn’t quite hit the mark? Cynical Reviews dives deep into what went wrong, calling it a ‘complete disgrace.’ If you’re a fan of the books, you might want to brace yourself before watching!
I Finally Read Artemis Fowl
Read the Artemis Fowl book and then saw the movie? Dominic Noble shares his thoughts after finally reading the book, and let’s just say, the trailer annoyed him *a lot*! See if you agree with his comparisons!
What Ever Happened to Artemis Fowl?
The Artemis Fowl movie premiered in 2020, but what happened? This videos explains the history of how the film was made.
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