🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Enrico Casarosa
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10 (207K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two fishy teens try to win a scooter by doing a triathlon while avoiding getting splashed, which would reveal their true, scaly selves to the pasta-loving townsfolk.
🍿 Luca: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Luca’s Underwater Life
Luca Paguro, a young sea monster, lives a simple life herding fish off the Italian coast. His parents warn him against going to the surface, fearing the humans. However, Luca is curious and yearns for adventure beyond his underwater world.

Meeting Alberto and Discovering the Surface
Luca meets Alberto Scorfano, another young sea monster who lives on land and can transform into a human when dry. Alberto shows Luca the wonders of the surface world, igniting Luca’s desire for a Vespa scooter and a life of freedom and exploration.

Entering the Portorosso Cup
Luca and Alberto venture into the nearby town of Portorosso, where they befriend Giulia Marcovaldo. Together, they decide to enter the Portorosso Cup race, a triathlon, to win money for a Vespa. They face challenges from the local bully, Ercole Visconti, and struggle to keep their sea monster identities a secret.

Secrets Revealed and Friendships Tested
As Luca and Giulia get closer, Alberto becomes jealous. During an argument, Alberto’s sea monster identity is revealed. Luca, afraid, denies knowing Alberto, causing a rift between them. Giulia also discovers Luca’s true nature, leading to further complications.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay): A curious young sea monster who longs to explore the human world above the surface.
- Alberto Scorfano (Jack Dylan Grazer): An independent and adventurous sea monster who introduces Luca to the human world and dreams of owning a Vespa.
- Giulia Marcovaldo (Emma Berman): A determined and intelligent girl who befriends Luca and Alberto and shares their passion for adventure.
- Ercole Visconti (Saverio Raimondo): The arrogant and entitled bully who is the reigning champion of the Portorosso Cup race.
- Daniela Paguro (Maya Rudolph): Luca’s protective mother who tries to keep him safe from the dangers of the human world.
- Massimo Marcovaldo (Marco Barricelli): Giulia’s stoic but kind father, a fisherman who initially hunts sea monsters but learns to accept them.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Alberto: “Silenzio Bruno!” – Alberto teaches Luca to suppress his doubts and fears by silencing the voice of ‘Bruno’ in his head, representing self-doubt.
- Luca: “We can do anything if we just believe.” – Luca says this optimistically, summarizing his and Alberto’s drive to achieve their dreams despite the odds.
- Alberto: “That’s the plan. See the world.” – Alberto explains his grand dream of buying a Vespa and traveling the world with Luca, encapsulating their shared ambition.
- Massimo: “Some people, they’ll never accept him. But he seems to know how to find the good ones.” – Massimo reflects on Alberto’s ability to find acceptance and friendship despite societal prejudices.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $50,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $1,324,302
- Worldwide Gross: $51,074,773
💥 Luca Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely adored ‘Luca’! The animation is gorgeous, making you feel like you’re right there on the Italian Riviera. The story of friendship between Luca and Alberto resonated with me, and I loved how the film explored themes of acceptance and overcoming fear. The scene where they finally reveal themselves to the town and are accepted was so heartwarming, I teared up. I can’t wait to watch it again!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families”
- “Fans of Pixar films”
- “Viewers who appreciate coming-of-age stories”
- “People interested in Italian culture”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some mild peril and bullying.”
Professional Reviews
- CinemaNerdz: “Luca is visually stunning and heartwarming, with a simple yet effective story about friendship and acceptance. While it might not reach the emotional depths of Pixar’s best, it’s a delightful summer movie.
- ScreenRant: “A charming and lighthearted tale set against the beautiful backdrop of the Italian Riviera. The characters are endearing, and the animation is vibrant, making it a perfect family film. Its easygoing nature makes it rewatchable.
Audience Reactions
The stunning animation and vibrant colors of the Italian Riviera made the movie a visual treat.: Viewers praised the film’s heartwarming story about friendship, acceptance, and self-discovery.
The film’s lighthearted tone and humor appealed to both children and adults.: Many enjoyed the film’s positive message about embracing differences and being true to oneself.
Overall Consensus: A visually beautiful and heartwarming film about friendship and acceptance that is enjoyable for audiences of all ages, despite some calling it too simplistic.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Enrico Casarosa drew inspiration from his childhood in Genoa, Italy, and his friendship with a boy named Alberto. The fictional town of Portorosso is inspired by the Cinque Terre villages.”
- “The character designs blend stop-motion aesthetics with CGI animation to give the film a unique look. Some background characters were intentionally animated with lower frame rates to emulate stop-motion.”
- “During production, the team took several research trips to the Italian Riviera to capture the essence of the region, including the colors, architecture, and culture.”
- “Initially, Sacha Baron Cohen was set to have a larger role as Uncle Ugo, but his scenes were trimmed down during editing.”
🖥️ How to Watch Luca?
Luca is currently available to stream on Disney+. You can also purchase or rent it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Luca, you might like these similar films:
- The Little Mermaid (1989): Shares the theme of an underwater creature longing for the human world and making a deal to experience it.
- Call Me By Your Name (2017): Captures the essence of a summer romance and the idyllic Italian setting.
- Ponyo (2008): Features a fish-like creature transforming into a human and explores themes of friendship and acceptance.
- Sing Street (2016): A coming-of-age story about friendship, dreams, and breaking free from restrictions.
🛒 Luca Related Products
- Luca (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy the music of ‘Luca’ with the official soundtrack featuring Dan Romer’s score and classic Italian songs. A must-have for fans of the movie.
- Disney Pixar Luca Scooter Build & Play Set: Build your own version of the iconic scooter from the film. This set is great for collectors.
- Luca – Art of: Explore the art and behind-the-scenes creation of Luca. This is a perfect gift for Pixar fans.
- Luca Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures: Collect Luca, Alberto, and Giulia in Funko Pop! form. These figures are a must-have for any ‘Luca’ enthusiast.
🎧 Soundtrack
Luca features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Un bacio a mezzanotte” – performed by Quartetto Cetra
- “Il Gatto e la Volpe” – performed by Edoardo Bennato
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Luca is a coming-of-age story about a young sea monster who experiences a life-changing summer on the Italian Riviera, forming friendships and discovering the world beyond the sea.
Luca is available to stream on Disney+. It is also available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.
While not explicitly stated, many viewers interpret the close relationship between Luca and Alberto as a metaphor for a coming-out story. Director Enrico Casarosa has acknowledged the close bond but has left the interpretation open to the audience.
‘Silenzio Bruno’ is a mantra used by Luca and Alberto to silence their inner doubts and fears, encouraging them to take risks and overcome challenges. It is about overcoming your inner critic and pushing yourself to achieve your goals.
🔥 Bonus Content
Luca is Food But Its Minecraft 😂😅 | Luca Movie
If you love Luca and Minecraft, you’ll get a kick out of this hilarious video that reimagines scenes from the movie in Minecraft. The sound effects are spot-on and the animations are really creative.
LUCA With ZERO BUDGET! Disney Luca MOVIE PARODY By KJAR Crew!
For a good laugh, check out this zero-budget parody of Luca by the KJAR Crew. They do an amazing job of recreating scenes from the movie with limited resources, and the results are hilarious.
What Happens if Luca Enters a River?
Ever wondered what would happen if Luca, the sea monster from the movie, entered a river? This video uses science to explain the answer, and it’s actually pretty fascinating.
Everything Wrong With Luca In 15 Minutes Or Less
If you’re a fan of Luca but also enjoy a good laugh at its expense, check out this ‘Everything Wrong With’ video by CinemaSins. They point out some valid flaws in the movie, but they do it in a way that’s sure to make you chuckle.
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