Thumbelina Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A thumb-sized girl is kidnapped by various animals who want to marry her, but she just wants to find a fairy prince who is slightly less creepy than everyone else.

🍿 Thumbelina: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Lonely Wish

A woman longing for a child is given a magical barley seed by a good witch. From it sprouts a flower, and from that flower emerges Thumbelina, a girl no bigger than a thumb. Though loved by her ‘mother,’ Thumbelina feels alone due to her size and wishes for a companion who understands her.

Love at First Sight

One night, Prince Cornelius, the fairy prince, hears Thumbelina singing and is captivated. They fall in love instantly and take a magical flight on his bumblebee. During their flight, they are spotted by Grundel, a toad, who becomes infatuated with Thumbelina, setting the stage for conflict.

Kidnapped!

That same night, while Thumbelina sleeps, she is kidnapped by Grundel’s mother, Mrs. Toad, who wants Thumbelina to join their singing act and marry her son. Thumbelina is horrified and longs to return home and be reunited with Cornelius. She is left alone on a lilypad after Mrs. Toad secures her spot on her performance.

Finding Her Way

After being kidnapped and escaping Mrs. Toad, Thumbelina struggles to find her way back home. Along the way, she encounters various characters who, while sometimes helpful, often lead her astray or attempt to force her into marriages she doesn’t want. Her journey is fraught with peril as she navigates a world not built for someone her size.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Thumbelina (Jodi Benson): A tiny, kind-hearted girl born from a flower who longs for companionship and true love.
• Prince Cornelius (Gary Imhoff): The charming fairy prince who instantly falls in love with Thumbelina and vows to protect her.
• Grundel (Joe Lynch): A lovesick toad who kidnaps Thumbelina with the intention of marrying her.
• Jacquimo (Gino Conforti): A helpful swallow who guides Thumbelina on her journey and encourages her to follow her heart.
• Mrs. Fieldmouse (Carol Channing): A well-meaning but misguided fieldmouse who tries to convince Thumbelina to marry Mr. Mole.
• Mr. Beetle (Gilbert Gottfried): A boastful and cruel beetle who exploits Thumbelina for his own entertainment, later casting her aside when his peers reject her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Thumbelina: “It’s impossible!” – Thumbelina often exclaims this when facing challenges, reflecting her initial self-doubt and feelings of helplessness.
• Jacquimo: “Follow your heart, Thumbelina, and you’ll do impossible things!” – Jacquimo encourages Thumbelina to trust her instincts and believe in herself despite the obstacles she faces.
• Thumbelina: “Let me be your wings.” – Expresses her devotion and willingness to support Prince Cornelius, eventually becoming a duet and a symbol of their love.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,373,501
• Worldwide Gross: $11,373,501

💥 Thumbelina Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching Thumbelina as a kid, and I loved it. The songs were so catchy, and I loved the character Thumbelina. Re-watching it now, I still find it charming. Thumbelina, with its whimsical story and memorable music, holds a special place in my heart. I especially liked ‘Let Me Be Your Wings’—it’s so beautiful!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic fairy tales”
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Those who enjoy animated musicals”
  • “Anyone interested in Don Bluth’s filmography”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief kidnapping themes”
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Some characters may be considered annoying by older viewers”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Thumbelina is a charming animated film that brings Hans Christian Andersen’s tale to life. While the animation isn’t groundbreaking, the songs are memorable. This film will enchant both young and old.
• Movie Reviewer: “Don Bluth’s Thumbelina is a colorful, if somewhat uneven, adaptation. The story may feel a bit simplistic. The music by Barry Manilow gives the film a boost, and Jodi Benson shines. Overall, an enjoyable family movie.
• Animation Blog: “Thumbelina boasts vibrant visuals and sweet songs, however the overall pace is uneven and the characters lack depth, its a decent, if not outstanding animated film. This will keep children entertained.

Audience Reactions

The songs are incredibly catchy and fun to sing along to.: The beautiful animation and heartwarming story really appeal to children.

Jodi Benson’s voice as Thumbelina is simply magical.: While not perfect, it’s a great movie for family movie night.

Overall Consensus: Thumbelina is a charming but not groundbreaking animated film with memorable songs and a heartwarming story, though some elements may feel dated or uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The producers screened the film for test audiences with the Walt Disney Pictures logo at the beginning to give the impression it was a Disney movie, leading to more positive reactions.”
• “Jodi Benson, who voiced Thumbelina, also voiced Ariel in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid.'”
• “Don Bluth Ireland Limited, the production company, was acquired by 20th Century Fox, which is why 20th Century Fox replaced Warner Bros. as the distributor.”

🖥️ How to Watch Thumbelina?

Thumbelina (1994) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be offered as part of a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Thumbelina, you might like these similar films:

• The Secret of NIMH (1982): Another Don Bluth animated film with a darker tone and themes of overcoming adversity.
• Anastasia (1997): Another Don Bluth film with a strong female protagonist who follows her dreams.
• FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992): Features a human who is shrunk down to fairy size and must find their way in the rainforest and help protect it.

🛒 Thumbelina Related Products

• Thumbelina [DVD]: Own the classic animated adventure! Watch the movie whenever you want in digital format.
• Thumbelina Plush Doll: A soft, cuddly Thumbelina doll for kids and collectors. High-quality materials and detailed design.
• Thumbelina Storybook: Enjoy the timeless story of Thumbelina in a beautifully illustrated storybook.
• Thumbelina: Let Me Be Your Wings Sheet Music: Play the music from the movie yourself!

🎧 Soundtrack

Thumbelina features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Follow Your Heart” – performed by Gino Conforti
• “Soon” – performed by Jodi Benson
• “Let Me Be Your Wings” – performed by Jodi Benson & Gary Imhoff
• “On the Road” – performed by Charo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Thumbelina was SHOCKINGLY Accurate to the Original Story! 😱

Did you know Thumbelina actually sticks pretty close to the original fairy tale? This video breaks it down in under a minute – prepare to be surprised!

Thumbelina is a kids movie about human trafficking

Okay, this might be a *little* out there, but what if Thumbelina is secretly about human trafficking? This video’s hilarious take on a dark interpretation might just change how you see the movie!

The Messed Up Origins of Thumbelina | Disney Explained – Jon Solo

Think Thumbelina is a sweet, innocent story? Think again! This video dives into the messed-up origins of the fairy tale – it’s way darker than you remember, and I couldn’t stop watching.

Thumbelina was Disabled! | Don Bluth Movie Theory – The Fangirl

Mind. Blown. This video makes a compelling case that Thumbelina has a disability, and honestly, it changes everything! Watch this and tell me you don’t see the movie in a whole new light.

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