Tangled (2010)
★★★½ — Tangled (2010)
Tangled arrived in 2010 as something of a statement of intent from Walt Disney Animation Studios, coming off the modest but well-received The Princess and the Frog (2009) and representing the studio's first full CGI take on a classic fairy tale heroine. Based loosely on the Brothers Grimm story of Rapunzel, it was directed by Byron Howard (fresh from Bolt) and Nathan Greno, and carried a reported budget of around $260 million, making it one of the most expensive animated films ever produced at the time. That figure reflected years of development and a deliberate pivot toward a more action-oriented, broad-audience tone, partly influenced by the enormous commercial success Pixar had been enjoying throughout the 2000s. The film ultimately grossed nearly $600 million worldwide, vindicating the investment and helping cement the so-called Disney Revival of the early 2010s.
One of the strongest entries in the modern 3D Disney era. It’s easy to overlook because it came out during the studio’s big post-Little Mermaid revival wave, but Tangled really stands tall... or should I say, tower? It takes a familiar fairy tale and gives it a fresh, fun twist with plenty of heart and some genuine character development. Rapunzel isn’t just waiting around to be rescued; she’s curious, clever, and full of life. Flynn Rider is more than just a pretty face (though he does spend a lot of time dodging that). Their chemistry carries the whole thing, especially once they hit the road. The animation is stunning (those curls alone must’ve been a nightmare to animate) and while the humour lands mostly solid (except maybe Pascal’s side-eye game), it never feels forced or too "written for the parents." Everything builds toward a story about freedom, family, and finding your own path. Not quite top-tier Disney like Jungle Book or The Lion King , but absolutely one of the best from the newer bunch. A real all-rounder: great for kids, surprisingly engaging for adults, and rewatchable without losing charm.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2010 | Watched: 2025-05-14
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Byron Howard: Encanto (2021) · Zootopia+ (2022) · Zootopia 2 (2025) · Zootopia (2016)
More from the 2010s: Wonder (2017) · Beautiful Boy (2018) · The Witch (2015) · What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
More animation: Fantastic Planet (1973) · Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025)
More family: Alice in Wonderland (1951) · Wonder (2017) · Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) · Anastasia (1997)
