The Red Balloon

1956·Movie
34min·NR
79
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic––Rotten Tomatoes––

Where to watch

HBO MaxCriterionFlixFlingPlexTCM

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Red Balloon fingerprint

Striking style, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace3
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Wholesome and nostalgic

  • Wholesome7
  • Nostalgia7
  • Wonder7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Physical Comedy2

World

Kept in the background

  • World Immersion7
  • Novelty7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout direction

  • Direction8
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure6

Style

Standout cinematography and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography8
  • Visual Stylization8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Something to uplift your spirit.

A young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable, yet the world’s harsh realities finally interfere.
Children's FilmFrench CinemaFantasyInnocenceFriendshipHeartwarmingWhimsicalSymbolicParis

Crew

Directed by:
Albert Lamorisse, Edmond Agabra, Reinie Bource
Written by:
Albert Lamorisse
Produced by:
Albert Lamorisse, Michel Pezin, Claire Viroulaud
Composed by:
Maurice Le Roux, Pierre Vuillemin

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Red Balloon

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Red Balloon legally?

HBO MaxCriterionFlixFlingPlexTCM

The Red Balloon is included with a subscription to FlixFling and HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Red Balloon worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79/100 (IMDb 8.1). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Red Balloon rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is The Red Balloon?

0 h 34 min

The Red Balloon runs 0 h 34 min.

What language is The Red Balloon in?

French

It was made in French. Produced in France.

In how many countries can I watch The Red Balloon?

131ADAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBGBM+117

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Red Balloon in 131 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Red Balloon use?

Ambiguous EndingAnimate Inanimate ObjectBalloonacyBittersweet EndingForeshadowingGang of BulliesSilence Is GoldenGay PareeEstablishing Character MomentShort FilmMagical RealismDistracted by the Sexyand 13 more

TV Tropes lists 25 storytelling tropes for The Red Balloon, including Ambiguous Ending, Animate Inanimate Object, Balloonacy.

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