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The Legend of Johnny Lingo

2003Movie1 h 31 minG

Family
40
WeakGoodWatch score
IMDb6.1Rotten Tomatoes13%72%

An uplifting, wholesome family movie about growing up and family.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

What if you were born a king and didn't know it?

When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens, even to the point of the tribal chief adopting him as a successor. However, with time as hardships are blamed upon Tama (as he is named), he is finally outcast to live with the poorest people on the island, Mahana and her drunken father. Mahana is considered homely and undesirable, but Tama feels differently, so when he is old enough to build a craft to sail away, he vows to return for her one day. A lucky stroke brings him to land upon the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo, the wealthiest trader in the islands, and after years of service to him, Tama has learned much about life and himself as he dreams of honoring his pledge to Mahana.

Feels like

  • South Pacific Island
  • Coming-of-Age Tale
  • Island Culture
  • Romantic Journey
  • Personal Growth
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Wholesome Story
  • Heartfelt Narrative
  • Simple Life

Cast

16 of 16

Crew

Directed by
Steven Ramirez
Written by
Riwia Brown, John Garbett
Produced by
Gerald R. Molen, John Garbett
Music by
Kevin Kiner

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 29, 2003 · 1 h 31 min · G

Released
August 29, 2003
Runtime
1 h 31 min
Age rating
G
Genres
Family, Action, Adventure
Original language
English
Made in
New Zealand, Cook Islands
Available in
106 countries

Tropes

Adaptational Explanation, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, Laser-Guided Karma +9

  • Adaptational Explanation
  • No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
  • Laser-Guided Karma
  • Adaptation Expansion
  • Long-Lost Relative
  • "The Reason You Suck" Speech
  • Abusive Parents
  • Childhood Friend Romance
  • Tinkle in the Eye
  • Hard-Work Montage
  • Doorstop Baby
  • Babies Ever After

12 of 49 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Legend of Johnny Lingo?"

Questions about The Legend of Johnny Lingo

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Legend of Johnny Lingo?

PrimefuboTVMGM+PhiloThe RokuTubi TV

In the United States, The Legend of Johnny Lingo streams on Prime, fuboTV, MGM+, and Philo, and it is free with ads on The Roku and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and Microsoft Store. It also streams in 3 other countries.

Is The Legend of Johnny Lingo worth watching?

40
WeakGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 40 (IMDb 6.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 13%). Audiences rate it higher (67 out of 100) than critics (13).

Is The Legend of Johnny Lingo okay for kids?

G

Yes: it's rated G in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will I feel good after watching The Legend of Johnny Lingo?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for hopefulness and 8 for wholesome.

Is The Legend of Johnny Lingo good for date night?

and 6 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

What tropes does The Legend of Johnny Lingo use?

Adaptational ExplanationNo Good Deed Goes UnpunishedLaser-Guided KarmaAdaptation ExpansionLong-Lost Relative"The Reason You Suck" SpeechAbusive ParentsChildhood Friend RomanceTinkle in the EyeHard-Work MontageDoorstop BabyBabies Ever Afterand 37 more

TV Tropes lists 49 tropes for it, including Adaptational Explanation, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, and Laser-Guided Karma.