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Trailer

The Black Balloon

2008Movie1 h 37 minPG-13

Drama
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic686.1Rotten Tomatoes85%84%

A moving, cathartic drama movie about growing up and family, with standout characters.

Good for friends night · teens · comfort watch

Where to watch

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

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Not for scares.

Movies with

Story

Normal is relative.

Thomas is turning 16. His dad's in the army and they've just moved to a town in New South Wales; his mom is pregnant; his older brother, Charlie, who's autistic, has his own adolescent sexual issues. Thomas finds Charlie an embarrassment in public, so when Thomas is attracted to Jackie, a girl in his swim class, Charlie presents any number of obstacles when she drops by their house, when the three of them go for a walk, and during a family birthday dinner. Can Thomas find a way to enter the world of teen romance and still be his brother's keeper, or is Charlie's disability going to prove more than Thomas can handle?

Feels like

  • Autism Representation
  • Brotherhood
  • Coming-of-Age Story
  • Family Relationships
  • Social Challenges
  • Australian Drama
  • Teen Romance
  • Empathy & Understanding

Cast

13 of 13

Crew

Directed by
Elissa Down
Written by
Elissa Down, Jimmy Jack
Produced by
Tristram Miall
Music by
Michael Yezerski

Everyone

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

Facts

March 8, 2008 · 1 h 37 min · PG-13

Released
March 8, 2008
Runtime
1 h 37 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
Australia, United States
Budget
$5 million
Box office
$5 million
Available in
10 countries

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Black Balloon?"

Questions about The Black Balloon

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Black Balloon?

It streams in 3 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Black Balloon worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 68).

Is The Black Balloon okay for kids?

PG-13Strong language

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Is The Black Balloon plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Black Balloon good for date night?

and 1 morePartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 6 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.