Migration (2023)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A family of mallards embarks on a perilous journey from New England to Jamaica, facing unexpected obstacles along the way.
The story
In New England, an anxious mallard named Mack discourages his children, Dax and Gwen, from venturing beyond their home pond, much to the chagrin of his wife, Pam. However, after being inspired by a passing flock of ducks and a persuasive conversation with his uncle, Mack decides to allow his family to embark on a grand migration. The family sets off on a journey toward Jamaica, traveling through New York City. Along the way, they encounter various allies and obstacles, including a group of herons in a swamp and a bustling city environment, as they attempt to reach their destination while navigating the dangers of the outside world.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The Mallard family, including Mack, Pam, Dax, Gwen, and Uncle Dan, begins their migration from New England. After a detour into a swamp, they meet a heron couple who help them. In New York City, they encounter a flock of pigeons and a caged macaw named Delroy. They rescue Delroy, who promises to guide them to Jamaica. During their journey, they find a duck farm and rescue a flock of pekins, though Mack loses his wing feathers in the process. They are later hunted by a chef in a helicopter. After a tense confrontation involving a dance and a food fight, the chef is incapacitated, and the birds are freed. The group eventually reaches Jamaica, where Delroy reunites with his family and the Mallards reunite with their friends from the pond. The film ends with the Mallards helping a group of Emperor penguins reach the South Pole.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 83
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Benjamin Renner
- Writers
- Mike White · screenplay; Mike White · story; Benjamin Renner · story
- Cast and characters
- Kumail Nanjiani · Mack Mallard; Elizabeth Banks · Pam Mallard; Caspar Jennings · Dax Mallard; Tresi Gazal · Gwen Mallard; Danny DeVito · Uncle Dan; Keegan-Michael Key · Delroy; Awkwafina · Chump; Carol Kane · Erin
- Genres
- animated; adventure; comedy
- Themes
- getting out of your comfort zone; facing life; accepting fear
- Tone and mood
- tense; whimsical
- Premise and plot tags
- animal adventure; family journey; road trip
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was well-received by audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 25
- Production trivia
- The film is the first animated film to be released worldwide in the ScreenX format.; The score was composed by John Powell, his second collaboration with Illumination.; The film's budget was at least $72 million.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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