Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Spellbound
Spellbound Image
See the trailer
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: This documentary presents the intense, true-life experience of the National Spelling Bee as seen through the eyes of eight driven, young spellers. (ThinkFilm)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Carla Meyer
    100
    Resembles a Christopher Guest movie in that it follows obsessed, socially awkward folks on a seminal journey in their lives.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    100
    At its most unsettling level, Spellbound asks us to consider what words are for and what childhood should be. It's as profound as anything you'll see this year, and, yes, it should have won the Oscar.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Ronnie Scheib
    60
    Docu dispassionately examines this strange phenomenon of anachronistic Americana, created as a newspaper promotion in 1925.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. lolawonderly
    9
    This movie completely changed my outlook on life. I was 7 when I first saw it in theaters, and I was completely blown away. I was very impressionable, as so many 7 year olds are, and for the first month or so after I watched it, I had it decided that I too, was going to be a spelling bee kid. Obviously I didn't really stick with my plans of being a nationally ranked speller, but, a year ago, when I watched the movie again, I realized the impact this film had on me had just about nothing to do with spelling. Spellbound provides revealing insight on being the best, regardless of what hobby, sport, or subject you're trying to excel at. Surprisingly compelling, Spellbound ranks near the top of my list as far as documentaries go.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ChristopherJ.
    7
    A documentary that exposes the lifestyles of the nerdy and almost-famous spelling bee contest. The kids are fascinating and the parents are what you'd expect them to be: strange.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 16 User Reviews

Trailers

Recommended Products

  1. Winged Migration

    Winged Migration Image

  2. The Gleaners & I

    The Gleaners & I Image

  3. The Story of the Weeping Camel

    The Story of the Weeping Camel Image

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
    Metascore: 73
  2. War Horse
    Metascore: 72
  3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    Metascore: 71
  4. The Adventures of Tintin
    Metascore: 68
  5. Haywire
    Metascore: 67
  6. The Grey
    Metascore: 64
  7. The Woman in Black
    Metascore: 62
  8. The Iron Lady
    Metascore: 54
  9. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
    Metascore: 48
  10. Red Tails
    Metascore: 46
  11. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
    Metascore: 46
  12. Underworld Awakening
    Metascore: 39
  13. One for the Money
    Metascore: 22
  14. The Devil Inside
    Metascore: 18
  15. The Darkest Hour
    Metascore: 16
All Current Movies »