The Prince of Egypt

Name: The Prince of Egypt
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Animation, Family, Musical
Released: December 18, 1998
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Val Kilmer

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 182 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 182 Ratings

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The Prince Of Egypt

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Movie Details & Credits

National Broadcasting Company (NBC) | Release Date: December 18, 1998 | PG

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Val Kilmer

Summary: Experience the extraordinary tale of two brothers, one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth ultimately sets them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth and the other, theExperience the extraordinary tale of two brothers, one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth ultimately sets them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth and the other, the chosen leader of his people. Their final confrontation changes their lives - and the world - forever. (DreamWorks LLC)… Expand

Director: Brenda Chapman and Simon Wells and Steve Hickner

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Animation, Family, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Staff (Not credited)

Prince Of Egypt is epic storytelling on the grandest scale. Big imagery, big themes, big emotions - all met head-on and accomplished triumphantly within a film that is in essence a live action movie - more precisely a Steven Spielberg live action movie - writ cartoon. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Overall, it's a story of triumph and adventure - of oppression ended and freedom begun. Read full review

David Edelstein

Everything we love about biblical-movie kitsch is here, only concentrated and heightened. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

If nothing else it's a wonderful essay on the meaning of freedom and the courage it takes to wrestle it from despots. In that sense, it feels more political and cultural than religious. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Even in an animated feature, visuals alone, no matter how successful, are not enough. And despite having this sturdy biblical tale to work with, despite being faithful enough to the spirit of the story to please a wide swath of scholars and theologians, the creators of Prince of Egypt have been unable to relate it in a completely compelling way. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

As a rule, the drawn and computer-animated imagery is top notch and seamlessly integrated, but the central characters' tawny complexions and the often chiaroscuro lighting sometimes obscure all but the whites of their eyes and their pearl-perfect teeth. Read full review

Charles Taylor

Middlebrow kitsch, but kitsch straining for respectability and therefore without the energy that can make kitsch entertaining. Read full review

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User Reviews

will1494

Nov 23, 2014

This is one of best animated films of all time. This is definitely the greatest Dreamworks movie ever. The animation in this movie has not been matched by any 2D animated movie since. The story is one you know from the Charlton Heston movie but told in a very distinct way. The music in thisThis is one of best animated films of all time. This is definitely the greatest Dreamworks movie ever. The animation in this movie has not been matched by any 2D animated movie since. The story is one you know from the Charlton Heston movie but told in a very distinct way. The music in this movie is absolutely powerful. The open sequence in this movie is one of the most powerful and emotional openings of any animated feature ever. Even if you are not religious or spiritual you will defiantly enjoy this film at least for beauty and emotion.… Expand

10 of 11 users found this helpful101

Shanehoron

Jan 28, 2022

This is by far the greatest animated movie of all time in my opinion. The animation is amazing, the voice actors are brilliant, the music is excellent, the characters are likeable, I just love everything about this movie. I just wished dreamworks did more movies like this. I know we have TheThis is by far the greatest animated movie of all time in my opinion. The animation is amazing, the voice actors are brilliant, the music is excellent, the characters are likeable, I just love everything about this movie. I just wished dreamworks did more movies like this. I know we have The Road to El Dorado but that was pretty mediocre. Also there is Joseph King of Dreams but I haven't watched that yet but it actually looks good. Anyways this is the greatest animated movie ever. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcoA

Mar 17, 2009

Honestly, I thought this movie was really great. I don't know how it managed to get a 64 average from the critics that were considered on this site. It's an inspiring story that isn't supposed to be funny and manages to reach some pretty intense levels in some scenes. The Honestly, I thought this movie was really great. I don't know how it managed to get a 64 average from the critics that were considered on this site. It's an inspiring story that isn't supposed to be funny and manages to reach some pretty intense levels in some scenes. The songs are pretty nice too, especially "When You Believe" which literally gave me goosebumps. This is a movie that's about freedom and inspiration while using a story from the Bible and it does its job excellently as that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sakata

Oct 6, 2018

"The Prince of Egypt" is by far one of the most underrated animated films. Maybe it's their Christian theme, maybe it's the difficulty of other studios in filming hit films at the time (DreamWorks was still going to grow a lot), but this is certainly a charming and touching movie.

With an"The Prince of Egypt" is by far one of the most underrated animated films. Maybe it's their Christian theme, maybe it's the difficulty of other studios in filming hit films at the time (DreamWorks was still going to grow a lot), but this is certainly a charming and touching movie.

With an extremely qualified cast and competent animation, we have a magnificent approach to the history of Moses, without it being necessary to appeal to the appealing Manichaeism of transforming the Hebrews into pure beings (this is evident in a scene in which Hebrews throw stones at Moses) or transform the Egyptians into inhuman villains (it is possible to perceive this through Seti, Ramses and the Egyptian people who suffer during the time of the plagues).

Hans Zimmer's soundtrack and Stephen Sodenheim's songs are spectacular, especially "When You Believe", which deserved to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TiberScientist

Nov 5, 2016

it is very hard to describe how good this movie was. from the way the songs were made to how well and accurately it puts events together while it entertains is amazing 3.5/5

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrPajamas

Jun 18, 2021

I love DreamWorks and for some reason The Prince of Egypt passed me by. So I had to fix it and I can't complain. Right from the first moment the animation appealed to me, which in my opinion had its own charm and I found it just beautiful. Add to that the sometimes epic music by Hans ZimmerI love DreamWorks and for some reason The Prince of Egypt passed me by. So I had to fix it and I can't complain. Right from the first moment the animation appealed to me, which in my opinion had its own charm and I found it just beautiful. Add to that the sometimes epic music by Hans Zimmer and a great story. For me, a great film that I recommend, especially to Egypt lovers, because I personally really like Egypt and for me this film was a wonderful spectacle.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Feb 9, 2016

I expected a lot better, to say the least. Prince of Egypt is decently animated, but serves as a sparknotes version of the Biblical story that not only is far too quick, but it is a shallow adaptation at best that misses many key elements of the story. Even worse, it changes many of them andI expected a lot better, to say the least. Prince of Egypt is decently animated, but serves as a sparknotes version of the Biblical story that not only is far too quick, but it is a shallow adaptation at best that misses many key elements of the story. Even worse, it changes many of them and the story itself resembles very little of the actual Biblical tale. Now, this is not truly a sin on its own because of course it is changed, but the changed story is far too kid-oriented and feels far too often like a bad kids cartoon that adults hate in numbers. There are a few good sequences, such as the burning bush sequence, but you would be far better off just watching The Ten Commandments if you want to watch a film version of the Book of Exodus. Everything is borderline comical and the fast pace and the way it just skims through the story are incredibly annoying and, if you do not know the story, hard to follow. Overall, The Prince of Egypt misses the mark by about 40 years.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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70	#70 Best Movie of 1998
21	#21 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
33	#33 Most Shared Movie of 1998