Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Around the World in 80 Days is the kind of old-school Hollywood epic that wears its sense of wonder like a perfectly tailored suit: big, bright, and unashamedly determined to entertain. Michael Anderson turns Jules Verne’s globe-trotting premise into a lavish, postcard-perfect adventure, powered by David Niven’s droll elegance and Cantinflas’ wonderfully elastic comic energy, with Shirley MacLaine adding a spark of romance and warmth along the way. The joy here isn’t in gritty realism but in the buoyant, family-friendly vibe—sweeping sets, playful set pieces, and a jaunty musical lift that makes the whole world feel like a stage. If you’re craving deep character study, it may feel light as a soufflé, but if you want a charming, star-studded travel fantasy that knows how to have fun, this is a delightful trip worth taking.

Around the World in 80 Days (1956) is clearly trying to be a grand, globe-trotting crowd-pleaser—more spectacle and charm than deep storytelling—and in that lane it often succeeds. The problem is it’s sprawling to a fault: the pacing can feel leisurely bordering on sluggish, with long stretches that play like pleasant travelogue filler rather than urgent adventure. If you want tight plotting, emotional weight, or comedy that stays consistently sharp, this may test your patience, even with David Niven’s steady elegance and Cantinflas bringing welcome bursts of energy. But if you’re in the mood for an old-school, family-friendly epic you can dip into for colorful set pieces and a relaxed tone, it’s an easy, if overlong, ride.