Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

Peter Pan & Wendy feels special because David Lowery treats this familiar bedtime story like a real coming-of-age fable, letting wonder and worry share the same moonlit sky. It’s a handsome, gently haunted Neverland—full of misty beauty, bursts of airborne magic, and action that stays family-friendly while still carrying real peril. Ever Anderson brings an earnest, grounded heart to Wendy, and Jude Law’s Captain Hook is more than a mustache-twirling villain, giving the film an unexpectedly emotional undertow. If you want a nonstop, jokier romp, this more reflective take may feel subdued at times—but if you’re open to a Peter Pan that actually lingers on what it costs to never grow up, it’s quietly enchanting.

Peter Pan & Wendy is clearly aiming for a gentler, more grounded take on the classic, with extra emotional shading around growing up and a slightly more human Captain Hook. The problem is it often plays things so safe that the magic feels muted: the adventure beats are familiar, the pacing can feel oddly inert, and the wonder you want from Neverland doesn’t consistently land. Jude Law brings some welcome texture to Hook, and the film is generally family-appropriate with solid craft, but if you’re hoping for a bold reimagining or that sparkling, swept-away feeling, this one may come off like a careful checklist rather than a flight. It’s best for viewers who want a calm, earnest retelling—not those craving imagination, speed, or real bite.