Matt Oakes Silver Screen Riot Oct 15, 2026 C+

Novak, Jason Schwartzman, and Bradley Whitford are a fine trio of slick-job comic relief and their many colored reactions to Travers' totalitarian workmanship are amongst the best moments of the film.

Go to Full Review

Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 28, 2025 4/5

"Saving Mr. Banks" is likely very much the Disney side of the story, but the film puts great effort forward to make the journey of P. L. Travers the emotional center of the story, just as it should.

Go to Full Review

JD Duran InSession Film Aug 19, 2024 A-

Saving Mr. Banks is a good movie that most audiences will enjoy, despite a few flaws. I'm not 100% convinced this is a movie for children, even though it's a Disney film about a Disney film.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Aug 19, 2022 2.5/4

In traditional Disney fashion, something true has been transformed into a heartwarming, overly saccharine commercial.

Go to Full Review

Laura Mandanas Autostraddle Jun 14, 2021

The movie is charming and Emma Thompson, per usual, makes for an utterly endearing misanthrope. However, I have to question the decision to gloss over Travers' queer identity.

Go to Full Review

Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Feb 1, 2021 3.5/5

Uniformly excellent performances to cover the movie's languid pacing.

Go to Full Review

Nicole Ackman Next Best Picture Jan 30, 2021 7/10

It's surprisingly melancholy in tone, but in an oddly pleasing way that feels reverent to the subject material as it reveals how the film Mary Poppins almost never was.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Dec 4, 2020 7/10

Delights on every level that heartfelt Disney dramas tend to seek.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 21, 2020 3.5/4.0

Will most likely enchant diehard Disney fans and most certainly those who will appreciate its focus on a film that remains one of Disney's most enduring favorites.

Go to Full Review

Allen Almachar The MacGuffin Jul 28, 2020 B+

While some may argue it's a self-congratulatory exercise from The House of Mouse, I found myself being won over by its charisma and the effectiveness of the lead performances.

Go to Full Review

Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jul 8, 2020 4/5

Saving Mr. Banks is a film that pays tribute to the Disney legacy even if the film stretches the truth in storytelling.

Go to Full Review

Carla Renata The Curvy Film Critic Jun 9, 2020

Finding out what went down behind the scenes of one of my favorite Disney classics doesn't take away from wonderful performances by Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks

Go to Full Review

Sarah Knight Adamson Sarah's Backstage Pass Jan 22, 2020 4/4

With eye-popping set design of the 60s, featuring sunny Los Angeles and turn-of-the-century Australia with its Wild West essence − the film is a true winner.

Go to Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Jan 8, 2020

Saving Mr. Banks is beyond cool. You won't need a spoonful of sugar to taste the sweet charm of this story. It's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Go to Full Review

Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Aug 29, 2019 2/5

An example of an inability to maturely deal with the very adult details in the lives of adults responsible for the output of family friendly entertainment.

Go to Full Review

Ryan Syrek The Reader (Omaha, NE) Aug 6, 2019 D

Saving Mr. Banks is emotional manipulation intended to excuse the blackmail-based commodification of one woman's dream.

Go to Full Review

Christopher Preston One Room With A View Jun 4, 2019 4/5

Saving Mr. Banks' incredible cast are firing on all cylinders, from the top tier to the supporting, which results in one of the funniest, most touching films of the year.

Go to Full Review

Nico Hines The Daily Beast Mar 6, 2019

No wonder Mary Poppins needed a spoonful of sugar. This is a dark film that tells the heart-breaking true story behind one of the great characters in children's movie history.

Go to Full Review

Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Feb 1, 2019 B

The Oscar-winning performers are at the top of their games in a film that is bogged down by a clunky structure that detracts more than it helps.

Go to Full Review

Nathalia Aryani San Diego Entertainer Jan 26, 2019

Absorbing and affecting, Saving Mr. Banks is a wonderful film for the ages.

Go to Full Review