Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chinese-themed adventure has interesting lore, lacks laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass
What's the Story?
TOM AND JERRY: FORBIDDEN COMPASS is an animated adventure that begins when the famously feuding cat and mouse accidentally activate a magical "astral compass" while chasing each other through the museum where Tom is a security guard trainee. The compass transports the duo to Golden City, a fantastical ancient Chinese world populated by magical gargoyles guarding a temple that keeps the neighboring village safe. Still in possession of the compass, Tom is initially misidentified as a god sent from the heavens to defeat supernatural attacks. Tom and Jerry meet the Phoenix Master, a powerful local leader who has been searching for the artifact for 300 years, along with his loyal group of friends and students. Tom quickly becomes smitten with Jade, an opera singer and one of the Phoenix Master's skilled fighters. Meanwhile, the villainous Mega-Rat wants the compass for his own nefarious plans and tries to convince Jerry that the two rodents should work together. With multiple characters determined to possess the powerful artifact, Tom and Jerry must ultimately put aside their usual rivalry to help their new friends, save Golden City, and find their way home.
Is It Any Good?
This colorful cross-cultural adventure offers a new setting for the iconic cat and mouse duo but loses too much of their signature humor. Given Tom and Jerry's popularity across Asia, it makes sense that Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass, a Chinese production originally released in Mandarin, would send the iconic characters on an adventure set in China. The movie draws on Chinese folklore, opera, architecture, cuisine, and mythology, giving this entry in the long-running franchise a distinct cultural identity. But in broadening Tom and Jerry's world by adding the Phoenix Master and his chicken sidekick, Feeney (sure to be a crowd favorite), as well as Jade, Mega-Rat, magical gargoyles, and an elaborate mythology surrounding the astral compass, the movie sidelines much of what has made the cat and mouse frenemies so enduringly funny. The youngest moviegoers may also have trouble keeping up with all the world-building and secrets.
There are still frantic chases, elaborate pratfalls, and the occasional sight gag, but Tom and Jerry sometimes seem like guest stars in their own film, a fantasy adventure dominated by new characters. It's laudable that these familiar characters are finding new relevance with audiences around the world, but this particular mashup doesn't give enough attention to the comic rivalry that's really at the heart of the classic Hanna-Barbera franchise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass. Does animated violence impact viewers differently than live-action violence?
What does the movie say about second chances and redemption? How do different characters make up for their earlier choices?
Which aspects of Chinese culture and folklore did you notice? Did watching the movie make you curious to learn more about Chinese opera, food, clothing, or legends?
Why do you think Tom and Jerry continue to care about each other despite constantly fighting? Are they purely rivals, or also sort of friends?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 4, 2026
- Cast : John Shang , Yifei Ruan
- Director : Gang Zhang
- Studio : Viva Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Cats , Mice )
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action/violence
- Last updated : September 16, 2026
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