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Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass

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Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass
Theatrical release poster
Chinese猫和老鼠：星盘奇缘
Directed byZhang Gang
Written byZhang Gang
Based on
Tom and Jerry
by 
Produced by
  • Zhang Gang
  • Chen Bofei
  • Jasmine Gao
  • Huixia Zhang
  • Shaojing Yang
Starring
Edited byChen Mengyue
Music byHank Lee
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 2 August 2025 (2025-08-02) (China)
  • 4 September 2026 (2026-09-04) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes[1]
Countries
  • China
  • United States[1]
Languages
  • Mandarin
  • English[1]
Box office$5.8 million[1]

Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass (Chinese: 猫和老鼠：星盘奇缘; also released in the United States as "Tom and Jerry and the Forbidden Compass") is a 2025 animated adventure comedy film based on the Tom and Jerry franchise created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.[3] Written and directed by Zhang Gang, the film was produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures, Origin Animation, and Turner Entertainment Co.[4] It is the first fully computer-animated feature-length film in the Tom and Jerry franchise.[5][6]

The film premiered at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on 21 June 2025 and was released theatrically by Wuzhou Film Distribution in China on 2 August 2025.[7][8][9] The film was also released theatrically by Viva Pictures in the United States on 4 September 2026 under its Viva Kids label.[10][11] It was universally panned[globalize] by both critics and audiences, and has grossed over $5 million worldwide.

Plot

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During a chase through a museum, Tom and Jerry discover a mysterious compass that transports them to a fantastical world inspired by Chinese mythology. To return home, the pair must work together on a journey involving magical creatures, ancient secrets, and new allies.

Voice cast

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  • John Shang as Tom Cat, a British cat
  • Ruan Yifei as Jerry Mouse, house mouse
  • Jiang Wen as Heavenly Master
  • Wang Baoshun as Phoenix Master
  • Li Boxin as Lil Feeney
  • Li Hanlin as Ten Ten and Xander
  • Long Lan as Sonny
  • Zhang Wenjie as Jade
  • Tu Xiongfei as Mega Rat
  • Li Zongcheng as Young Mega Rat
  • Bai Weichen as Jade's Beijing opera singing voice
  • Zhang Gang as Devil Tom

English dub

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  • Andrew Kishino as Heavenly Master
  • Kyle McCarley as Phoenix Master
  • Cory Yee as Lil Feeney
  • Andrew Grace as Ten Ten
  • Ryan Garcia as Xander
  • Christopher W. Jones as Sonny[a]
  • Miya Kodama as Jade
  • Brent Mukai as Mega Rat
  • Eduardo De Los Reyes as Gold Tooth
  • Grant George as panicked villager
  • Marc Haize as Singer #1

Production

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Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass was written and directed by Zhang Gang and produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures, Origin Animation, and Turner Entertainment Co.[4] The project was developed as a Chinese co-production and marked the first fully computer-animated feature film in the Tom and Jerry franchise.[5] The filmmakers sought to combine the classic slapstick comedy of Tom and Jerry with elements of Chinese mythology, folklore, and fantasy adventure.[6] The film was produced with the participation of Warner Bros. Pictures, which collaborated with Chinese partners on the project.[8]

ReDefine Animation handled animation services,[13] while Fame's Skopje Studio Orchestra in North Macedonia handled music, alongside composer, Hank Lee.[citation needed]

Release

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Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass had its world premiere at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on 21 June 2025, where it was screened as part of the festival's animation lineup.[8][14] Warner Bros. Pictures announced the film's Chinese theatrical release in June 2025. Distributed by Wuzhou Film Distribution Co., Ltd., the film was released nationwide in China on 2 August 2025.[15] In April 2026, Viva Pictures acquired North American distribution rights to the film. The company scheduled a theatrical release in the United States for 9 September 2026 under its Viva Kids label.[10] On 5 August 2026, the film was moved up a week to 4 September.[11]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 0% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.2/10.[16] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 24 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[17]

Leslie Felperin of The Guardian awarded the film two out of five stars, criticizing its excessive visual spectacle and describing the film as "a barrage of bright colours and noise".[18] Tara Brady of The Irish Times also gave the film two out of five stars, writing that Tom and Jerry were overshadowed by newly introduced characters and that the film strayed too far from the franchise's traditional formula.[19] Mark Kermode was similarly critical, comparing the viewing experience to "being shouted at by a hyperactive child".[20]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Although the credits list Todd Haberkorn as Sonny, Jones would confirm to being the actual voice of the character.[12]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass (猫和老鼠：星盘奇缘)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  2. ↑ "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 13 September 2026.Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (16 April 2026). "Viva Kids Brings 'Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass,' 'The Last Whale Singer' to U.S. Theaters". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 Idelson, Karen (16 June 2026). "How Animation Shingle Viva Disrupts Distribution Model and Uses AI to Analyze Projects for Success". Variety. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 Fisher, Jessica (24 May 2026). "New US Trailer For China-Made Tom & Jerry Animated Adventure Film TOM & JERRY: FORBIDDEN COMPASS". GeekTyrant. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 Rui, Zhang. "New 'Tom and Jerry' animated film blends classic characters with Chinese mythology - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Tajipour, Sean (18 April 2026). "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass Brings Legendary Frenemies Back to the Big Screen". Nerdtropolis - Movie News, Reviews, Interviews, and Trailers. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Merican, Sara (21 June 2025). "Warner Bros. Pictures Unveils Release Date For Chinese Co-Production 'Tom And Jerry: Forbidden Compass'". Deadline. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Billington, Alex (5 June 2026). "Another Trailer for Chinese 'Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass' Movie | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass Announced for Sept. 9". ComicMix. 17 April 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  11. 1 2 @MovieNumbers (5 August 2026). "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass will shift up a week, now bowing on September 4, 2026" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 August 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  12. ↑ "info — Christopher W. Jones - Voice Artist". Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  13. ↑ "Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass". ReDefine. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass sets August release in China, to premiere at Shanghai Film Festival". Cinema Express. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin (15 April 2026). "Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass Receives A Pair Of New Trailers". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  17. ↑ "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  18. ↑ Felperin, Leslie (20 May 2026). "Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass review – furry foes out of their depth in candy-coated Chinese adventure". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Brady, Tara. "Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass review – Cartoon duo become supporting players in their own film". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Kermode and Mayo's Take (21 May 2026). Mark Kermode reviews Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass (Video). Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via YouTube.
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