The film plucks our heartstrings and, despite our awareness of its manipulative formula and inherent melodrama, it nonetheless accomplishes everything the story sets out to do with impressive precision.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 11, 2022

With great truth-based story in the hands of a brilliant woman director, this film brings women into their rightful place in moviemaking.

| Nov 4, 2021

While there's no points for originality, Queen of Katwe still scores a win.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 28, 2021

A crowd-pleasing tear-jerker of the highest accord.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 21, 2021

Queen of Katwe is still a bright addition to Disney's roster. As audiences and actors demand more complex roles for people of color, let's hope we see more groundbreaking projects like this one.

| Mar 1, 2021

Director Mira Nair rings every ounce of emotion from the inspirational story.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 1, 2021

Even at its most exhilarating, it never loses its restraint. It works wonderfully well both as a human drama and a sports film.

| Jul 24, 2020

Subtlety isn't Queen of Katwe's strongest suit, but it has a big, magnificent heart that most audience's are going to deeply enjoy being near.

| Apr 28, 2020

The acting is top notch: Nalwanga is a fresh presence and is well supported by Oyewolo and Lupita Nyong'o, who despite not looking as someone who had two teenage daughters, makes the role believable out of sheer force.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 5, 2020

Overall, Queen of Katwe is in many ways, classic Disney - uplifting and beautiful to watch with an engaging female protagonist at its core. What makes it all the more amazing is its talented cast.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 14, 2019

Both Nyong'o and Oyelowo are fully capable of bringing the intensity and authenticity to their roles representing inspiring real-life characters, and once again show why they are two of the top actors being hired today.

| Original Score: B | Oct 21, 2019

There's a distinct burden to telling a true story well - and this cast and crew shouldered the task bravely.

| Oct 11, 2019

Director Mira Nair has done a wonderful job taking the inspirational movie formula and creating something special.

| Original Score: A | Apr 4, 2019

Perhaps it's slightly formulaic, but as it's how the real events unfolded it's all the more touching and triumphant.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 12, 2019

Mira Nair brings her characteristic fluid flair, vibrant colour and joyous use of music to the dramatisation of the true story of Phiona Mutesi.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 19, 2019

The ending slightly fizzles, but director Mira Nair's sure, guiding hand, her excellent cast, and the power of the story itself never fails to inspire.

| Original Score: A- | Feb 5, 2019

While some might consider chess a bit of a stretch when it comes to being a sport, the film's infectious charm can't be denied.

| Original Score: B | Jan 15, 2019

...somehow makes watching middle schoolers play competitive chess feel exhilarating...

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 12, 2018

This is an inspirational film about perseverance.

| Nov 13, 2018

And although the film feels strongly familiar in pathos and promise it is still a capable message movie about disenfranchised youngsters that overcome their desperately humble beginnings in the face of unflattering odds.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Nov 9, 2018