The Secret Garden is a magical mirage of brilliant colour pinned against the backdrop of darkness and loss that illustrates the beautiful escapism of a child’s imagination.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 18, 2025

In a postmodern era where it seems that the originality of cinematographic language is at a detriment due to constant remakes, spin-offs, sequels, prequels and new versions of all kinds, El Jardín Secreto (The Secret Garden, 2020) is no exception.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Dec 28, 2023

I did very much appreciate the film's depiction of the garden, with elements of crumbling old castle, and CGI that allows the filmmakers to amp the charm and mystery up to 100.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 17, 2022

For fans of the source material’s famous story, this version of “The Secret Garden” may disappoint with its focus on mood and emotion rather than plot.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Jul 5, 2022

The allure and magic of The Secret Garden were enough for the producers of the Harry Potter and Paddington films to give their interpretation, which does incorporate some narrative and tonal shifts but doesnt feel different enough.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 26, 2022

This solid new addition to the ranks does not diminish the quiet charm and appreciation of nature that are key to the tale's enduring appeal.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 24, 2021

The movie does not strictly adhere to the book, updating its time period, for instance, by nearly half a century. But the basic plot remains faithful to the original.

| Aug 12, 2021

We've visited this garden many times before, so going back inside is more a nostalgic stroll than an exhilarating drama. Luckily, the sumptuous visuals and gentle tone make that stroll extremely pleasant.

| Mar 30, 2021

...shifts the narrative only to include a number of diversity sops, but the Victorian core of the novel survives...

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 17, 2021

A handsomely made, big CGI movie that plays like Masterpiece Theatre for kids.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 29, 2021

All the characters and all of it is in service of a very workable script that tries too hard to make us believe in the magic of the garden - something that should come naturally, anyway.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 16, 2021

The film belongs to... Egerickx, who makes her character's transition from spoilt and petulant girl to good-hearted saviour every bit as magical as the garden's transformation.

| Dec 21, 2020

This may not be the best movie version of The Secret Garden, but it still makes for thoughtful, quality family viewing.

| Dec 10, 2020

There's value in the old cliché still, and The Secret Garden may be the best excuse yet to re-air it.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 18, 2020

Today's Secret Garden is modern to its core: socially conscious, but also wildly overstimulated.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 12, 2020

Familiar family comfort viewing for unsettling times

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 10, 2020

Any version of The Secret Garden is better than none and while this latest iteration is lacking in grief and gothic, it's a pleasing old-fashioned family film bolstered by lovely performances.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 10, 2020

The captivating imagery outlines an affecting tale of childhood resilience amid fractured family ties, centring on Egerickx's involving performance.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 10, 2020

The Secret Garden can't quite decide whether it wants to be sad or joyous, about actual magic or that which can be found in the imagination of a child, and as a result lands squarely in middle-of-the-road, or garden path mundanity.

| Nov 5, 2020

This story bristles with timeless themes about overcoming anger and grief, the resourcefulness of children and the fact that parents can learn a lot from kids.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 30, 2020