The Land of Sometimes Cinema Review

4 star fun for the whole family.

Based on the original audiobook by Francesca Longrigg (The Boat that Rocked), The Land of Sometimes is a 2026 animated children’s feature film, from the producers of Saving Santa, Toy Story and How to Train Your Dragon.

Also featuring new music from Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aladdin), it is in UK cinemas from 20th March 2026, courtesy of Kaleidoscope Entertainment.

“Appreciate what? We live in this ramshackle house in the middle of nowhere. We have nothing.”

As the film opens, we meet a friendly postman (Mel Brooks – Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles), delivering a very important letter to a family, in a run down house at the top of a cliff. Twins Alfie (Andrei Shen – Matilda: The Musical) and Elise (Alisha Weir – Wicked Little Letters, Abigail) live in this house with their Mother (Jessica Henwick – Glass Onion, Love and Monsters) and Father (Calum Callaghan – Mr Selfridge (TV Series)). They are happy, but when Father heads away to war and is missing in action, everything changes.

Elise is unhappy and constantly misbehaves, wanting to leave the big old house. On Christmas Eve, Mother gives them the watch left by Father, in case of emergencies. This watch, she tells them, can summon the Wish Collector (Ewan McGregor – Mortdecai, Doctor Sleep), who can take them away to The Land of Sometimes. Sceptical, they make a wish anyway and sure enough, a majestic ship arrives to carry them away on a wild adventure.

They are granted three wishes each, but there is a catch. One day holds all four seasons in The Land of Sometimes and all wishes must be completed by the time winter ends or they will be trapped on the island forever. They encounter many colourful characters, including the mechanical guardian (Stefan Ashton Frank – Driver 2 (Video Game), Cyberpunk 2077 (Video Game)), the boy with flying feet (Asa Butterfield – Departures, Ender’s Game) and the mischievous Mediocris (Helena Bonham Carter – Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd) . Can they learn the value of what they have and make their wishes carefully?

“What if we had all the wishes we wanted? I’d wish myself away from this place and away from everybody telling me what to do all the time.”

The Land of Sometimes is a treat for the eyes, which will look amazing on the big screen. The creatures are weird and wonderful and well animated, everything is vibrant and colourful and full of life.

The voice acting is also excellent, as you would expect from such a glittering cast, with songs which are fun and catchy in the moment (if a little forgettable in the long term). While it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table story wise, the familiar messages of family, friendship and being careful what you wish for shine through strongly here and bring positive reinforcement without being too preachy.

It’s heartwarming, easy to watch and all in all, very enjoyable and well worth a trip to the cinema.

“I’m just a door. I don’t know where I lead. Maybe you need to try another.”