At the time of its release in November 2021, Disney’s *Encanto* was a critical darling and a cultural talking point, though it underwent a unique journey from a "modest" box office performer to a global streaming phenomenon.
### 1. Critical Consensus and Scores
Critically, the film was widely acclaimed for its music, animation, and emotional depth.
* **Rotten Tomatoes:** It debuted with an **91% approval rating** (later settling around 92%). The consensus praised its "vibrant animation" and the "infectious" songs of Lin-Manuel Miranda.
* **Metacritic:** It received a score of **72/100**, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Scores ranged from a perfect 100 (from the *San Francisco Chronicle*) to lower mixed scores of 40 (from *The Guardian*), which found the "Disney formula" somewhat wearying.
* **CinemaScore:** Audiences gave the film an **"A" grade**, signaling high viewer satisfaction.
### 2. Recurring Review Themes
Reviewers specifically highlighted several revolutionary shifts in the typical "Disney formula":
* **The "No Villain" Structure:** Many critics, such as those at *Variety* and *Silver Screen Riot*, noted that the film lacked a traditional antagonist (no "wicked stepmother" or "power-hungry vizier"). Instead, the conflict was internal—focused on **transgenerational trauma** and the pressure to be perfect. *The New York Times* described it as a "sensitive study of family dynamics."
* **Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Music:** The soundtrack was hailed as the film's heartbeat. *The Associated Press* called it a "triumph in every category," particularly noting the storytelling within "Surface Pressure" and "We Don't Talk About Bruno."
* **Visual Fidelity & Animation:** Critics were stunned by the "eye-popping" detail. Reviewers at *The Hollywood Reporter* praised the "lush greenery" and the authentic textures of Colombian textiles, such as the intricate embroidery on Mirabel’s skirt.
* **Cultural Representation:** The film was lauded for its authentic portrayal of Colombian culture—ranging from the inclusion of *arepas* and *vueltiao* hats to the specific history of displacement and "magic realism" inspired by Gabriel García Márquez.
### 3. Initial Box Office vs. Disney+ Explosion
The film's reception was initially complicated by its commercial performance.
* **Theatrical "Underperformance":** Released during the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, *Encanto* grossed roughly **$40 million** in its opening five-day Thanksgiving weekend—a respectable number for the era but lower than previous Disney hits like *Moana* or *Frozen*. Some analysts initially labeled it a "box office disappointment."
* **The "Disney+ Effect":** The narrative shifted dramatically when the film arrived on Disney+ on December 24, 2021. It became a viral sensation almost overnight. By early 2022, it was the most-streamed title on the platform, and its soundtrack took over the Billboard charts.
### 4. Specific Criticisms
While mostly positive, a few critics offered specific "cons":
* **Pacing:** Some reviews (e.g., *FandomWire*) felt the final act was **rushed**, with the resolution of the family's conflict occurring too quickly and neatly given the deep-seated trauma presented.
* **Character Overload:** With 12 members of the Madrigal family, some critics argued the film struggled to give everyone enough screen time, making certain characters feel like "one-note" archetypes based solely on their powers.
* **Plot Stakes:** A minority of critics felt that because the movie rarely left the house (*Casita*), the stakes felt smaller and less "epic" than typical Disney quest narratives.
### 5. Awards and Industry Recognition
The industry reception culminated in significant accolades during the 2021-2022 awards season:
* **Academy Awards:** It won **Best Animated Feature** and received nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song ("Dos Oruguitas").
* **Billboard Success:** "We Don't Talk About Bruno" became the first Disney song to reach **#1 on the Billboard Hot 100** since "A Whole New World" in 1993, eventually surpassing "Let It Go" in chart longevity.