The Magic Faraway Tree follows siblings Beth, Joe, and Frannie as they move to the countryside and discover an enormous, enchanted tree hidden deep in the nearby forest. Climbing its branches, they meet a host of magical characters, including the eccentric Moon-Face, the grumpy Saucepan Man, and the ever-changing lands that appear at the top of the tree—each one bringing a new and unpredictable adventure.

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As the children return again and again, they are swept into a series of strange and exciting worlds where the rules constantly shift and danger can appear without warning. Along the way, they must rely on courage, quick thinking, and their growing friendships to navigate the mysteries of the tree, all while learning that not every magical place is as friendly as it first seems.

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My kids are constantly creating stories. Tales of princesses vanquishing monsters, Spider-Man fighting invisible enemies, and Hot Wheels cars crashing into Lightning McQueen with such force that they fly (or are thrown off the deck). At four and two, they are at peak imagination creation. 

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The Magic Faraway Tree is a film dedicated to wild, childhood imagining and the pure, uncorrupted joy of being a kid. The story is simple enough, following the Thompson family, which have the normal family triumphs and challenges thrown their way (Garfield and Foy recapture their wonderful chemistry from 2017’s Breathe as Mum and Dad). And in the midst of the normal comings and goings of family life, magic is to be found - and not just in the enchanted tree. 

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The magical worlds they explore are so lovingly created and bursting with wild imagination. From the pop cakes that literally explode in your mouth to birthday wishes that actually come true and a magical door that reverses everything, its just so wonderful you can’t help but have a silly smile plastered on your face throughout. 

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But the ‘real’ magic is found in the final act of the film where the family all pull together to make their new found life in the countryside work. It’s utterly charming and had me longing for those long summer days playing, helping, and working out on the farm as a kid. Nostalgia overload. 

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My little imaginative, story creating four year old stood, leaning against the balcony edge near our seats, transfixed throughout (apart from when she needed to hug Dad when the scary Dame Snap appeared). You can’t get a better stamp of approval than that. 

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Filled to bursting with whimsy, joy, and wonder, The Magic Faraway Tree is pure family film magic.