Tom and Jerry are heading back to the big screen with a time-travel adventure in Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass. The animated film sends the iconic cat-and-mouse rivals from a museum chase into a distant era, where their usual rivalry has to give way to teamwork if they want to make it home.
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| TOM AND JERRY: FORBIDDEN COMPASS - STORY • CAST • RELEASE DATE |
Quick Facts
U.S. theatrical release: September 4, 2026
Director / screenwriter: Gang Zhang
Distributor: Viva Pictures
Rating: PG
Genres: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original production year: 2025
TMDB movie ID: 1497970
Runtime note: current listings are not completely
consistent. Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb list 1h 44m, while AMC and Fandango list
1h 30m; the BBFC classified a 99-minute version. Because regional and
theatrical versions may differ, check the exact runtime shown by your local
theater.
Watch the Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass Trailer
The trailer introduces the film's central setup: one of Tom
and Jerry's chaotic chases leads them to a magical compass, and the object
throws them into a spectacular world far removed from home.
What Is Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass About?
During a chase inside a museum, Tom and Jerry discover a
magical object and are transported through time. Lost in a distant era, they
must put aside at least some of their never-ending rivalry and work together to
find a path back home.
More detailed international descriptions place the duo in an
ancient city and build the adventure around a precious or mystical compass. The
setting gives the film room for fantasy action, new allies, villains and the
kind of slapstick chaos that has defined Tom and Jerry for generations.
When Does Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass Release in the U.S.?
Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass is scheduled to open in
U.S. theaters on September 4, 2026. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the release
as limited, while The Numbers lists a wide domestic release through Viva
Pictures. Major theater chains including AMC and Fandango also show September 4
as the opening date.
The film was produced earlier and has already appeared in
several international markets, which is why some databases identify it as a
2025 movie even though its U.S. theatrical rollout is taking place in 2026.
Why the Forbidden Compass Matters to the Story
The compass is more than a simple prop. It is the device
that turns an ordinary Tom-and-Jerry chase into a time-travel fantasy. Once the
pair are removed from their familiar world, they have to navigate a new
culture, unfamiliar threats and a larger adventure that forces them to
cooperate.
That setup gives the movie a slightly different flavor from
a standard collection of chase gags. The comedy remains important, but the
story also has a clear quest: survive the new world, understand the compass and
find a way home.
Cast and Characters
Who Directed Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass?
Gang Zhang directs and is credited as the screenwriter.
Joseph Barbera and William Hanna are also credited in connection with the
original characters.
The film is a computer-animated production associated with
China Film Co., Ltd. and Warner Bros. Discovery-related rights holders, with
Viva Pictures handling the U.S. theatrical release.
What Is the Rating?
The U.S. rating is PG. Rotten Tomatoes lists the reason as
action/violence. The BBFC's classification notes mild threat and slapstick
violence, including fantastical chases and comic impacts rather than realistic
injury.
How Long Is Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass?
This is the one detail that currently varies by source.
Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb list the movie at 1 hour 44 minutes, AMC and Fandango
list 1 hour 30 minutes, and the BBFC lists a 99-minute classified version. For
RecapRush, it is safest to describe the runtime as approximately 90-104 minutes
depending on the market or version until U.S. theaters settle on a single
listing.
What Makes This Tom and Jerry Movie Different?
• Tom and Jerry are pulled into a time-travel adventure instead of
staying in a familiar modern setting.
• The magical compass gives the story a clear fantasy quest and a
way to move the duo into an ancient world.
• The movie uses full computer animation rather than the classic
hand-drawn look most closely associated with the characters.
• The story requires Tom and Jerry to cooperate even while their
rivalry and slapstick humor continue.
• The adventure expands beyond a simple chase into fantasy action
involving new allies, villains and a larger mission.
Do You Need to Know Tom and Jerry Before Watching?
Not really. The basic relationship is simple enough for new
viewers: Tom chases Jerry, Jerry outsmarts Tom, and the two frequently become
reluctant partners when a bigger problem appears. Forbidden Compass uses that
familiar dynamic as the starting point for a self-contained adventure.
Final Thoughts
Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass looks designed as a
family-friendly theatrical adventure that keeps the duo's classic rivalry but
places it inside a bigger fantasy story. The time-travel premise, ancient-city
setting and magical compass give the film a visual identity of its own, while
the PG rating keeps it positioned for families and younger audiences.
With the U.S. release set for September 4, 2026, the movie
is one of the early family-animation openings of the fall season.
Reference Sources
• Rotten Tomatoes - Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass
• Rotten Tomatoes - Cast & Crew
• AMC Theatres - Tom and Jerry: The Forbidden Compass
• Fandango - Tom and Jerry Forbidden Compass
• BBFC - Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass
• The Numbers - Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass