‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’ Receives Harsh 0 Percent Score on Rotten Tomatoes

‘Tom and Jerry’ have endured through various reinventions, from classic theatrical shorts to a live-action hybrid that premiered in 2021. The iconic cat-and-mouse duo has faced numerous experiments over the years, with Warner Bros. continuously seeking innovative ways to engage modern audiences.

Their latest adventure takes them on a fresh journey, both in narrative and setting. ‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’ transports the duo through time to a distant era after a conflict over a mysterious artifact inadvertently opens a portal, compelling them to collaborate and navigate their way back home.

However, this premise has not impressed critics. The film has garnered a dismal 0 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, marking it as one of the worst-reviewed entries in the franchise’s history.

In contrast to earlier American-made ‘Tom and Jerry’ projects, ‘Forbidden Compass’ was primarily produced for the Chinese market through a collaboration between China Film Co., Warner Bros. Pictures, and Origin Animation, before being released internationally. This film marks the franchise’s first fully computer-animated feature, representing a significant departure from the traditional 2D style that longtime fans cherish.

Having premiered in China in 2025 and screened in the United Kingdom earlier this year, it had ample time to gather reviews before its arrival in American theaters. According to Metacritic, the movie currently holds a score of 24 out of 100, placing it in the “generally unfavorable” category.

Critics have consistently pointed out that the primary issue isn’t with the animation quality or plot coherence, but rather the minimal screen time allocated to the titular characters. Many reviewers noted that once Tom and Jerry arrive in their new environment, they largely take a backseat to a narrative dominated by a different cast of characters rooted in Chinese mythology and folklore.

A review from Variety described the visual style as a chaotic blend of traditional Chinese landscape painting, manga-style action, and classic Hollywood slapstick, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. Another critic from Film Obsessive labeled the film a narrative disaster, claiming it is significantly worse than the already poorly received 1992 theatrical film ‘Tom and Jerry: The Movie.’

For context, that 1992 film holds a 14 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which had long been considered a low point for the franchise. ‘Forbidden Compass’ has now fallen well below that mark, joining a growing list of reviews that describe the film as overstimulating, tonally confused, and disconnected from the essence of the original cartoons.

Warner’s 2021 live-action hybrid ‘Tom & Jerry’ also faced negative reviews upon release but still achieved respectable box office returns, while a follow-up hybrid film went directly to video without a theatrical release. ‘Forbidden Compass’ signifies a fundamentally different approach for the studio, embracing an international co-production model rather than the hybrid live-action strategy previously employed.

While critics have largely been negative, audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes present a more mixed perspective, currently sitting at 38 percent on the Popcornmeter. Some viewers have defended the film, expressing nostalgia for the characters despite the surrounding narrative, while others share the same frustration regarding Tom and Jerry being sidelined in their own franchise entry.

With a 0 percent critic score now attached to its name, ‘Forbidden Compass’ is likely to be remembered as a cautionary tale about how far a beloved franchise can stray from its roots before fans begin to push back.

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