Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass (Chinese: 猫和老鼠：星盘奇缘; also released in the United States as "Tom and Jerry and the Forbidden Compass") is a 2025 animated adventure comedy film based on the Tom and Jerry franchise created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Written and directed by Zhang Gang, the film was produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures and Origin Animation It is the first fully computer-animated feature-length film in the Tom and Jerry franchise.
The film premiered at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on 21 June 2025 and was released theatrically by Wuzhou Film Distribution in China on 2 August 2025. The film was also released theatrically by Viva Pictures in the United States on 4 September 2026 under its Viva Kids label. It was universally panned[globalize] by both critics and audiences, and has grossed over $5million worldwide.
During a chase through a museum, Tom and Jerry discover a mysterious compass that transports them to a fantastical world inspired by Chinese mythology. To return home, the pair must work together on a journey involving magical creatures, ancient secrets, and new allies.
Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass was written and directed by Zhang Gang and produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures, Origin Animation, and Turner Entertainment Co. The project was developed as a Chinese co-production and marked the first fully computer-animated feature film in the Tom and Jerry franchise. The filmmakers sought to combine the classic slapstick comedy of Tom and Jerry with elements of Chinese mythology, folklore, and fantasy adventure. The film was produced with the participation of Warner Bros. Pictures, which collaborated with Chinese partners on the project.
ReDefine Animation handled animation services, while Fame's Skopje Studio Orchestra in North Macedonia handled music, alongside composer, Hank Lee.[citation needed]
Release
Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass had its world premiere at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on 21 June 2025, where it was screened as part of the festival's animation lineup. Warner Bros. Pictures announced the film's Chinese theatrical release in June 2025. Distributed by Wuzhou Film Distribution Co., Ltd., the film was released nationwide in China on 2 August 2025. In April 2026, Viva Pictures acquired North American distribution rights to the film. The company scheduled a theatrical release in the United States for 9 September 2026 under its Viva Kids label. On 5 August 2026, the film was moved up a week to 4 September.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 0% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.2/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 24 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.
Leslie Felperin of The Guardian awarded the film two out of five stars, criticizing its excessive visual spectacle and describing the film as "a barrage of bright colours and noise". Tara Brady of The Irish Times also gave the film two out of five stars, writing that Tom and Jerry were overshadowed by newly introduced characters and that the film strayed too far from the franchise's traditional formula. Mark Kermode was similarly critical, comparing the viewing experience to "being shouted at by a hyperactive child".
Notes
↑Although the credits list Todd Haberkorn as Sonny, Jones would confirm to being the actual voice of the character.
