Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass review- When classic chaos meets fantasy

Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass takes the iconic cat-and-mouse duo on a supernatural adventure that is far removed from the simple chase comedy that made them famous.

The film, released on Saturday, September 5, 2026, begins with Tom and Jerry caught in one of their familiar chaotic pursuits through a New York museum.

Their encounter with a mysterious compass sends them into a fantastical world inspired by Chinese folklore, where gods, mythical creatures and talking animals replace the familiar settings of their classic battles.

A familiar duo in an unfamiliar world

The opening offers a glimpse of the classic Tom and Jerry formula. The museum chase is energetic, filled with physical comedy, visual gags and the exaggerated violence that has defined the characters for generations.

Unfortunately, that energy becomes less consistent once the pair enter the mystical world.

Tom is mistaken for a divine messenger, while Jerry becomes involved with a powerful crime-lord rat. Along the way, they encounter characters including the phoenix guardian and opera cat Jade, as well as the enormous Mega-Rat.

The result is an adventure that often feels more interested in its supporting characters and mythology than Tom and Jerry themselves.

Big visuals, familiar story

Visually, Forbidden Compass is certainly ambitious. The film fills its world with colourful palaces, fireworks, magical landscapes and large-scale action sequences. The animation gives the story a bright, cinematic quality that is likely to appeal to younger viewers.

But the spectacle comes at a cost. Classic Tom and Jerry comedy usually depends on a simple premise that gradually escalates into increasingly inventive chaos.

Here, the film adds gods, magical objects, moral lessons and a larger adventure narrative, making the story feel crowded.

The film also leans heavily on themes of teamwork and friendship. While these messages are suitable for younger audiences, they somewhat undermine the central appeal of Tom and Jerry, whose greatest strength has traditionally been their hilarious inability to get along.

The English voice cast is competent, but the film cannot fully recreate the chemistry of the original shorts because Tom and Jerry are given less room to drive the comedy themselves.

Young viewers may enjoy the colourful animation, constant action and fantastical setting. Longtime fans, however, may find themselves wishing the film would slow down and let the famous cat and mouse simply chase, outsmart and torment each other.

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