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Walter Buschhoff, Rolf Knie, Gaston Haeni, Pipo Sosman, Shari Weiser ... see more see more... , Chad Carlson , Elizabeth Schot , Mona Lee Goss , Herbert Heldt , Ray Samberg , Wanda Burke , Jean Leroy , Veronica Loomis , John Kanarowski , Tony Barton , Drew Barrymore , Eileen Brennan , Googy Gress , Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita , Richard Mulligan , Keanu Reeves , Jill Schoelen

While Walt Disney's 1961 filmization of Victor Herbert's Babes in Toyland pales in comparison to the 1934 movie version starring Laurel & Hardy, the Disney film is an unqualified classic when compared... read more read more... to the ill-starred 1986 TV version. Adapted for television by playwright Paul Zindel, the 1986 film stars Drew Barrymore as Lisa Piper, a contemporary girl whisked off Wizard of Oz fashion to Toyland. Here her friends and family from the "real" world are reincarnated as villainous Barnaby (Richard Mulligan), Old Mother Hubbard (Eileen Brennan), Jack-Be-Nimble (Keanu Reeves) et. al. Only "March of the Toys" and "Toyland" have been retained from the original Victor Herbert score; the rest of the songs were specially written for this adaptation by Leslie Bricusse-and, suffice to say, these were hardly classics. Irreparably damaging this version was its 180-minute length-over twice as long as the Laurel & Hardy version, and not even half as good. Filmed in Munich, Babes in Toyland was first telecast December 19, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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48% liked it

4,571 ratings

G, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Clive Donner

Release Date: December 19, 1986

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DVD Release Date: November 21, 1991

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Stats: 271 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (271)


  • January 28, 2011
    I'm not a fan of any of these movies of Babes in Toyland, the story is predictable, the dialogue is horrible, the whole thing is very silly and makes no sense. Of course kids may still enjoy it, and it was nice to see a couple of 80s stars in this movie, but that's it.
  • May 29, 2010
    Just too outlandish and cartoonish for its own good. Poor little Drew Barrymoore hits her head and imagines this crazy world where Keanu Reeves acts like a Ken doll and an old evil man tries to marry her sister. The low budget factor only makes it seem more strange, but I think i... read moret's worth seeing for all the campy performances.
  • May 15, 2010
    CAST: DREW Barrymore, Keanu Reeves, Anette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Richard Mulligan

    DIRECTOR: Clive Donner

    SUMMARY: 11-year-old Lisa has no time for toys; she's too busy taking care of her siblings and cooking for her mother. During the Christmas Eve blizzard, Lisa travels ... read moreto Toyland in Wizard of Oz-like fashion and arrives just in time for a wedding. Young Mary Contrary is about to marry mean, old Barnaby Barnacle, despite the fact that she loves Jack Be Nimble. Lisa tries to stop this terrible wedding and, together with her new friends, discovers that Barnaby wants to take over Toyland. Lisa, Mary, Jack, and Georgie Porgie ask the Toymaster for help, but he can't help them as long as Lisa doesn't truly believe in toys.

    MY THOUGHTS: Simply a bad silly movie, loaded with bad acting, a bad script and just really weird. Not the good weird either.
  • December 16, 2008
    One of my wife's favorites from her childhood. The same basic characters from the other two Babes in Toyland/March of the Wooden Soldiers movies are here. I couldn't stand the sugary sweetness or over acting in it though. I prefer either of the earlier versions.
  • May 18, 2010
    I remember that this was for sale at McDonalds one Christmas season. Tells you the caliber of the movie.
  • April 23, 2009
    A totally adorable musical romcom! Keanu Reeves & Drew Barrymore are both so much younger in this...!! Drew is especially cute...only 11 years old :) My favorite song was the really short "Cincinnati" at the beginning. I think I watched this at my friend's house in 3rd grade, but... read more I barely remember doing so. Anyways, if you are looking for lightweight splashy fun, this is perfect! Just be forewarned: near the end, at about 75 mins, it is REALLY corny and cheesy, lol.
    I think they should do a remake! With a better script and CGI monsters/Toylanders so it's not so dorky haha
  • February 9, 2009
    Overacted, silly, and not well made. It's fun if you just want to sit there and not think for a while and watch Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeve, but that's all.
  • June 25, 2008
    Drew and Keanu are so young in this Christmas film. I get sucked into watching it every year, the music and storyline are just so catchy! :D
    ::|::Favorite::|::
  • May 19, 2007
    I love how it shows a child's imagination. I love how the toys come to life in the movie. I wish my toys could talk well I used to back when I was really little.
  • April 25, 2007
    Run away quickly before it gets you!!!! Pat Morita is ever precious but not at his best, Barrymore is pathertic, Mulligan is the ever mugging fool, but Reeves tries to make you believe it (though he needed another take on the vocal tracks for pitch adjustment). I was tortured w... read moreith this movie by children who loved it for years ... like I said RUN AWAY FAST!

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Babes in Toyland Trivia


  • Which movie was the first movie that Keanu Reeves played in?  Answer »
  • Which 1986 film starred a young Keanu Reeves alongside an even younger Drew Barrymore?   Answer »
  • What movie had this tag line ! and 1/2 hours of laughter ?   Answer »
  • What film has this quote:Toy Maker: What do you think of the Wooden Soldiers? Santa Clause : They're nice but they're not what I ordered . I ordered 600 soldiers one foot high. Toy maker: Oh I thought you said 100 soldiers six feet high"?  Answer »

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