White Bird: A Wonder Storyhas received a near-perfect audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.The movie acts as both a prequel and a sequel to Julia Roberts' 2017Wonder, based on the R.J. Palacio novel of the same name, which grossed $315 million at the worldwide box office.White Bird’s story, based on Palacio’sWhite Birdgraphic novel, follows Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) after he has been expelled from Beecher Prep and as he learns about the experiences that his grandmother (Helen Mirren) had as a Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France.
PerRotten Tomatoes,White Birdhas a 99% audience scorebased on more than 250 verified ratings. The critical score is not as high, but it is still fresh, at 72%. Critics generally preferredWondertoWhite Bird, with the 2017 movie receiving an 86% critical score. General audiences, on the other hand, overall preferWhite Bird, asWonder’s audience score only reached 88%.White Bird’s scores may change further as its theatrical run continues.
What This Means For White Bird
It Has Become A Surprise Hit
White Birdwas released in several international markets in January 2024 and is now gaining more recognition following its U.S. theatrical release.Audiencereviews praiseWhite Bird’sgenuinely emotional story, the valuable lessons it teaches, visually appealing cinematography, and strong leading performances from Ariella Glaser and Orlando Schwerdt. While it is rated PG-13, the movie is described by many reviews as being accessible and important for young teenagers to see.
White Bird: A Wonder Story Cast & Character Guide
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Even thoughWhite Birddoes have a connection totheWonderending, this connection is not being touted as one of the 2024 movie’s greatest strengths. TheWonderconnection is an entry point to the movie, butWhite Birdis mostly focused on its moving World War II-era storyand the timeless lessons that Julian and the audience can take away from these experiences. These elements have enabledWhite Birdto become a surprise audience hit, and positive word of mouth may help it have greater longevity at the domestic box office.
Our Take On White Bird’s Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
White Bird’s Success Goes Beyond Its Wonder Connection
It is impressive that even withoutRoberts and otherWonderactors,White Birdhas resonated well with audiences. Even with its somewhat loose connection toWonder, it is surprising that the movie did not receive more attention before its release. That makes it all the more impressive that it is now attracting more attention andan overwhelmingly positive response based more on its own meritsthan it being aWonderprequel and sequel.White Birdcould become even more memorable thanWonderif the new movie’s positive reception continues.
Could There Be More Wonder Movies?
There Are Other Books
White Birdis not the onlyWonderspinoff book that Palacio has written, with the others being365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts,We’re All Wonders, andAuggie and Me. 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Preceptsfocuses on the perspective ofWonder’s English teacher, Mr. Browne, who was played by Daveed Diggs in the movie. The book features Mr. Browne’s precepts, along with conversations he had with Julian, Auggie, Jack Will, Summer, andotherWondercharacters, all of which provide insight into the characters' stories afterWonder’s conclusion.
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We’re All Wondersis essentially an illustrated children’s book adaptation ofWonder. As forAuggie and Me, the book is told from the perspectives of Julian, Christopher, and Auggie’s new friend, Charlotte, before Auggie’s school year at Beecher Prep begins. Despite having potential source material for newWondermovies,none of these existing books are likely to receive film adaptations, even when takingWhite Bird’s success into consideration.
For now, theWondermovie franchise has ended with two distinct coming-of-age stories that have been embraced by audiences despite their considerable differences, withWhite Bird: A Wonder Storybeing a surprising, but meaningful way to expand the original story
The issue with the other books is that they either repeatWonder’s story in a different medium or their stories are too small to warrant a full-fledged movie adaptation.AnotherWondermovie would require a more substantial story, whether it be a direct sequel, or a spinoff in the style ofWhite Bird. For now, theWondermovie franchise has ended with two distinct coming-of-age stories that have been embraced by audiences despite their considerable differences, withWhite Bird: A Wonder Storybeing a surprising, but meaningful way to expand the original story.
White Bird
Cast
White Bird follows Julian’s transformative journey after his expulsion from Beecher Prep, as his grandmother recounts her courageous story of survival in Nazi-occupied France, where she was sheltered by a classmate amidst growing dangers.
