Abominable

A scrappy teen named Yi spots a lost, glowing Yeti on a rooftop and decides to help him get home. She recruits two classmates, a shy boy and his quick-witted friend, and together they set off across the country with the gentle creature they call Everest. Their trip mixes small, funny mishaps with moments of wonder as they try to keep Everest hidden from a ruthless collector who wants the Yeti for himself. Along the way the kids learn more about one another and about why Everest means so much to Yi, all without spoiling how things turn out.

Directed by Jill Culton, the film features voice performances from Chloe Bennet as Yi, Albert Tsai as Peng, Eddie Izzard as the antagonist Burnish, and Tenzing Norgay Trainor as Jin. It’s an original animated family feature that blends Western studio craft with an East Asian setting and sensibility.

Released in 2019, Abominable performed well with family audiences around the world, drawing solid box office returns and strong interest in overseas markets. Its mix of action and heart helped it compete in a crowded animated field that year.

The movie’s visuals and the design of Everest stuck with audiences, and the image of the small group traveling by train and plane became a memorable sequence for many viewers. Its representation of Chinese landscapes and urban life gave the film a distinctive look compared with typical Western-set animations, and that helped it resonate with international viewers.

Critics and audiences gave Abominable generally favorable marks, with an audience vote averaging about 7.5 out of 10. Reviewers praised the film’s warmth, the chemistry among the young leads, and the energetic animation, while noting the plot follows familiar family-movie patterns. Key themes include friendship, the idea of home, and the importance of empathy when facing loss, all delivered in a way that’s accessible for kids while still enjoyable for adults.