Billy Owens and the Secret of the Runes

Billy Owens and the Secret of the Runes follows a trio of schoolmates who have to break a strange magical bond when their teacher's soul is trapped inside an ornate amulet. Billy Owens leads Devon and Mandy as they follow cryptic runes, old maps, and a string of supernatural clues around their town. They tangle with odd characters, unexpected hazards, and glimpses of otherworldly science while trying to piece together how the amulet works. The tone stays child-friendly, with moments of light suspense and humor, and the plot keeps to the puzzle of freeing their mentor without revealing any surprises about how it all ends.

Released in 2010, the film was directed by Mark McNabb and created by Barry Cowan. It leans into family adventure and light fantasy, and features Roddy Piper as William Thurgood alongside Dalton Mugridge, Christopher Fazio, and Ciara O'Hanlon.

The movie did not receive major industry awards or high-profile nominations. It was largely overlooked during awards season and remains outside most festival and award circuits.

While it never broke into mainstream pop culture, the film has a small audience among viewers who like low-budget family fantasy. Roddy Piper's presence gives it a bit of nostalgic interest, and some viewers remember the practical-effects charm and earnest performances more than production polish.

Critical and audience response has been mixed to negative, reflected in a modest 4.2/10 user score across limited votes. Reviewers tend to note its kid-friendly approach and straightforward themes, such as teamwork, loyalty, and problem-solving, even if pacing and special effects fall short of larger studio efforts. It's a watch mostly suited to younger viewers or fans of offbeat family films who don't mind a modest production.