Orion and the Dark
"Hello Darkness, my new friend."
Orion is a kid whose imagination turns a dark night into a playground of possibilities. He wrestles with fears and curiosity as a giant presence named Dark appears in the shadows, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, while Orion is voiced by Jacob Tremblay. What starts as a wary encounter becomes a... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 24, 2026
About Orion and the Dark
Orion is a kid whose imagination turns a dark night into a playground of possibilities. He wrestles with fears and curiosity as a giant presence named Dark appears in the shadows, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, while Orion is voiced by Jacob Tremblay. What starts as a wary encounter becomes a comforting adventure through a town, a sky, and rooms breathe with light. Together they face moments that test Orion's nerve, while Dark offers warmth and humor rather than menace. The night becomes a space where questions matter more than answers, where courage grows from asking for help. The film blends humor with heart, inviting families to talk about things scare them and the friends who help them move forward.
Production & Release: This animated feature is the creation of Kent Osborne, Leah Artwick and Joe Bernados. It presents an original screenplay told through lively animation and a voice cast that brings a gentle fantasy to life for family audiences.
Box Office: Public box office numbers for Orion and the Dark have not been disclosed. The film seems aimed at a broad family audience, with a modest release strategy that highlights streaming availability alongside selective theatrical showings, catering to both families and casual fans.
Awards: At this time there are no major awards announced for Orion and the Dark. The project has earned attention for its charming design, warm performances and its clear emphasis on friendship and resilience, which may help it become a favorite at family festivals or eventual home viewing.
Reception & Themes: The film holds a 6.5 out of 10 from 611 votes, indicating a mixed to favorable reception. It centers on imagination as a tool for coping with fear, the value of asking for help, and the idea that even a large ally can teach gentleness and bravery without losing humor.
What Viewers Are Saying
Orion and the Dark on Netflix tries to blend kid friendly charm with a darker Kaufman flavored vibe as Orion grapples with fears that linger in the shadows. Fans talk about the 2D and 3D animation mix as a highlight, but the overall look feels bland and some scenes come off unfinished without real shadows or depth. It's a film that sticks to its core message about accepting fear and can be a fun watch for kids, but the humor misses for some and the plot can feel tangled or slow in places.
Details
- Release Date
- February 01, 2024
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Rating
- PG
- User Ratings
- 611 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- DreamWorks Animation
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Jacob Tremblay
Orion (voice)
Paul Walter Hauser
Dark (voice)
Angela Bassett
Sweet Dreams (voice)
Colin Hanks
Adult Orion (voice)
Natasia Demetriou
Sleep (voice)
Golda Rosheuvel
Unexplained Noises (voice)
Nat Faxon
Insomnia (voice)
Aparna Nancherla
Quiet (voice)
Ike Barinholtz
Light (voice)
Carla Gugino
Orion's Mom (voice)
Written by: Kent Osborne, Leah Artwick, Joe Bernados