Honestly, it’s rare to find a movie that everyone just sort of agrees on. Usually, you’ve got critics tearing a film apart while audiences love it, or vice versa. But the rating of movie wonder is one of those weird outliers where the math actually reflects the emotion. If you look at the numbers—an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a massive 88% from the audience—it tells a very specific story. It tells us that Auggie Pullman’s journey didn’t just work; it landed exactly where it needed to.
The 2017 film, directed by Stephen Chbosky, had a lot to lose. When you adapt a book as beloved as R.J. Palacio’s, you're basically walking a tightrope. One wrong move and it becomes "disability porn" or just plain sappy. Yet, the high rating of movie wonder persists because the film refused to be a one-dimensional tear-jerker. It’s a movie about perspective, and that’s why it still gets recommended in 2026.
Breaking Down the Rating of Movie Wonder: Critics vs. The Public
Critics can be cynical. They see the "inspiring kid" trope coming from a mile away and usually start sharpening their pens. But with Wonder, the consensus was surprisingly warm. Why? Because the film didn’t just stay on Auggie. By shifting the perspective to his sister Via, his friend Jack Will, and even Via’s friend Miranda, the movie gained a layer of complexity that pushed its rating higher than your average family drama.
What the "Certified Fresh" Status Actually Means
When people check the rating of movie wonder, they often look at that 85% critic score. It’s "Certified Fresh," which isn't just a Participation Trophy. It means that out of nearly 200 professional reviews, the vast majority found the film’s "Be Kind" message to be earned rather than forced. Critics like Peter Travers and those writing for The New York Times pointed out that Jacob Tremblay’s performance—underneath layers of prosthetic makeup—was the anchor. If that performance had failed, the movie would have tanked.
Audiences went even further. An A+ CinemaScore is the holy grail of the industry. It’s basically the movie version of a standing ovation. People weren't just watching it; they were buying into it.
The Jacob Tremblay Factor and the Prosthetics Controversy
You can’t talk about the rating of movie wonder without mentioning the elephant in the room: the casting. Even back in 2017, there was a heated debate about whether a child with actual craniofacial differences should have played Auggie Pullman. Jacob Tremblay is a phenomenal actor, but some argued that using prosthetics on a typically developing child felt like a missed opportunity for authentic representation.
This debate is actually a big part of why the movie sits in a complex spot in film history. While it didn't tank the ratings, it added a layer of critical discourse that you’ll still find in film school discussions today. The makeup team, led by Arjen Tuiten, was nominated for an Academy Award. They spent hours every day applying silk-thin appliances to Tremblay’s face. It was a technical marvel, but for some, it was a barrier to true authenticity.
Why the Story Structure Saved It
If the movie had stayed 100% focused on Auggie, it might have felt claustrophobic. Instead, Chbosky used "chapters."
- We see Auggie’s fear of starting middle school.
- We jump to Via, who feels invisible because her brother’s needs always come first.
- We see Jack Will’s struggle between being a "cool kid" and being a good friend.
This structure is the secret sauce. It makes the rating of movie wonder feel deserved because it acknowledges that everyone—not just the protagonist—is fighting a hard battle. It’s a message that resonates regardless of whether you’re ten years old or fifty.
Comparing Wonder to Other "Emotional" Heavyweights
To understand why a 7.9/10 on IMDb is actually quite high for this genre, you have to look at its peers. Look at Mask (1985) or The Elephant Man. Those are heavy, often tragic films. Wonder managed to stay in the "General Audience" lane without losing its teeth. It’s PG. It’s safe for schools. But it still shows a kid getting betrayed by his best friend on Halloween. It shows the death of a beloved family dog. It doesn't sugarcoat the loneliness.
Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts played the parents with a groundedness that kept the film from drifting into Hallmark territory. Roberts, in particular, captured that specific parental anxiety—the "I can't protect you forever" heartbreak—that helped boost the film's appeal to adults. That’s why the rating of movie wonder stays consistent across demographics. It’s not just a "kids' movie."
Does the Rating Hold Up in 2026?
Looking back from nearly a decade out, the rating of movie wonder feels like a snapshot of a time when we were desperate for a bit of empathy. In a world of loud blockbusters and cynical reboots, this was a quiet story about being a "mensch."
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The film's impact wasn't just at the box office ($306 million on a $20 million budget—think about that). It moved into the education system. Thousands of middle schools still use the "Choose Kind" curriculum. When a film transitions from "entertainment" to "educational tool," its rating becomes less about stars and more about its cultural footprint.
The Nuance of the "A+" CinemaScore
It is incredibly hard to get an A+ CinemaScore. Most Marvel movies don't even get it. It requires a perfect alignment of expectation and delivery. When people went to see Wonder, they expected to cry and feel inspired. They got exactly that, but with better acting than they anticipated.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re revisiting the film or showing it to someone for the first time, don't just focus on the "sad" parts. To truly appreciate why the rating of movie wonder is so high, look for the subtle details in the background.
- Watch the shoes. The movie uses shoes as a motif for Auggie’s perspective. He looks at the floor to avoid eye contact, so he judges people by their footwear. It’s a brilliant piece of visual storytelling.
- Pay attention to Via. Her arc is arguably the most realistic. The "glass child" syndrome—where the sibling of a high-needs child is overlooked—is handled with incredible grace.
- Check the lighting. Notice how the color palette shifts from the sterile, bright lights of the school to the warm, amber tones of the Pullman home. It’s a visual representation of Auggie’s safety.
- Evaluate the "bully" arc. Julian isn't just a "bad kid." The movie (and the deleted scenes/follow-up material) suggests his behavior is a product of his parents' influence. It’s a lesson in systemic behavior rather than just "good vs. evil."
The rating of movie wonder isn't just a number on a screen. It’s a reflection of a movie that understood its audience perfectly. It didn't try to be "cool." It tried to be honest. And in the world of cinema, honesty is usually what survives the test of time. If you haven't seen it in a while, it's worth a second look, if only to see how Jacob Tremblay’s eyes do more acting than most people do with their whole bodies.
For those interested in the broader impact, research the "Choose Kind" movement initiated by R.J. Palacio. It provides a real-world framework for the themes seen in the film, turning the cinematic experience into a tangible social practice. You can also look into the 2024 spin-off, White Bird, which expands the universe and maintains the same thematic integrity that made the original rating of movie wonder so impressive to begin with.