Tad, the bumbling Spanish builder turned accidental archaeologist, has been a family favourite since Tad, the Lost Explorer in 2012. His fourth big-screen adventure, Tad and the Magic Lamp, arrives in UK cinemas just in time for half-term, after a big summer release at home in Spain.
It is exactly what you would hope from a Tad film: bright, fast and full of gags, with enough nods to the grown-ups to make the trip bearable for parents. It is not the best of the series, but it is a perfectly cheerful outing.
Tad and the Magic Lamp is a breezy, good-natured family romp that wishes for nothing more than a good time.
Movie at a Glance
- UK and Ireland cinemas: 23 October 2026 (wide release)
- US release: No US release announced
- UK certificate: U
- Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
- Director: Enrique Gato
- Screenplay: Josep Gatell and Manuel Burque
- Original voice cast: Óscar Barberán, Michelle Jenner, Luis Posada, Petra Martínez and Carlos Latre
- Music: Zacarías M. de la Riva
- UK distributor: Paramount Pictures UK
- Genre: Animated adventure comedy
Viewer Match
- Best for: Families with younger children, and anyone who enjoyed Tad’s earlier adventures.
- Maybe skip if: You want the emotional depth of the best animated films, or a sidekick who knows when to stop.
- Mood and pace: Fast, colourful and gag-packed, with plenty of chases.
- Cinema or streaming? Cinema for a half-term treat; otherwise it will make an easy watch at home.
- Spoiler level: Spoiler-free: only the premise.
Be Careful What You Wish For
Tad and Sara are now parents to young Oli, but adventure is never far away. When the gang stumble on a magic lamp and its genie, a wish made by their old friend Mummy sends them back in time, and they must stop history from going badly wrong before they can find their way home.
It is a simple, effective hook that lets director Enrique Gato string together legends, slapstick and action set pieces at a brisk pace.
A Genie Steals the Show
The best addition is the genie herself, voiced in the original Spanish version by Petra Martínez, who brings a mischievous energy to every scene. The gallery of supporting characters is lively, and the action sequences are bright and well staged, with polished animation from the team that has grown up with the series.
Less successful is Mummy, Tad’s loyal sidekick, whose comic antics are pushed so hard this time that he becomes more wearing than funny for older viewers.
Not the Best Tad, but Good Fun
The film does not reach the heights of the third instalment, Tad the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet, and its comic balance is a little off. But it never pretends to be more than an unpretentious romp, and it lands a genuinely sweet ending that sends families out smiling.
For younger children it will be a treat; parents will find enough in-jokes and knowing nods to keep them on side.
Spoiler-Free Verdict
Tad and the Magic Lamp is a bright, energetic and unpretentious family adventure with a scene-stealing genie and a sweet ending. An overworked sidekick and a wobbly comic balance keep it below the series’ best, but younger viewers will have a ball.
- Performances: 6.5/10
- Direction: 6.5/10
- Screenplay: 6/10
- Score: 6.5/10
- Cinematography: 7/10
- Entertainment Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 6.5/10
Star rating: 3/5
Verdict badge: Stream It
One-line verdict: A cheerful, colourful half-term romp that is more fun for kids than for grown-ups.
Watch the Official Trailer
The official trailer may reveal more than this spoiler-free review.
Which Tad adventure is your family’s favourite? Tell Movieversalfilm in the comments.