Ferdinand has its heart in the right place—a pacifist bull who just wants to smell flowers is a lovely premise, and the message about non-violence and staying true to yourself is genuinely valuable for young kids. The animation is pleasant, and it's safe enough for preschoolers with a quick heads-up about the father's death and the bullfighting scenes.

But here's the thing: it's just so formulaic. The jokes fall flat, the plot hits every predictable beat, and the audience score (52% on RT) tells you what you need to know—people were underwhelmed. It's fine for a rainy afternoon with your 5-year-old, but don't expect anyone to be quoting it or asking to rewatch it next week. It's the animated equivalent of a participation trophy: nice effort, forgettable result.