A Magnificent Life () is a 2025 adult animated biographical drama film written and directed by Sylvain Chomet. The film had its world premiere at the Special Screenings section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 17 May 2025, and was theatrically released in France by Wild Bunch on 15 October 2025.
Summary It follows the life of 60-year-old Marcel Pagnol, an acclaimed playwright, novelist and filmmaker, who is visited by a vision of his childhood self.
Cast
Laurent Lafitte as Marcel Pagnol Géraldine Pailhas as Augustine Pagnol
Production In June 2021, the film was announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, with Sylvain Chomet directing the film, and Aton Soumache and Ashargin Poiré serving as producers.
Release In May 2022, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film for North and Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, Scandinavia, India, Italy, airlines and ships. In May 2024, Picturehouse Entertainment acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights. The film was released in France on 15 October 2025, by Wild Bunch. The film was released in the United States on 27 March 2026. The film had its world premiere at Special Screenings section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 17 May 2025. It also screened as a part of the official competition at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Reception On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 55 critic reviews are positive.
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com wrote, "...the film might feel slight compared to both the work of its subject and the other works by its director. But Chomet’s eye for hand-drawn animation remains a gift, and this film is deeper than it first appears."
Accolades Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Annecy International Animation Film Festival 14 June 2025 Best Feature Film A Magnificent Life New York Film Critics Online December 15, 2025 Best Animation Lumière Awards 18 January 2026 Best Animated Film Annie Awards February 21, 2026 Best Feature - Independent Seville European Film Festival7–15 November 2025Giraldillo de Oro – Best Film
References
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