Arthur and the Invisibles vs Minimoys: Key Differences

Few films arrive with two different identities, but Arthur and the Invisibles managed exactly that. You might know it as Arthur and the Minimoys — the original international title — if you caught it outside the United States.

Release date: December 29, 2006 ·
Alternative title: Arthur and the Minimoys ·
Film series: Arthur series (3 films) ·
Streaming: Available on Netflix, Prime Video

Here is a quick overview of the film’s key facts.

What is the difference between Arthur and the Invisibles and Arthur and the Minimoys?

The most obvious difference is the title, but the changes go deeper. Arthur and the Minimoys is the original French/English co-production directed by Luc Besson, released internationally in 2006. When The Weinstein Company acquired the US distribution rights, they re-cut the film, shortened it, and renamed it Arthur and the Invisibles.

Why was the title changed?

The Weinstein Company reportedly believed that “Minimoys” would confuse American audiences and that the word “Invisibles” was more straightforward. The rename was part of a broader marketing strategy to position the film as a family-friendly fantasy adventure. According to Wikipedia (film database), the US version was re-edited after a test screening, which also led to the removal of several scenes.

What was cut from the original version?

Six key differences are documented by IMDb (alternate versions):

• The romance, kiss, and marriage between Arthur and Selenia were removed
• Sexual innuendo was cut
• Davido’s attempt to steal the rubies was removed
• A narrator voice was added in addition to Archibald
• The US version uses more verbose speech
• The US version runs 94 minutes vs. 103 minutes for the original

The implication: viewers who only saw the US version missed a significant romantic subplot and a more coherent story. The trade-off was a PG rating that made the film more accessible to younger audiences, but at the cost of narrative depth.

Why did Arthur and the Invisibles flop?

Despite a star-studded voice cast and Luc Besson’s name, the film underperformed at the box office. With a budget of $86 million (IMDb (industry film database)) and a worldwide gross of $107.9 million (Box Office Mojo (box office tracking)), the film needed roughly $170 million to break even (including marketing costs). The domestic US gross was only $15.1 million (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation)).

What was the box office performance?

Internationally, the film performed better: $92.8 million from overseas markets. But the US launch was weak. The limited release on December 15, 2006 earned modest returns, and the wider release on January 12, 2007 failed to build momentum (Box Office Prophets (box office analysis)).

What were the critical reviews?

Critics were harsh. The film holds a 22% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus: “Arthur and the Invisibles has impressive visuals but a weak story.” (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation)). Audience scores are higher at 58%, indicating a divide between families and critics. The Wikipedia (film database) entry notes that the US release received generally negative reviews, while the original version was better received in Europe.

The pattern: a film that might have been a moderate success in its original form was hurt by a re-edit that alienated critics without winning over US audiences.

Is Arthur and the Invisibles a kids movie?

The US version was deliberately cut to achieve a PG rating, removing romantic and slightly mature content. The original version is rated PG-13 in some regions. So the answer depends on which version you watch.

What is the MPAA rating?

The MPAA rated the US version PG for “some fantasy violence and mild language.” The original version contains more suggestive material, including a kiss between the 10-year-old protagonist and a minimoy princess, which was removed from the US cut.

Is it suitable for young children?

For children under 8, the film may have some scary moments (the villain Maltazard, dark scenes). Older children and tweens will likely enjoy the adventure. The themes of family and friendship are positive, but the pacing can be slow for younger viewers.

Why this matters: parents searching for a safe family film should know that the US version is cleaner, but the original version is more emotionally resonant. The trade-off is between safety and story.

Is Arthur and the Invisibles worth watching?

For fans of early 2000s CGI animation and Luc Besson’s style, yes. But expectations should be calibrated.

What do critics say about the film?

Critics are split. The 22% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects disappointment with the story and pacing. However, the audience score of 58% suggests that many viewers enjoy the visual creativity and voice cast. The film’s IMDb rating is 6.0/10 (IMDb (industry film database)), indicating a mediocre but not unwatchable experience.

How does the English dub compare?

The US version uses a different English dub with stars like Freddie Highmore (Arthur), Madonna (Princess Selenia), and David Bowie (Maltazard). The original version also had an English dub but with less star power. The US dub is well-produced, but some viewers find the added narrator intrusive.

The catch: if you watch the original Arthur and the Minimoys, you get a more complete story. If you watch the US version, you get a shorter, safer film that may leave you wondering what was missing.

Are there sequels to Arthur and the Invisibles?

Yes, two sequels were produced: Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2009) and Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds (2010). Both were released internationally and in the US with the same title confusion.

Is there an Arthur and the Invisibles 4?

No fourth film has been produced or officially announced. Luc Besson has mentioned ideas for a sequel, but as of 2025, nothing is in development.

Where can I watch the film?

The film is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (in the US). The original version (Arthur and the Minimoys) is available on DVD and Blu-ray, often as an import. Streaming platforms typically carry the US version.

What this means for fans: you can watch the sequels to complete the story, but the series ended with a conclusion that doesn’t leave a major cliffhanger. For those who enjoyed the first film, the sequels are worth watching.

Three key differences between the original and US versions, one pattern: the US version sacrificed emotional depth for a broader audience.

Arthur and the Invisibles has impressive visuals but a weak story.

— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation))

The film received generally negative reviews from critics in its US release form.

— Wikipedia (Wikipedia (film database))

For viewers deciding between the two versions, the choice is clear: seek out the original Arthur and the Minimoys for a fuller, more emotionally satisfying story, or accept the US version for a safer, shorter family film. The film’s commercial failure serves as a case study of how distribution decisions can alter a film’s fate. For parents looking for a tween-friendly fantasy, the US version works. For anyone who wants to see what Luc Besson actually intended, the original is the only way to go.