Ever look back at a movie and wonder how it didn't become a massive franchise? Justin and the Knights of Valor is one of those oddities. On paper, it had everything: a voice cast that would make a blockbuster director weep, 2013-era cutting-edge Spanish animation, and Antonio Banderas literally putting his name and money on the line as a producer.
It didn't quite land the way they hoped.
The story is honestly pretty charming. You've got this kid, Justin (voiced by Freddie Highmore), living in the Kingdom of Gabylonia. It's a place where lawyers—yes, lawyers—have basically replaced knights. His dad, Reginald, played by the legend Alfred Molina, wants him to trade the sword for a law book. But Justin? He wants to be like his grandpa, Sir Roland.
The Law vs. The Sword
The core conflict isn't just "good vs. evil." It's actually a bit of a commentary on bureaucracy. After the King died, the Queen (Olivia Williams) and Reginald decided that rules and regulations were safer than chivalry. They outlawed knights. This created a world that's safe but, well, boring. And vulnerable.
When you look at the cast, it's actually insane. Saoirse Ronan voices Talia, a barmaid who is way better at fighting than Justin is. You’ve got Charles Dance—Tywin Lannister himself—playing Legantir, one of the three monks who trains Justin. Mark Strong brings his usual terrifying energy to Heraclio, the villain who killed Justin’s grandfather. Even James Cosmo and Rupert Everett show up.
✨ Don't miss: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
Why didn't this movie blow up?
Budget. Or rather, the lack of it compared to the giants. Kandor Graphics, the Spanish studio behind it, spent about $30 million. That sounds like a lot until you realize Pixar or DreamWorks usually spend $150 million to $200 million per film. Basically, they were trying to fight a dragon with a wooden spoon.
Where the Critics Got It Wrong (and Right)
Critics weren't kind. The movie hit theaters in September 2013 and mostly got hit with "sub-par" and "derivative" labels. They weren't totally wrong. You can see bits of Shrek, Tangled, and How to Train Your Dragon in its DNA. There’s a horse that thinks it’s a dog and a crocodile with mechanical wings named Gustav. It feels familiar. Sorta like a cover song of your favorite animated hits.
But honestly? The animation is surprisingly solid for an indie studio.
🔗 Read more: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
The detail in the landscapes—especially the Abbey where Justin trains—is gorgeous. Manuel Sicilia, the director, really leaned into a "European" aesthetic that feels different from the overly polished American style. Freddie Highmore actually recorded his lines while studying abroad in Madrid, and he’s mentioned in interviews that he loved how Justin wasn't your typical "chosen one" hero. He’s clumsy. He’s thin. He’s a bit of a mess.
What Most People Miss About the Story
There’s a character named Melquiades, voiced by David Walliams. He’s a wizard with a split personality—half the time he's a powerful sorcerer, the other half he's a bumbling guy named Karolius. People usually find him annoying or hilarious, no middle ground.
But he represents the heart of the film: the idea that identity isn't fixed.
Justin isn't a knight because he's strong. He's a knight because he's the only one willing to stand up when the system (the lawyers) fails. The movie highlights that honor isn't about a title; it's about what you do when things get messy. Even the "fake" knight, Sir Clorex (Banderas), serves as a funny, if somewhat annoying, reminder that vanity is a terrible substitute for actual courage.
💡 You might also like: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
The Box Office Reality
The movie grossed about $19 million worldwide. That’s a "flop" by Hollywood standards, especially since it cost $30 million to make. It did okay in Spain and parts of Europe, but it never found its footing in the US. It’s one of those films that exists in the "I remember seeing that on Netflix" or "I saw the DVD at a grocery store" category for most people.
Wait, check this out. It actually won a Goya Award (Spain's version of the Oscars) for Best Animated Film. So, while the global box office was cold, its home country recognized the craft.
Practical Takeaways for Fans of Animation
If you're a student of animation or just a parent looking for something that isn't the same five Disney movies on repeat, here's the deal:
- Watch for the Voice Work: Pay attention to how Saoirse Ronan and Freddie Highmore play off each other. Even though they recorded separately, their chemistry works.
- Appreciate the Lighting: Kandor Graphics punched way above their weight class with the global illumination and textures in the final battle.
- Context Matters: Remember this was a pioneer for Spanish 3D animation. It paved the way for more "Euro-animation" to reach global audiences.
If you want to revisit it, it's usually available on various streaming platforms or for a few bucks on VOD. It’s a 90-minute sit-down that won't change your life, but it’s a bright, earnest adventure that deserved a little more love than the critics gave it.
Next Step: Check out the "Making of" featurettes if you can find them on the Blu-ray; seeing how they managed to render some of those high-cliffs scenes on an indie budget is actually pretty impressive.