In Your Dreams is a new fantasy adventure arriving on Netflix on November 14. Written by Alex Woo and Erik Benson and directed by Woo, the film stars Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Gia Carides, Omid Djalili, and SungWon Cho. The story follows Stevie and her younger brother Elliot as they journey through the wildly surreal landscape of their own dreams to find the Sandman and ask him to grant them the perfect family.

Whenever a film like this comes along, it immediately goes on my radar. It’s not usually the kind of movie I gravitate toward, but it’s the kind that helps me reconnect with my inner child. I originally received a theatrical press screening for this one—ironically at the same time as Is This Thing On?—and both films explore the theme of divorce. Funny enough, I chose to attend the latter, only to receive a digital screener for this the very next day. So, I guess it all worked out in the end.

While my tastes have evolved over the years, it’s still refreshing to embrace films like this. Given that it received a theatrical press release, I initially thought it might have the potential to be something truly groundbreaking. When you think about it, there hasn’t been a clear frontrunner for Best Animated Feature this year. That said, while I can see In Your Dreams being enjoyable for kids and families, I can’t imagine it resonating much beyond that.

Between its animation and storytelling, this film is definitely onto something. The visuals are stunning—truly a treat to look at. As a kid who loved animation, I probably would’ve had this on repeat. The story itself is heartfelt and surprisingly relatable. Funny enough, whether I went to see this or Is This Thing On?, both deal with the subject of divorce. While the latter feels more geared toward adults, In Your Dreams is better suited for families, offering a thoughtful way to spark communication and understanding.

That’s not to say the film doesn’t wear its influences on its sleeve. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it doesn’t do quite enough to stand apart from what’s come before. It often feels like a filmmaker demonstrating their ability to make a film like those that inspired them rather than redefining the genre. When compared to Pixar’s early work, it’s not nearly as groundbreaking as it could be. Still, as a standalone effort—and within Netflix’s already vast animation catalogue—it marks a promising first step.

It’s easy to draw comparisons to films like Toy Story and Inside Out—or even the video game It Takes Two. In a way, this film feels like a blend of all those influences, made for anyone who doesn’t have a gaming console or a Disney+ subscription.

For the most part, the film plays it safe. Beyond its themes and influences, the humor doesn’t leave much of an impression. It’s often too silly to fully engage adults, yet not clever enough to truly stand out for older viewers. If the film aimed to set itself apart, a sharper sense of humor that could appeal to a broader audience would have made a real difference.

If you’re familiar with the voice cast, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. Craig Robinson is a perfect fit as the toy, bringing his trademark humor and warmth to the role. Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti add just the right amount of charm to make their characters believable and likable as the parents. But it’s Jolie Hoang-Rappaport and Elias Janssen who truly anchor the film with their grounded, emotional performances as the two leads.

Overall, In Your Dreams is a charming and entertaining addition to Netflix’s family lineup. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to—its stunning animation and timely themes are more than enough to make it worth watching.

VERDICT: 3/5 – Good