“In Your Dreams” (2025, Netflix) is generally being received as a solid, visually inventive family animated film with some thematic shortcomings depending on the critic.

What it’s about

The film follows Stevie and her younger brother Elliot, who discover they can share and control dreams after invoking the Sandman, and they journey through surreal dream worlds hoping to keep their family from breaking apart. Their adventures in the dreamscape mirror their fear that their parents’ conflict and a possible move will damage the family, pushing them to choose between a “perfect” dream version of their parents and messy real life.

What reviewers like

Many reviewers praise the movie’s imaginative dream visuals, including whimsical locations like “Breakfast Town,” flying beds, and surreal nightmare sequences that mix comedy and mild scares. The sibling relationship, messages about courage, and the idea that imperfect reality is better than a fake perfect fantasy are often highlighted as emotionally resonant and age- appropriate for family viewing.

Common criticisms

Some critics feel the film’s emotional and thematic depth does not reach the level of top-tier Pixar-style movies about inner life and feelings, calling it less sophisticated than something like “Inside Out.” Others point to uneven tone, occasional crude humor, and discomfort with the near–god-like portrayal of the Sandman and prayer‑like scenes, which may bother some religious viewers.

Overall consensus

Overall, “In Your Dreams” is described as attractive, energetic, and “rock‑solid” family entertainment: fun to look at, frequently funny, and meaningful enough for kids and adults, though not especially original or profound. If you enjoy imaginative animated adventures with sibling dynamics and don’t mind that it’s more crowd‑pleasing than groundbreaking, it is generally recommended as a stream‑it choice on Netflix.