We were kindly invited to London for an exclusive screening of Grand Prix of Europe ahead of its UK release on August 22nd, as Europa Park theme park brings its first animated feature film to the big screen.
Produced by MACK Magic and Warner Bros. Germany, Grand Prix of Europe revolves around the story of Edda, a young girl who lives in an amusement park where her father is struggling to keep the business afloat. An avid racing fan, Edda gets roped into the Grand Prix of Europe after Ed (a famous racing driver) becomes unable to compete. Up steps Edda, with her own set of racing skills, to fill Ed’s place until he recovers—and to win the prize money that will keep her father’s amusement park running for many years to come.
Marking the theme park’s 50th anniversary, Grand Prix of Europe isn’t just a feature-length promotion for Europa Park (which I feared it might be). Instead, it offers subtle nods and Easter eggs that only true fans of the park will notice.
For example, mascots from the park’s water park appear in a giant plushie bin at the start of the movie. A zeppelin (famously used at Europa Park) features the number 50 to mark the park’s anniversary, and there are plenty of other winks and references that never interfere with the story itself.
Grand Prix of Europe boasts a strong voice cast including Gemma Arterton, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Hayley Atwell, and Lenny Henry. The film aims to entertain children while carrying forward themes of courage, friendship, and determination.
At its heart, Grand Prix of Europe has real charm. It’s whimsical, easy to follow, and visually stunning for children, with a mix of fast cars, vibrant locations, and goofy humour (sometimes a little repetitive).
Teamwork, acceptance, and perseverance are strong mottos throughout the film. While the story feels light in places—and there are a couple of plot holes—the core message remains clear, and I never found myself bored with this fun, energetic flick.
The talented voice cast adds warmth and personality, and despite a frantic pace that sometimes races ahead before you can catch up, the film has broad appeal. Hardcore Europa Park fans will appreciate the amusement-park-to-theme-park parallels (mirroring the real-life creation of Europa Park), while younger viewers will stay engaged thanks to its colourful energy and humour.
As for negatives, there are only a few: a repetitive gag with two commentators that overstays its welcome, a light story that occasionally rushes past key emotional beats, and moments where the film leans too heavily on mascot charm instead of developing a deeper script.
For instance, Edda’s decision to race for her father’s sake happens so quickly that it lacks emotional weight—relying instead on 10–20 seconds of sad music and clichéd dialogue rather than giving us time to really feel her motivation.
That said, the film delivers plenty of chuckles and visuals that feel higher in quality than some big-budget animations. Grand Prix of Europe is bright, endearing, and full of heart—and it’s sure to appeal to more than just theme park fanatics.
Our Rating
Summary
Grand Prix of Europe succeeds as a fun, bright and lively introduction as Europa Park’s debut on a big screen. Children will love it, families will enjoy the jokes and whilst it could dive into more emotionally deeper storylines and stronger character development it’s still a joyful experience that sums up your very emotions when you visit Europa Park.
Joy, fun and a good time all round!
