Once Upon a Forest

Once Upon a Forest (1993) is a family animated film you can watch online on iFILM. Directed by Charles Grosvenor for a British-American co-production, it follows four young woodland creatures — a mouse, a mole, a hedgehog and a baby badger named Michelle — whose sheltered world is shattered when a chemical truck crashes near their home and toxic fumes sweep through the forest.

Michelle is badly poisoned and the adults can't help. Her three friends set out alone to find a healing herb before time runs out. The journey is short on the map and brutal on the ground: birds of prey, human machinery and their own fear stand in the way. Michael Crawford and Ben Vereen lead the voice cast.

At 71 minutes, the film moves fast and never softens the danger to feel child-safe — it earns the tension rather than performing it. A quiet, earnest adventure that holds up better than most of its era. Watch Once Upon a Forest (1993) online on iFILM.