While originally intended for a theatrical release, the film's move to Disney+ meant most viewers experienced it in 1080p or 4K streaming formats. Despite critiques of the script, the film’s production design was ambitious: Artemis Fowl — The Cinefex Article That Got Away

The film notably shifts the character of Artemis Fowl II (played by Ferdia Shaw) from the "criminal mastermind" and villainous protagonist of the books into a more traditional, misunderstood hero searching for his missing father. This fundamental change was a major point of contention for fans who loved the original's "Die Hard with fairies" vibe.

A powerful magical device added for the film as a "MacGuffin" to drive the plot, which did not exist in the books.