big parent movie review

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

The fourth film in the latest reboot of this franchise delivers exactly what you’d expect with regard to its story and violence.

In Theaters

Not Another Church Movie

The Fall Guy

Mars Express

We Grown Now

Streaming & dvd.

Mother of the Bride

Wicked Little Letters

The Idea of You

The Long Game

Love Lies Bleeding

Plugged In Blog

On the Radar: ‘Oil Pulling’, Popular Teens’ Sleep Habits and Mental Health Awareness Month

MOM-tastic Movies for Mother’s Day

Episode 233: Summer Movie Preview. Plus, a Conversation with Great American Family President Bill Abbott

Ten of the Best Summertime Blockbusters (From the Last Ten Years)

Plugged in tutorials, help us make a difference.

Blood of Zeus

Dark Matter

A Man in Full

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Youtube channels.

Alex Meyers

Marques Brownlee

Ready to Harvest

stampylonghead

Lindsey Stirling

The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology

1989 (Taylor’s Version)

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

Stellar Blade

Another Crab’s Treasure

Harold Halibut

Ereban: Shadow Legacy

Pepper Grinder

Princess Peach: Showtime!

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series)

Fog & Fireflies

The Minor Miracle: The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor

The Eyes and the Impossible

Castle Reef 2: Bloodlines

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Upcoming Movies and TV shows
Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

What's the Tomatometer®?
Login/signup

Movies in theaters

Opening this week
Top box office
Coming soon to theaters
Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

Fandango at Home
Netflix streaming
Prime Video
Most popular streaming movies
What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Link to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The Fall Guy Link to The Fall Guy
The Last Stop in Yuma County Link to The Last Stop in Yuma County

New TV Tonight

Interview With the Vampire: Season 2
After the Flood: Season 1
Bridgerton: Season 3
Outer Range: Season 2
The Big Cigar: Season 1
Harry Wild: Season 3
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Season 11.1
RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars: Season 9
Spacey Unmasked: Season 1
The Killing Kind: Season 1

Where to Watch

Watch Big with a subscription on Disney+, Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

What to Know

Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Penny Marshall

Elizabeth Perkins

Robert Loggia

Jared Rushton

More Like This

Movie news & guides, this movie is featured in the following articles..

Quarantine Queens Review The Best Family Movies: BIG (1988) | Scary Mommy

Quarantine may be over for you, but we are still spending more time at home with family and that means movie night. We’re reviewing our favorite 1980s film, BIG. Although nothing beats classic 1980s movies, do they still hold up and is it ok for the kids? In this video, we’re giving you the mom low-down with curse word counts, cigarette smoking appearances, violence, boobies and the sexual innuendos that the 80s loved so much. We’ll include all the time stamps below to make your family movie watching that much more easy for you!

First up: Movie Recap : In the 1987 movie, BIG, Tom Hanks plays the role of Josh, a 13 year old boy who’s a little shorter than average and made a wish to be “big.” He should have said tall because that’s why he woke up the next morning as a man, who moves to the big city, gets a job, a girlfriend and becomes a man in more ways than one. If you know what I mean.

I couldn’t wait for a break from homeschooling to watch this throwback. I thought, this PG rated movie is perfect for a kid to watch. It’s PG! What could go wrong? It’s got kids, it’s got toys, it’s got FAO Schwarz, the amazing toy store in it! And it does have all those things, but it also has some interesting language, some old fashioned 1980s sexual jokes and some physical intimacy between a 30ish year old woman and a 13 year old man-boy.

Overall, Big is a great movie and you will love it, but there are a lot of questionable parts to keep in mind depending on your kid’s age. Commonsense Media says 13+, Parents are saying 11+ and so are the kids. Finally, they agree! Honestly, the most offensive part? Susan’s giant shoulder pads. Ahhh, 80s fashion.

Watch Guide:

2:23 Looking down Teacher’s shirt

19:30 Bitch

19:33 Bitch

19:48 we’ve got some hookers

20:02 street smoking

22:27 screams and gunshots

30:12 workplace male sex talk bonding

30:37 Bullshit

30:51 Hell and ass

30:59 Hell and ass

31:03 boob bra scene

34:05 screams and gunshots

42:28 breakfast smoking

43:02 meeting smoking

45:29 smoking break

48:28 Lovitts is me too’ing a woman on the dance floor.

49:53 party smoking

51:52 Goddam

56:15 there’s a reference to “spending the night”

1:00:59 car smoking

1:03:10 Goddam

1:03:12 Goddam

1:03:19 Goddam

1:03:16 Shit

1:07:24 Billy wants a dirty mag

1:12:27 there’s kissing – the open mouth kind

1:13 shirt unbuttoning scene

1:13:37 boob action and kissing

1:20:37 Fuck

1:21:01 Asshole

Happy Movie Watching!

Stay Connected to Scary Mommy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScaryMommyTV

Site: https://www.scarymommy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescarymommy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarymommy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scarymommy

Giphy: https://giphy.com/scarymommy

About Scary Mommy: Scary Mommy is the #1 media brand creating fun, honest and unfiltered content for moms. We tell engaging stories that connect with millions of women united by motherhood.

This article was originally published on June 25, 2020

we need your help

Content Ratings: S1 | V6 | L3

Content Ratings: S2 | V7 | L5

Content Ratings: S3 | V4 | L4

Content Ratings: S1 | V3 | L5

Content Ratings: S0 | V3 | L1

Content Ratings: S3 | V6 | L5

Content Ratings: S7 | V2 | L9

Content Ratings: S1 | V10 | L10

Content Ratings: S7 | V4 | L10

Content Ratings: S1 | V3 | L1

Content Ratings: S2 | V6 | L5

Content Ratings: S5 | V7 | L5

Content Ratings: S1 | V9 | L10

Content Ratings: S8 | V7 | L0

Content Ratings: S1 | V7 | L7

Content Ratings: S1 | V7 | L10

Content Ratings: S6 | V9 | L5

Content Ratings: S6 | V9 | L9

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Follow

THE ASSIGNED NUMBERS

Unlike the MPAA we do not assign one inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY , VIOLENCE/GORE and LANGUAGE on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest, depending on quantity and context.

Ratings delivered to your inbox

You're all set! Please check your email for confirmation.

FILTER by RATINGS Did you know you can now filter searches by any combination of ratings? Just go to our search page or use the search bar, with or without a keyword, from the top navigation menu. Move sliders from 0-10 in any combination, check and uncheck MPAA ratings and use keywords to further filter results — please let us know what you think.

HUH? WHAT IS THIS?

This is what we do: We enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for them or their children, according to their own criteria. Unlike the MPAA we do not assign an inscrutable rating based on age but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY , VIOLENCE/GORE & LANGUAGE, on a scale of 0 to 10, and we explain in detail why a film rates high or low in a specific category; we also include instances of SUBSTANCE USE, a thorough list of DISCUSSION TOPICS that may elicit questions from children, and the MESSAGE the film conveys. Since our system is based on objective standards, not the viewer’s age or the artistic merits of a film, we enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for their own children… | more |

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Although our site is very popular, the current economic climate has reduced our revenues just when we need extra security to prevent attacks from hackers who don’t like what we do. If you think what we do is worthwhile, please donate or become a member

You can print a page for your own use or to share with friends; sure, you can e-mail a page to a friend; and yes, please go ahead and link to our site. However, any commercial reproduction of anything appearing within this site without our written permission is illegal and in really bad taste and we will take action to prevent… | more |

how to support us

PLEASE DONATE

We are a totally independent website with no connections to political, religious or other groups & we neither solicit nor choose advertisers. You can help us keep our independence with a donation.

NO MORE ADS!

Become a member of our premium site for just $1/month & access advance reviews, without any ads, not a single one, ever. And you will be helping support our website & our efforts.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We welcome suggestions & criticisms -- and we accept compliments too. While we read all emails & try to reply we don't always manage to do so; be assured that we will not share your e-mail address.

Become a member of our premium site for just $2/month & access advance reviews, without any ads, not a single one, ever. And you will be helping support our website & our efforts.

We welcome suggestions & criticisms -- and we will accept compliments too. While we read all emails & try to reply we do not always manage to do so; be assured that we will not share your e-mail address.

Pin It on Pinterest

New Reviews
★ JOIN TODAY! ★

Get news & reviews in your inbox

Prime Video
Documentary
Producers Corner
Watch Lists
More Than A Movie Night
It’s Dove Approved – Family Movie Trivia Game
Dove Ratings
Privacy Policy

All Reviews

Since 1995 The Dove Foundation has been publishing our movie reviews on the Internet. Well over 100,000 families rely on these reviews each month to help them make informed choices about the entertainment their family can watch with confidence. Below is a description of the different types of reviews that The Dove Foundation publishes.

Now Showing in the Theater

Here you will find a list of Dove approved feature length movies that are currently playing at your local theaters. While most of these films should be available in all areas of the country, some may be designated as “limited release” and only shown in select cities. This list contains only Dove approved titles.

Coming Soon to Home Entertainment

Here you will find a list of Dove approved home entertainment products. These videos and DVDs can usually be found at a local retailer for purchase or you can rent them at your local video store. This list contains only Dove approved titles.

Theatrical Reviews

This link will group all of our theatrical reviews together and sort them by their release dates with the most recent films appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

Video/DVD Reviews

This link will group all of our home entertainment reviews together and sort them by their release dates with the most recent products appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

Book Reviews

This link will group all of our Book reviews together and sort them by their review dates with the most recent reviews appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

TV/Network Reviews

This link will group all of our made for television movie reviews together and sort them by their release dates with the most recent reviews appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

Audio CD Reviews

This link will group all of our audio CD reviews together and sort them by their release dates with the most recent reviews appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

Manuscript Reviews

This link will group all of our manuscript reviews together and sort them by their release dates with the most recent reviews appearing first. Here you will find reviews of both approved and non-approved titles.

Dove Content

Faith Film Producer DeVon Franklin Steps in Front of the Camera for ‘Jesus Revolution’

Cyrano: Love is a Verb

Redeeming Love: Grace Rising Up Out of the Dirt

Filmmakers Highlight the Hope and Heroism in “Gi...

Artistic Reviews
Testimonials
Free Pass/Newsletter
Member Login

BREAKING NEWS: Take Advantage of our Black Friday Membership Sale Save $10 off our regular price, AND get 2 EXTRA MONTHS FREE!

Breaking news: take advantage of our prime week membership sale save $10 off our regular price, and get 2 extra months free, discover how to become a movie reviewer -- and make money -- with our online course, here's how you can eliminate your worries about the sex, nudity, profanity, violence & more that your kids are seeing in today's movies, click here to get a free 3-day pass into our membership site or check out our latest reviews below, check out our early black friday membership sale -- save 32% -->.

Search Please fill out this field.
Newsletters
Sweepstakes
Entertainment

The Best Kids' Movies of 2024

From adaptations of beloved books to splashy Marvel comics and everything in between—we have all your 2024 family movie nights planned out right here!

Paramount Pictures

It’s time to look ahead and plan those fun-filled movie nights for your family to share together throughout 2024. This year’s slate does not disappoint and includes something that kids (and adults!) at every age and stage can enjoy.

From returning favorites and sequels to brand-new adventures, 2024 is a big year for family fun at the movies .

The Pixar hits Soul , Turning Red , and Luca, which did not get a theatrical release thanks to the pandemic, were all finally shared on the big screen. Of course, a brand-new Pixar movie—which is also one of the most anticipated sequels—is on the way as the sequel to Inside Out hits theaters this summer.

For parents, there’s plenty of throwbacks and nostalgia in the mix, including Ghostbusters : Frozen Empire , which takes the beloved franchise back to where things first started getting spooky—that infamous firehouse in New York City. And for throwback favorites, Garfield , the comic strip cat from the 80s, best known for the cat that hates Mondays and loves lasagna, is ready to be introduced to a new generation.

Then there's a new adventure called IF , starring Ryan Reynolds and written and directed by John Krasinski, about a little girl who can see the imaginary friends that grown-ups left behind. This is going to be one of those transcendent family films that will delight the kids while giving adults all the feels!

Whether you’re heading to the theater or cozying up on your couch, here’s your month-by-month guide to the best family-friendly flicks coming your way. Just add popcorn (maybe some Sno-Caps, too) and enjoy the show(s)!

When and Where to Watch: Now on Disney+

Starring: Jaime Foxx, Tina Fey

The Academy Award-winning animated film Soul missed its moment in theaters as it was released in 2020—when the world was still shut down. My family found so much solace in this film from the safety of our couch, but we cannot wait to see this beautiful movie, about living life to the fullest, as it was intended—on the big screen. Disney is releasing two more Pixar films that debuted on streaming during the pandemic, including Turning Red and Luca .

What Parents Should Know: Be prepared for questions—especially if your child has yet to experience the death of a loved one . Soul touches on complex themes including life, death, the afterlife, and searching for purpose and meaning in our lives.

Orion and the Dark

When and Where to Watch: Now on Netflix

Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser

In this animated adventure, Orion (Tremblay) is a young boy with many fears ranging from heights to pets. But the one that has him the most rattled? The dark! To help change his tune, the Dark (Hauser) takes Orion on a nighttime trip to prove the famous adage you’ve likely told your own kids once or twice—the only thing to fear is fear itself!

What Parents Should Know: Orion sketches out his anxieties and fears in a book and some of those images—which include murderous clowns, bugs, public humiliation, and bullying at school —start to come alive (though still in his imagination). Over all, the film encourages kids to push through fears so they can enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Tiger's Apprentice

When and Where to Watch: Now on Paramount+

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Brandon Soo Hoo

Tom (Soo Hoo) is a normal boy who lives with his grandmother (Yeoh) in San Francisco's Chinatown. It turns out that despite being a little eccentric, his grandmother is actually the Guardian of the Phoenix Egg! When she perishes in battle, Tom must apprentice with an unlikely mentor—a tiger named Mr. Hu (Golding)—to learn ancient magic he needs to know to become the egg's new protector.

What Parents Should Know: Overall, this film promotes courage, family bonds, and lots of teamwork. But you can expect some mild (and humorous) violence with monster-like demons, plus magical powers that do it all from turning people to stone to causing fart explosions from a goat.

Turning Red

Starring: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh Turning Red is one of three Pixar movies that never made it to theaters thanks to Covid, and if you have a tween or teen daughter—it’s a must-watch. This beautiful coming-of-age story focuses on 13-year-old Mei Lee (Chiang) going through all the normal turmoil of puberty —butting heads with her mom (Oh), emotional roller coasters, drama with friends . . . except Mei Lee has it a little tougher than your average girl. Why? She transforms into a giant red panda whenever she gets over-excited!

What Parents Should Know: Puberty and adolescence are the main themes in this film so there's plenty of references to periods and crushes , which can open up discussions about changing bodies and hormones. There's some mild language, but overall this is a story that encourages many positive family discussions .

Kung Fu Panda 4

When and Where to Watch: Now streaming on Prime Video

Starring: Jack Black , Awkwafina, Viola Davis Po (Black) is about to become the spiritual leader of his Valley of Peace! Great news but first he must find someone to take his place as Dragon Warrior, taking Po on an adventure filled with laughs, team building, and, of course, villain-defeating!

What Parents Should Know: While there will be some mild violence thanks to those over-the-top ninja moves, those action-packed scenes are done with humor. Plus, they're so over the top, they could never be tried or replicated at home!

When and Where to Watch: Now streaming on Disney+

Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer Luca is the last of the Pixar films sans a theatrical release because of the pandemic and is finally getting its time to shine. This beautiful film takes place on the Italian Riviera and follows an unlikely friendship between a human boy (Tremblay) and a sea monster disguised as a human (Grazer).

What Parents Should Know: This heartwarming tale does feature some silly body humor, insults in both English and Italian (such as "stupido," "idioti," and "jerk"), plus mild injuries from comedic don't-try-this-at-home stunts such as jumping off of cliffs and trees. Overall, Luca is about acceptance and can open up beautiful conversations that message.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Where and When to Watch: March 22 in theaters nationwide, streaming on Prime Video

Starring: Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard

Here’s a mind-blowing fact—the original Ghostbusters movie turns 40 years old in 2024! But what’s harder to wrap my head around? The franchise is still popular and my 9-year-old daughter is a fan! The latest installment is a nostalgia-filled throwback to the original, featuring the next generation of the Spengler family, the iconic New York City firehouse, and the OG Ghostbusters fighting off an evil force that could cause a second Ice Age!

What Parents Should Know: As with all the movies in the Ghostbusters franchise, there will be light frights and mild violence—but all done with humor. And yes, while you should be mindful that there will also be some swearing and mature references, it's nothing too jarring and may even go over the heads of young children who are hyper-focused by the arrival of ghosts in NYC.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming

Where and When to Watch: May 17 in theaters nationwide

IFs (Imaginary friends) are a treasured part of childhood and Krasinski directs this sure-to-be classic that pays homage to the ones we had—or still hold dear. A young girl named Bea (Fleming) discovers she can see IFs that were abandoned by the kids they once helped. Bea's not the only one with this gift—she discovers her neighbor, known as The Man Upstairs (Reynolds), can see them too. I’m predicting we’ll all need a box of tissues (or three) to make it through this film!

What Parents Should Know: This sweet movie can bring up deep talks about getting older, big life transitions, and changes that occur while moving from one phase of life to the next. It's natural to leave behind child comforts such as imaginary friends but it certainly doesn't make it any less emotional.

The Garfield Movie

Where and When to Watch: May 24 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Chris Pratt, Nicholas Hoult, Samuel L. Jackson

Children of the 80s, your favorite Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat Garfield is making a big comeback. Garfield (Pratt), his best pal Odie the dog, and their beloved owner Jon (Hoult) are ready for new fans and new adventures. In this latest adaptation, Garfield reunites with his long-lost father Vic (Jackson).

What Parents Should Know: Overall, this film is silly and humorous—just like the original comic strip. But Garfield and his canine pal Odie are forced to give up their cushy life with their owner Jon when choosing to go on an adventure with Garfield's long lost dad—that may bring up convos about feeling lonely and/or abandoned as well as the importance of family, both chosen and biological!

Inside Out 2

Where and When to Watch: June 14 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke

When Inside Out hit theaters in 2015, I was a brand-spankin’ new mom to a baby girl which meant that Riley and all her emotions—Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness—really spoke to me. (Couldn't my baby stay little forever!?!) Well, today, that baby is 9, and I battle with her and all those emotions every day! So it's exciting and bittersweet for me that the Inside Out sequel is here, featuring teenage Riley! All the emotions—especially Joy (Poehler)—are trying to get Riley through this new phase, until a new emotion shows up that no one was expecting. Yes, welcome Anxiety (Hawke) to wreak havoc on Riley's already delicate mental balance!

What Parents Should Know: Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions now that Riley is experiencing the joys of anxiety—thanks to the onset of puberty . For many viewers, it should help them feel relieved knowing they're not alone in these new feelings and outbursts . But for others, it may open up a myriad of questions about what will happen when they go through it one day. Overall, expect these growing pains to be depicted in a heartfelt and humorous way.

Despicable Me 4

When and Where to Watch: July 3 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, and Sofía Vergara

It’s been seven years since we’ve last seen Gru on the big screen. In Despicable Me 4 , Gru and Lucy have a new bundle of joy to add to the family, Gru, Jr. Baby Gru joins sisters Margo, Edith, and Agnes. But in typical Despicable Me fashion, their normality doesn’t last long as a new nemesis comes along. Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina force the family to go on the run along with their Minions.

What Parents Should Know: Despicable Me 4 is rated PG and has a lot of action and cartoon violence. There are also some touching family moments between, Gru, Lucy, the girls, and Gru, Jr. If your little one is a fan of the franchise, they won’t want to miss this one.

Descendants: The Rise of Red

When and Where to Watch: July 12 on Disney+

Starring: Brandy (Cinderella), Rita Ora (Queen of Hearts), Kylie Cantrall (Red), China Anne McClain (Uma), and Jeremy Swift (Merlin)

While not in theaters, the Descendants franchise has been enchanting children and tweens since 2015. This fourth installment of Descendants introduces us to a new character, Red. She is the daughter of the Queen of Hearts. In this film, the Queen of Hearts tries to incite a coup against Auradon. It’s then up to Red and her roommate Chloe (Cinderella’s daughter) to try to undo what the Queen of Hearts has done.

What Parents Should Know: If your kids are fans of the first three movies, the only "descendant" they will recognize will be Uma, the daughter of Ursula. The previous three films were recommended for children over 8 years old so this movie should be similar. Parents can expect some choreographed fighting as good battles evil. Parents of older kiddos may want to check out the newest installment for a sense of nostalgia.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

When and Where to Watch: August 2 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, Jemaine Clement, Tanya Reynolds, Alfred Molina, and Zooey Deschanel

This is the first time the popular book Harold and the Purple Crayon has been adapted into a movie. Zachary Levi plays Harold who can make anything come to life by drawing it. He eventually grows up and draws himself right out of the book and into the real world. Harold quickly realizes he has a lot to learn. Harold’s purple crayon still helps bring imagination to life in the real world setting off all sorts of hijinks and adventures.

What Parents Should Know: The original children’s book from 1955 is generally for young children. But the movie is rated PG, so there may be some scenes of action and adventure that your little one may find a bit scary.

Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure

When and Where to Watch: August 16 on 2,100 screens across the country

Starring: The Kaji Family - Ryan Kaji, Shion Kaji, Loann Kaji, Emma Kaji, and Kate Kaji all playing themselves.

Your kids may already be familiar with Ryan’s World from YouTube . But now the Kaji family is hitting the big screen for an all-new adventure. Ryan’s twin sisters Emma and Kate are always trying to play with him. But this time, they find themselves pulled into a magical comic book and Ryan has to jump in and save them. To do so, he turns into his anime superhero alter ego Red Titan.

What Parents Should Know: According to Deadline , this is the first-ever theatrical release of a film by a digital creator. Ryan started his YouTube channel doing toy reviews and it now has more than 37 million subscribers. At the time of writing, the movie is not yet rated. The YouTube channel is geared toward kids ages 3 to 9.

The Wild Robot

When and Where to Watch: September 27 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu

This film by DreamWorks Animations follows the adventures of “Roz,” a robot that is shipwrecked on an island. Roz has to learn to adapt to its new environment. It ends up bonding with the animals on the island and “adopts” an orphaned gosling.

What Parents Should Know: This is a science fiction survival story based on the book series of the same name by Peter Brown. At the time of writing, this film is not yet rated, but the book series is geared towards middle grades. However, it is a survival story and the books do include some mildly disturbing scenes.

When and Where to Watch: November 27 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk

One of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, Moana 2 is set to bring audiences back to the high seas. When Moana gets a call from her wayfinding ancestors, she has to answer it. According to the materials from Disney, “Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”

What Parents Can Expect: There’s little known at the time of writing about the new film, but parents can expect similar themes of adventure and family bonds. You can also expect the same kind of humor as the first film.

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum

The wildly successful Broadway musical moves to the big screen. Wicked focuses on the origin stories of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. It is set in the Land of Oz before Dorothy comes along. The film follows Elphaba from birth through college and shows audiences how she became wicked. She ends up forming an unlikely friendship and then rivalry with Glinda.

What Parents Can Expect: While the movie is not yet rated, parents can expect it to follow the Broadway show. The website for the musical indicates it is recommended for children ages 8 and older. There are themes of good and evil, and there may be some scary moments for younger children. You might also want to explain to your kids that this film is just part one. Part two won’t be released until 2025.

Mufasa: The Lion King

When and Where to Watch: December 20 in theaters nationwide

Starring: Aaron Pierre, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Blue Ivy Carter, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner

In this film, Rafiki tells the story of Mufasa to a young lion cub named Kiara, who happens to be the daughter of Simba and Nala. Timon and Pumbaa are there of course with their comic relief. The story is told in flashbacks as audiences learn about Mufasa’s origin story.

What Parents Can Expect: So here’s what parents should NOT expect: This is not a live-action version of the beloved Disney animated classic. The movie is not yet rated, but Disney says there are themes of action, adventure, drama, and family.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Starring: Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, James Marsden, Jim Carrey

To be honest, little is known at this point about the plot of the third installment of the Sonic franchise. In fact, the popular film website IMDB actually says “plot under wraps.” The film series is based on the popular video games. What we do know is that the spin-off Knuckles is currently streaming on Paramount+, which may or may not help set up the film.

What Parents Can Expect: As traditionally with the Sonic films, there is plenty of action and adventure to go around. Kids who liked the first two films are likely to enjoy this one as well.

Supported by

Critic’s Pick

‘Unfrosted’ Review: What’s the Deal With Pop-Tarts?

Starring Jerry Seinfeld in his feature directing debut, “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tarts Story” is the only corporate saga whose main ingredient is high-fructose sarcasm.

Share full article

A woman and two men in business attire peer through a stack of flour sacks.

By Amy Nicholson

Pop-Tarts were invented over four hectic months in 1964. Jerry Seinfeld has been developing jokes about them for over 10 years , first in his stand-up act, and now as a full-fledged, fully ridiculous feature comedy targeted to the audience’s sweet-and-salty dopamine receptors. “Unfrosted,” directed by Seinfeld with a script by him and longtime collaborators Spike Feresten, Andy Robin and Barry Marder, gives the comic his first-ever live action leading film role as Bob Cabana, a fictional cereal flack who revolutionizes the breakfast industry. (William Post, the real-life person who helped create Pop-Tarts, died in February at the age of 96.) Cinema has endured branded biopics on everything from Air Jordans to the BlackBerry to Flamin’ Hot Cheetos . This is the only corporate saga whose main ingredient is high-fructose sarcasm.

Should we care about the history of the Pop-Tart? Seinfeld postures that the Kellogg’s launch of a mylar-wrapped, shelf-stable, heatable pastry is a technological innovation on the scale of the space race and the Manhattan Project. One pivotal move comes when Cabana hires Donna Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy) away from NASA’s beakers of Tang. As the launch date nears, the cinematographer William Pope shoots close-ups of scorching toaster springs with the drama of a roiling booster rocket.

The film is as estranged from the facts as Pop-Tarts are from genuine fruit. Still, it’s true that Battle Creek, Mich. — “cereal’s Silicon Valley,” Seinfeld once cracked — was ground zero of a Cold War rivalry between Kellogg’s and General Foods to sell a breakfast that broke free from the need for a bowl and spoon. Here, the General Foods’ owner Marjorie Post (Amy Schumer), once the richest woman in America, swans about in jewel-toned turbans and jets off to Moscow to enlist Nikita Khrushchev (Dean Norris) in her cause. At the same time, the dimwitted head of Kellogg’s (Jim Gaffigan) allows his company to align with President John F. Kennedy (Bill Burr), Chef Boy Ardee (Bobby Moynihan), the celebrity fitness guru Jack LaLanne (James Marsden), and the early computer Univac who acts up in ways that recall Bing’s sexually charged A.I. chatbot . Things take an even darker turn with the entrance of a vengeful milkman (Christian Slater) and a threatening figure named El Sucre (Felix Solis) who’s aware that millions of dollars hinge on access to his addictive white powder.

As junk food goes, “Unfrosted” is delightful with a sprinkle of morbidity. Building on last December’s publicity stunt where an anthropomorphic Pop-Tart cooked and served itself to the Kansas State Wildcats, we’re here treated to a funeral where the deceased is given Full Cereal Honors. I will spoil nothing except to say Snap, Crackle and Pop have a ceremonial duty.

The jokes spill forth so fast that there’s no time for the shtick to get soggy. Yet, the film also crams its running time with goofy detours, like a subplot where the voice of Tony the Tiger (Hugh Grant, once again seizing any opportunity to wear a fatuous cravat) leads his fellow mascots in a rebellion. Despite all these famous faces splashing into the frame, the scene stealer is the child actor Eleanor Sweeney making her debut as an opinionated taste tester. She’s g-r-r-reat.

Unfrosted Rated PG-13 for some suggestive references and language. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. Watch on Netflix.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help.a.

Andy Serkis, the star of the earlier “Planet of the Apes” movies, and Owen Teague, the new lead, discuss the latest film in the franchise , “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

The HBO series “The Sympathizer” is not just a good story, it’s a sharp piece of criticism on Vietnam war movies, our critic writes .

In “Dark Matter,” the new Apple TV+ techno-thriller, a portal to parallel realities allows people to visit new worlds and revisit their own past decisions .

The tennis movie “Challengers” comes to an abrupt stop midmatch, so we don’t know who won. Does that matter? Our critics have thoughts .

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime and Hulu to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

The Mother Reviews Are Here, And Critics Are Saying The Same Thing About Jennifer Lopez’s Netflix Action Movie

Just in time for Mother's Day.

Jennifer Lopez hit the big screen with two movies last year — the adorable rom-com Marry Me and then the romantic action flick Shotgun Wedding . This year it appears she’s leaving the romance to her personal life, with her new Netflix movie The Mother bringing straight action. JLo plays the titular character, a former assassin who comes out of retirement to protect her estranged daughter. The reviews are in, so let’s see if this is one you’ll be firing up with a bag of microwave popcorn for this Mother’s Day weekend.

Along with Jennifer Lopez , the cast of The Mother includes Lucy Paez in her first major role as daughter Zoe, and Joseph Fiennes and Gael Garcia Bernal as ex-boyfriends/arms dealers. The Hustlers actress was looking great in the first looks for the female-driven action movie, and the trailer promises we’ll get to see JLo kicking plenty of ass . Let’s get to the critics, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of The Mother . Our own Mike Reyes rates the movie just 2 stars out of 5, saying Lopez proves herself as an action lead, but the film never figures out how to mesh that with the emotional premise. He continues:

Seeing as Jennifer Lopez is the mother that gives the film its title, the failure to build her character causes a collapse on shaky foundation on which this movie is built. The action is too tame to raise your heartrate, and the drama is so basic that you can almost always guess what the next line’s going to be. Predictability doesn’t always kill a movie, but if you don’t add a little bit more to the pot to really flavor what’s being served, the result isn’t going to taste good.

Courtney Howard of AV Club grades The Mother a C+, agreeing with the above review that Jennifer Lopez delivers with both her powerful punches and empowering emotions, but the film overall doesn’t examine, augment or challenge the genre’s familiar formulas. The review states:

The film’s fabric experiences a few frays that lead to a sloppy unraveling. Around the midpoint, characters slowly stop behaving as humans, and behave more like puppets functioning on behalf of the story. It also suffers from a villain problem where both of the evil exes are barely one dimensional, neither oppressive nor genuinely menacing due to Fiennes’ and Bernal’s lack of meaty material. Screenwriter contrivances guide the second-to-third-act transition. The Mother’s considerable abilities begin to slip for baffling reasons that run counter to her established character—early on she can mend a bullet wound with superglue, but later she can’t stitch a bite wound.

Nadia Dalimonte of Next Best Picture rates the movie 6 out of 10, saying that while JLo brings a refreshing perspective on female perseverance, the film around her is flawed, with a screenplay that rushes storylines and action sequences that are edited so heavily they’re hard to follow. The critic says:

The film reaches more interesting heights in its second half when it focuses on how the mother-daughter dynamic is shaped by Lopez’s character resurfacing in Zoe’s life. The screenplay gives the two characters a bit of time to communicate some of the things they had imagined wanting to say to each other. ... Despite the promise of the film’s second half and the entertainment value of watching Lopez fight through every imaginable obstacle to protect her daughter, the film feels unexplored to its full potential. Large gaps in the story leave more questions than answers, for instance, regarding why the threats posed to these characters operate on such relentless levels.

Owen Gleiberman of Variety calls The Mother “action filmmaking made basic,” but he seems to fall in line with the other critics when it comes to the leading actress, who Gleiberman says deserves better. In terms of JLo, he continues:

She shoots, she stabs, she chops windpipes, she motorcycles down stone stairways in one of those chase-through-an-ancient-city action scenes (this one takes place in Havana), she tortures a man by punching him with a fist wrapped in barbed wire, she grimaces in muscle-torn agony but mostly looks frozen and implacable. Even more important, she puts her own spin on those familiar motions.

Peter Travers of GMA Culture says Jennifer Lopez (and all of the mothers out there) deserve better, given this movie’s dopey dialogue and nonsensical plot. The critic points out that watching JLo kick ass is absolutely the main draw, saying:

It's hard to find any reason why these former lovers of Mother, whose taste in men needs a serious rethink, would raise armies to destroy her other than Lopez is a star and it's fun to watch director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, Mulan) set up this Latina powerhouse to mow down the bad guys like sitting ducks of macho ineptitude.

The critics overall seem disappointed in The Mother , but it sounds like Jennifer Lopez’s performance might make this worth watching anyway. The movie is available now for those with a Netflix subscription , so feel free to check it out for yourself! You can also take a look at our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what’s coming to theaters soon.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

Heidi Venable is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend, a mom of two and a hard-core '90s kid. She started freelancing for CinemaBlend in 2020 and officially came on board in 2021. Her job entails writing news stories and TV reactions from some of her favorite prime-time shows like Grey's Anatomy and The Bachelor. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Journalism and worked in the newspaper industry for almost two decades in multiple roles including Sports Editor, Page Designer and Online Editor. Unprovoked, will quote Friends in any situation. Thrives on New Orleans Saints football, The West Wing and taco trucks.

Breaking Down The Biggest Changes Made To Taylor Swift's Eras Tour After The Tortured Poets Department's Release

There’s A Taylor Swift-Related Theory Behind Why Kim Kardashian Wore That Cardigan To The Met Gala, And I Honestly Don’t Hate It

The Godzilla X Kong Sequel Has Taken A Big Step Forward With Some Shang-Chi Talent, And I’m Excited About This MonsterVerse Hire

Mambar Pierrette review – big-hearted parable of women’s resilience in Cameroon

Pierrette is beset with troubles, from a robbery to a house flood and more, but the neorealist drama comes with solidarity and surprising humour

T he simple image of pushing a seam through a sewing machine becomes a profound life statement in Rosine Mbakam’s debut feature, which is focused on talented clothier Pierrette (played by the director’s cousin Pierrette Aboheu Njeuthat) in the Cameroonian city Douala. It’s emblematic of the need to keep moving forward in daily life – and to come out the other side smiling, with stoicism and resilience. As one customer puts it: “I’m getting by. That’s life. When you fall down, you get up again.”

Pierrette is having, it has to be said, an especially rough day. A single mother also caring for an elderly parent (Marguerite Mbakop), she is already scraping for cash. Regularly bartered into submission by her clientele, she always holds her gaze bashfully downwards – either out of anger, or embarrassment at having to assert herself. When she takes a motorcycle taxi after work, robbers relieve her of all her savings, disastrously just as the new school year is beginning. Meanwhile her home is flooded, endangering the clothes she is preparing and leaving her wondering how she will escape this soggy calvary.

Shot mostly in medium closeup documentary-style segments, acted with flawless naturalism by a non-professional cast, Mambar Pierrette is neorealist down to its bones. But with the seamstress and her circle of acquaintances coming together to trade their frustrations – a trip to Guinea that almost ends in sex work, a disappointing fling – it also draws on the gossipy domestic drama of neighbouring Nollywood. Older storytelling traditions are layered in there too: Pierrette’s forlorn mother tells her grandson Duval (Duval Franklin Nwodu Chinedu) a disturbing juju-type tale of once having her heart switched out for a little boy’s.

Such attitudes show the generational gap operating in central Africa , between the likes of Pierrette’s mother – who insists her daughter shouldn’t report her feckless husband to the authorities – and a new, more proactive cohort. Pierrette and friends are the ones pooling savings in tontines, refusing to acquiesce with how things were. But Mbakam always incorporates these state-of-the-nation diagnostics with subtlety, and a level of humour that suggests none of these strivers is a prisoner of their circumstances.

Near the end, a passing entertainer disparages the white mannequin outside the workshop that has been surveying everyone’s tribulations. Mbakam’s feminist parable has a winning integrity and grace.

Drama films
World cinema

Most viewed

an image, when javascript is unavailable

‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: Brooke Shields Says I Do to Netflix’s Aggressively Inoffensive Rom-Com

Miranda Cosgrove also stars in the respectable yet unremarkable streaming feature, in which a high-strung widow reunites with her ex-flame at her daughter’s destination wedding.

By Courtney Howard

Courtney Howard

‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: Brooke Shields Says I Do to Netflix’s Aggressively Inoffensive Rom-Com 4 days ago
‘Prom Dates’ Review: A Pact Goes Pear-Shaped in More Ways Than One in Hulu’s Reductive Raunch-Com 1 week ago
‘Unsung Hero’ Review: The Family That Prays Together, Plays Together in Uplifting Faith-Based Biopic 2 weeks ago

Mother of the Bride. (L-R) Brooke Shields as Lana and Benjamin Bratt as Will in Mother of the Bride. Cr. Sasidis Sasisakulporn/Netflix © 2024

After “Ticket to Paradise” and “Shotgun Wedding” showed us the different ways in which calamity ensues when planning weddings abroad, Netflix releases “ Mother of the Bride ,” which combines the essential elements of both those recent romantic comedies into one passable package. The far-off setting emphasizes the lavish and luxe, though the narrative is cheaply woven and fairly threadbare. While “Mean Girls” director Mark Waters ’ latest fails to add anything unique to the conversation, it does scrounge up a modest amount of heart when it comes to its saccharine sweet message of never giving up on happily ever after.

Popular on Variety

Interpersonal relationships between the couples don’t hold a modicum of complexity, providing varying degrees of dampened, rushed resolutions. The audience rarely feels the pull of their emotions or the weight of their decisions. The inclusion of a gay couple is welcomed, though the filmmakers don’t do much with that couple, utilizing Clay and Scott primarily to aid Lana’s arc rather than giving them any internality.

Waters falters in exhibiting the nimble visual dexterity of previous projects. There’s no feeling connoted through aesthetic stylization, as when Regina George’s betrayal dawns on Cady in “Mean Girls” or the curse transference between mother and daughter in “Freaky Friday.” There are few grand movie moments to match the heart-swells in “Just Like Heaven” or the red dress reveal in “He’s All That.” The closest we ever get to something of tangible value are a sunset slow dance between the former lovers and copious drone shots of the sprawling resort property in travelogue-style transitional sequences. Perhaps the peppy, occasionally swoony soundtrack married to the perfectly lit imagery is supposed to inspire our connection to the material, but it doesn’t.

Even so, there are a handful of highlights within its algorithm-aided box-checking. Emma is empathetic to her mother’s extenuating circumstances, which is refreshing to see reflected in Robin Bernheim Burger’s writing and Cosgrove’s nuanced, thoughtful performance. Janice’s horny double-entendres (which Harris blessedly delivers with campy aplomb) are hilarious, especially since she’s never even shown kissing someone she’s hitting on, let alone getting her groove on with them. Shields and Bratt have a chemistry that sparks in their stolen looks and vulnerable intimacies, despite an overall lack of burning desire and heat conducted by their connection. It’s fun to see them stretching their muscles by incorporating genre-mandated physical comedy (via recurring clumsy pratfalls) as it helps to endear this cute couple to us.

Still, with its stale sentiments on social media’s toxic culture of likes and superficial depth exploring second chances at true love, the film’s more palatable qualities are needlessly subdued. In fact, it goes out of its way to not offend anyone with delicate sensibilities, whether it be over-explaining motivations or providing forgettable, reductive scenarios. And while a gentle, light-hearted romp is indeed welcomed in these taxing times, there’s much left to be desired from our journey with these likable but under-developed characters.

“Mother of the Bride” is now streaming on Netflix.

Reviewed on Netflix, May 5, 2024. Running time: 88 MIN.

Production: A Netflix release of a Motion Picture Corporation of America production. Producer: Brad Krevoy. Executive producers: Brooke Shields, Oliver Ackermann, Galen Fletcher, Robin Bernheim Burger, Amanda Phillips, Jimmy Townsend, Vince Balzano.
Crew: Director: Mark Waters. Screenplay: Robin Bernheim Burger. Camera: Ed Wu. Editor: Travis Sittard. Music: Caroline Ho.
With: Brooke Shields, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Rachael Harris, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Michael McDonald, Wilson Cruz.

More From Our Brands

Mtv movie & tv awards nixed for 2024, the latest in the saga of marilyn monroe’s iconic l.a. home, atlanta hawks land top pick in french-heavy 2024 nba draft, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, tracker recap: what we learned about russell in jensen ackles’ debut — plus, a supernatural easter egg, verify it's you, please log in.

Find Family Movies, Movie Ratings and Movie Reviews

Big Game Parent Guide

The plot of this film is no more far-fetched than many a tinsel-town tale. what makes this action flick different is the way it breaks from the norm for entertainment aimed at a young audience..

A young hunter (Onni Tommila) finds more adventure than he expected when he stumbles across the US President (Samuel L. Jackson) whose plane has been shot down over the wilderness of Finland.

Release date June 26, 2015

Run Time: 87 minutes

Official Movie Site

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by donna gustafson.

Hollywood has some well-established—if unwritten—laws governing the making of kids’ movies. First, all the violence needs to be sanitized – meaning killings are usually just implied, nothing “messy” is shown (like in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , Night at the Museum and National Treasure ). Second, good guys never kill the bad guys – they turn them over to the authorities, or the villains meet their demise through their own folly (such as in The Incredibles , The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast ). And third, justice always prevails—the only exception being if there are plans to make a sequel (see Superman , Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone and Star Wars: A New Hope ).

For that reason Big Game may be a surprise for North American viewers. Although it features an adolescent protagonist (and seems clearly aimed at a ‘tween/teen aged audience) this joint production between Finland, Germany and the UK doesn’t acknowledge—or follow—any of the previously mentioned rules.

At the same time as Oskari is embarking on his quest, Air Force One happens to be flying over his head. On route to a summit meeting in Helsinki, President William Alan Moore (Samuel L. Jackson) passes his travel time musing over his dismal ratings in the popular press. Thus preoccupied, Bill (as he is called by his closest associates) is unprepared when a missile suddenly slams into the side of plane. Fortunately his security guard (Ray Stevenson) is ready for action. Taking control of the emergency situation, the well-trained operative puts the Commander-in-Chief into an escape pod, jettisons the craft and then follows his charge by parachute. The wounded plane is abandoned to the care of whoever may still be alive onboard.

The President’s capsule is the first to land, and does so in a fiery ball of flame. It falls in a forest so quiet that only one witness hears the crash – Oskari! Unsure if the “UFO” is alien or human, the youngster musters the courage to examines the wreck and inadvertently discovers the world leader. However, once introductions and reassurances are over, the native of Finland isn’t terribly impressed by the identity of the survivor. So instead of agreeing to notify someone of the whereabouts of the lost politician, the boy insists on completing his test of manliness first. Unfamiliar with their rugged surrounding, Bill is forced to kowtow to his companion’s decision and begrudgingly follows along. But the delay in getting help turns out to be a mistake because it gives the perpetrators behind the daring attack time to track down their still-living target. And that leaves the President with only one tiny defender between himself and the terrorists.

The plot of this film is no more far-fetched than many a tinsel-town tale. And like a vast number of those, this movie has obviously spent good money on strong production values, special effects and a big name star. (These assets help cover up some of the flaws of the often-implausible scenarios.) It also expects viewers with any understanding of technology to forget everything they know about the actual abilities of surveillance satellites and the range of electronic devices in remote corners of the world.

Yet what makes this action/adventure flick different is the way it breaks from the norm for entertainment aimed at a young adolescent demographic. Many characters die—with nary a concern from their callous killers. Gunshots and injuries, with realistic blood effects, are frequently shown on screen. Bad guys kill good guys, and good guys kill bad guys. And some villains get their comeuppances, while others get away with their tyranny.

As well, parents may be caught off guard when this PG-13 rated movie depicts disturbing malice of intent, death threats and battered corpses. The script uses moderate amounts of profanities, scatological slang and terms of deity. And there are frequent images of hunting trophies, animal skulls/antlers and the bloody dismembered head of a deer.

Yet Big Game does present an interesting example of cultural conditioning. Depending on where we live, we will have certain expectations for the way stories are told. These differences will likely impact the way we feel about the amount of graphic detail in children’s movies. And this acclimatization is worthy of introspection. Do we protect our children when we “clean up” these portrayals? Or would it be better to have them understand the realities of such altercations? Why do we create violence for amusement in the first place? The answers to such questions are sure to be as individual and varied as they families contemplating them! Still, whatever your personal persuasions, a thoughtful discussion about this topic is likely appropriate for all ages.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Big game rating & content info.

Why is Big Game rated PG-13? Big Game is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of intense action and violence, and some language.

Violence: A past gun wound mentioned and a scar is shown. A character is warned to run before he is killed, and then he is shot at while trying to escape (his death is implied rather than shown). Hunters display trophies, such as animal heads, antlers and skulls. A dismembered deer’s head is seen. A bow and arrow are used to hunt game, and later for self-defense against humans. A missile strike brings downs a plane and kills many of the people onboard. Debris from an aircraft crashes into a forest and starts a small fire. Dead bodies with bloody injuries are shown. Skydivers with faulty parachutes fall to their deaths, and their bloody corpses are shown. Bullets are exchanged and multiple characters are shot on screen (some with blood effects). Characters are in peril from terrorists and zealous government officials. Characters discuss murderous intentions. Characters engage in fistfights and brawls. Threats are made about using taxidermy on a human body. Weapons use is frequently shown. Explosions occur. A man is murdered, and his head injury is shown. Some bad guys get away.

Sexual Content: A man without a shirt is seen. A bathroom accident is mentioned. Slang terms for urine and male anatomy are used.

Language: Some mild and moderate profanity is used, along with scatological slang and terms of deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A character takes prescription medication.

Page last updated July 17, 2017

Big Game Parents' Guide

Big Game is opening in limited theaters. It is also available on Video-on-Demand. The script is based on an origional story by Jalmari Helander (who also directs this film) and Petri Jokiranta.

Talk about the movie with your family…

Why do you think American moviemakers play down the details of violent acts in the movies they make for young audiences? How comfortable are you with watching graphic depictions? How might the sanitization of such acts influence the way violence is perceived?

How might the rating assigned to a film affect the size of the audience that may come to see it? What do you feel is the appropriate age for viewing a PG rated film? A PG-13 rated movie? Or an R rated movie? What types of content seem the most objectionable to you?

How is the depiction of the President different in this Finland/Germany/UK production from those found in American made movies? Who is the hero of this film? What self-confidence issues do both of these characters deal with? How do they help each other overcome these fears?

The most recent home video release of Big Game movie is August 25, 2015. Here are some details…

Big Game releases to home video (DVD or Blu-ray) on August 25, 2015. No extra features are included.

Related news about Big Game

Home Video Releases for August 25

{parents:pull_quote}

More From Forbes

Matt damon movie bust debuts big on netflix u.s. top 10 movies chart.

Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Share to Linkedin

BERLIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 15: Matt Damon poses at the "Small Things Like These" photocall during ... [+] the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 15, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Netflix viewers are into a Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal movie that’s new on the streaming platform.

The big-budget monster movie The Great Wall joined Netflix’s movie lineup on May 1. According to Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 Movies chart for the week of April 29 to May 5, The Great Wall debuted at No. 4 on the list.

Unlike the streamer’s Top 10 Global Movies chart , Netflix doesn’t release viewing data for its top U.S. movies list, so it’s uncertain how many viewers streamed the film and how many streaming hours it accumulated. The Great Wall did not chart on Netflix’s list of top movies globally.

In the film—which is set in ancient China—Damon and Pedro Pascal play mercenaries who join thousands of Chinese soldiers to battle monsters that are heading toward the Great Wall.

The Great Wall was first released in theaters on February 27, 2017. According to the box officer tracker The Numbers , the film earned an underwhelming $45.1 million at the domestic box office during its theatrical run.

The Great Wall had a better reception overseas, though, with a take of $289.3 million, which along with its domestic tally ended up with a worldwide box office gross of $334.4 million.

The Best Mattress For Couples Regardless Of Your Sleep Styles

Wwe smackdown results winners and grades on may 10 2024, the 8 best trampolines with insights from an industry expert.

However, The Hollywood Reporter noted in 2017, since the production budget of The Great Wall was $150 million and had a “conservatively estimated” $80 million marketing cost, the film ended up losing money once the final theatrical revenue was tallied. After all, when a film makes X amount of money in theaters, a percentage of that revenue also goes to the theatrical venues playing the picture.

As such, THR reported that The Great Wall was at the time expected to lose $75 million once all the numbers were counted.

How Did ‘The Great Wall’ Measure Up To Other Films On The US Chart?

According to Netflix, the Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney romantic comedy Anyone But You topped the U.S. chart in its second release on the streamer, while the Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall drama The Judge was No. 2.

The Netflix original comedy Unfrosted —starring Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy and Jim Gaffigan—debuted at No. 3 on the U.S. chart, while the controversial Jenna Ortega psychological thriller Miller’s Girl debuted at No. 5.

Unlike The Great Wall , another big-budget box office dud —2021’s The Matrix Resurrections starring Keanu Reeves—did not make the Netflix U.S. Top 10 Movies chart.

The Great Wall upon its release was bashed by Rotten Tomatoes critics with a 35% “rotten” rating based on 238 reviews. The movie also earned a 42% positive Audience Score based on 10,000-plus ratings.

Editorial Standards
Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service. We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
Content that otherwise violates our site's terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
Actions that otherwise violate our site's terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

Stay on topic and share your insights
Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
Protect your community.
Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us Review | It's Bridgerton Meets Sex Education in This Engaging Teen Drama

Solid cast and great storytelling make this tale about star-crossed lovers at a private school a binge-worthy hit.

High school drama meets star-crossed lovers in the sizzling modern romance, Maxton Hall: The World Between Us .
Intriguing characters navigate wealth, power, and teenage longing at the wonderful setting of Maxton Hall.
A dynamic cast, steamy attractions, and a Bridgerton -esque love story await viewers.

Dangerous attractions, confrontations with wealthy power players, and achy teenage longing are part of the lesson plan in Maxton Hall: The World Between Us , Prime Video’s stellar new private school series based on Mona Kasten’s bestselling novel, Save Me. Toss in a hip Euro music soundtrack, songs by the likes of Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, and a scorching teenage love story , and you’ve got the makings of an A+ series that’s destined to satisfy viewers.

Maxton Hall lands high up there, a better-than-average series elevated by its dynamic cast and the exceptional performances of its two leads , Harriet Herbig-Matten ( Bibi & Tina: Einfach Anders ) and Damian Hardung ( How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast ). The German series, dubbed in English if you'd like, unravels an appealing modern love story between Ruby Bell (Herbig-Matten) and James (Hardung). Ruby is smart and comes from a lower-class family; sporty James is spoiled yet bound to his wealthy family, which helms a prominent global business. Star-crossed lovers all around — part Romeo and Juliet by way of Riverdale’s Archie and Veronica — the duo can only fight fate so long before, well, an inevitable bond forms.

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us (2024)

Ruby unwittingly witnesses an explosive secret at the public school Maxton Hall; as a result, the arrogant millionaire heir James Beaufort has to deal with the quick-witted scholarship student for better or worse.

A wonderfully cast, deliciously plotted show.
Great chemistry and genuine lust abound.
Short but very sweet.

Rounding out that cast are Sonja Weißer, Ben Felipe ( Pagan Peak ), Fedja van Huêt ( Speak No Evil ), Runa Greiner ( Suck Me Shakespeer ), Justus Riesner ( Loving Her ), Clelia Sarto ( Herzstolpern ), Andrea Guo ( The Swarm ) and Eidin Jalali ( The Swarm ). Executive producers Markus Brunnemann and Ceylan Yildirim, and directors Tarek Roehlinger and Martin Schreier do wonders with head writer Daphne Ferraro’s adaptation, giving this outing a fine array of characters and, best of all, a sense of purpose.

Big Doses of Steamy Attractions

The pressure is on at Maxton Hall, the exclusive private school around which the series revolves. Several characters take turns narrating the episodes. The character of Ruby becomes a central figure early on. "We all have the power to shape our own destiny," she tells us in the very first episode, hinting that actually doing that takes a lot of work.

Ruby, vying to get a letter of recommendation from Maxton Hall for Oxford University, is likable, her family even more so. Younger sister Ember (Runa Greiner), a tailor in the making, is one of Ruby’s chief allies, and her mom and dad (Julia-Maria Köhler and Martin Neuhaus) have sacrificed a lot so that Ruby can attend Maxton Hall. There’s a backstory as to why Ruby’s father is bound to a wheelchair, which Ruby can’t quite shake, but the drama unfolding at Maxton Hall suddenly changes her focus.

When Ruby accidentally walks in on wealthy Lydia Beaufort (Weißer) in a place the student should not be, Lydia freaks out. Brother James saunters to the rescue, at first offering Ruby money. Disgusted, she dismisses his wealthy power play, to which James is taken aback. He’s handsome, a celebrated lacrosse player, and he always gets his way. But there’s more than a hint in their initial interaction that suggests these two may create different kinds of sparks.

The series doesn’t overtly dwell on that possibility early on . The goal, at least for Ruby, is to get that letter of recommendation for a chance to get into Oxford. But with every turn, Ruby must overcome obstacles. Her run-ins with arrogant James continue, setting off disastrous ripple effects, which alarms one school official who, as a punishment for their school mishap, pits them together as head of a planning committee for a major event. Ruby can’t escape James now. E njoy the heated repartee between these two, who seem to be intrigued that they’ve become each other’s nemesis .

The 15 Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked

Supporting cast get their dues.

The series effectively rounds out its supporting cast, too. Beyond James’ typical bros, Andrea Guo’s Lin emerges as a reliable side player playing Ruby’s best friend. Teacher Graham Sutton (Eidin Jalali) also figures prominently as the story moves along. You’ll notice a pattern with each episode. Ruby achieves something, then loses her grasp on it, only to backpedal to fix things. Or, for lovers of Riverdale, Gossip Girl, and any Bridgerton outing , the tension between the two leads becomes so smoldering that you’ll have to fan yourself .

In fact, if you cannot get enough of being teased and dragged through the romantic mud with two likable characters you just know will end up in bed with each other, this series serves up the best kind of Bridgerton -like erotica around — from Hardung’s shirtless musculature to the confusing and maddening frustration in Herbig-Matten’s facial expressions. Deep stares across a crowded room while the music swells. Check that off, too.

7 Shows Like Bridgerton to Watch Next

Ruby's story is far from a one-note outing.

At the heart of the show is Ruby, who, of course, has had to work hard for everything, and the series does a great job of showcasing that, but in James, she is given an emotional hurdle she is not fully equipped to easily leap over. She’s smart. But not so much when it comes to her own value or worth.

On the flip side, the series is surprisingly far from being a one-note outing . Daphne Ferraro focuses on the pressures facing James and Lydia and how their steely father informed their decision-making — and their occasional rebellion. Parental relationships are explored , but the surprise twist here is that Maxton Hall also gives us a realistic glimpse at the parents’ and teachers’ perspectives. The result creates a much more well-rounded drama than you would expect. (God, how we love European shows.)

Filled with engaging story twists, sharp editing, and spacious exploration of its characters, everything leads up to events unfolding in the sixth and final episode, which suggests there’s much more story to tell. If the goal was to get Ruby et al. to Oxford, then what? There’s a great opportunity to explore the next phase of these characters’ lives. Sign us up . Fresh, frothy, and fiery, Maxton Hall is probably one of the best, smartly written romantic series to come along since Sex Education. Catch Maxton Hall: The World Between Us on Prime Video on May 9. Watch it through the link below:

Watch Maxton Hall

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

For Parents
For Educators
Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

Get the app
Movie Reviews
Best Movie Lists
Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

Best TV Lists
Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
Common Sense Selections for TV
Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

Book Reviews
Best Book Lists
Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

Game Reviews
Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

Podcast Reviews
Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

App Reviews
Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

YouTube Channel Reviews
YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

Explaining the News to Our Kids

Family Tech Planners
Digital Skills
All Articles
Latino Culture
Black Voices
Asian Stories
Native Narratives
LGBTQ+ Pride
Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Common sense media reviewers.

Adam Sandler comedy has crude humor, language, stereotypes.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Sometimes people learn by making mistakes. Caring

Sonny is lazy and selfish at the start of the film

Main characters are all White. Delivery guy Nazo m

Comedic pratfalls. To make a child laugh, the lead

Woman seen in bra. Characters kiss on the lips. Se

Frequent language includes "s--t," "bulls--t," "s-

Frequent product placement: McDonald's, Hooters, P

A character references taking too many mushrooms i

Positive Messages

Sometimes people learn by making mistakes. Caring for others can help heal yourself. Taking responsibility doesn't mean you can't still have fun. However, bad behavior isn't always punished, and there aren't always consequences for your actions.

Positive Role Models

Sonny is lazy and selfish at the start of the film. He finds amusement in making skaters fall in the park and other mean, childish pranks and is occasionally aggressive toward other adults. Gradually he learns to think of others more and to take responsibility. Layla is independent and hardworking. She's wary of allowing chaos into her life but shows empathy toward both young Julian and Sonny—recognizing his strengths along with his weaknesses.

Diverse Representations

Main characters are all White. Delivery guy Nazo mentions that he's not in the United States legally and is a stereotypically portrayed immigrant: He speaks broken English with a strong (unidentified) accent, watches the "Spice channel," and can't read—which a kid makes fun of. Another character says to "go ahead and get out" of the country if Nazo doesn't like spaghetti and meatballs. A character makes a reference to O.J. Simpson and points to a Black man, saying "this guy knows what I'm talking about." Constant jokes aimed at a woman who used to work at Hooters, belittling her in a sexist way and calling her "Big Boobs McGee." "Fights like a girl" is used as a putdown. Among the central friend group are a gay couple, who are seen to be in a loving relationship, though they also fall into stereotype as being obsessed with looks. A straight friend says he feels uncomfortable around the gay couple and moves a urinal over when peeing next to them. Central character Sonny, also straight, is more accepting and normalizes their relationship to him, saying they're the same people they were at high school. Jokes are made at the expense of a man's age: Characters call him "old man river," reference wrinkles and "old balls," and say "zip it or I'll break your hip." Fatphobic jokes: characters saying a larger man was with a different girl last time they saw him; maybe he ate her. A kid is encouraged to fake a stutter to garner sympathy from a woman. A person responds "gross" to a mention of eczema.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Comedic pratfalls. To make a child laugh, the lead character jumps in front of a moving vehicle and gets hit. A person bangs aggressively on a door, repeatedly bashes a phone receiver against a pay phone, and breaks into a man's house and demands items when he doesn't offer candy at Halloween. Mention of a cab running over a character's foot. Joking threats like "I'll smack you through the wall." A child vomits on-screen. Reference to a mom dying of cancer. Play wrestling results in a character strangled until they pass out, and they're briefly touched on the genitals without permission as a means of checking whether they're faking. A kid holds a slingshot, and piles of dead birds are later shown.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Woman seen in bra. Characters kiss on the lips. Sexual references and innuendo. Sign in bedroom reads "Live Nudes." Passing mention of pornography.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Frequent language includes "s--t," "bulls--t," "s--tload," "horses--t," "d--k," "hell," "ass," "a--hole," "piss," "crap," "damn," and exclamations of "good God." Middle-finger gesture. A child mimics an adult, saying "balls," "goddamn," "crap," and "a--holes." Insults include "cry baby," "moron," "stupid," "freaky," and "loser."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Frequent product placement: McDonald's, Hooters, Pepperidge Farm, Cheetos, Cap'n Crunch, Budweiser, Cheerios, Ruffles, Pepsi, Frito-Lay products, Yoo-hoo, SpaghettiOs.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A character references taking too many mushrooms in the 1970s. People drink beer and other alcohol, and a person at a bar is always seen drunk. A dad reminds his son of the time he found a bag of marijuana in his desk. An adult mentions smoking dope and drinking rum to a group of kids.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Big Daddy is a 1999 comedy in which Adam Sandler plays an irresponsible man-child who "adopts" a young boy under false pretenses. While the movie's humor is on the whole typical goofy, obnoxious Sandler fare, with plenty of comedic pratfalls, jokes are made about people's age and body size, there's sexist language about women who work at Hooters, and offensive immigrant stereotypes also appear. A gay couple is seen in a loving relationship, but they're also clich éd, obsessed with how they look. Reference is made to foster parents and an orphanage. Characters pee against walls, a young boy vomits on-screen, and there are references to him wetting himself. Humor is mined from a 5-year-old saying things like, "Is that the guy with the old balls?" and "But I wipe my own ass," and adults frequently use variations of "s--t," "d--k," "hell," "a--hole," and "damn." There's an incredible amount of product placement, with characters repeatedly mentioning McDonald's, Hooters, Pepperidge Farm, Pepsi, and assorted Frito-Lay products. Characters drink alcohol, one is seen constantly drunk, and there are drug references. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

Parents say (13)
Kids say (64)

Based on 13 parent reviews

Very good movie, immature but with good morality

What's the story.

BIG DADDY centers on Sonny Koufax ( Adam Sandler ), a shiftless young man who's wasting his life, much to the chagrin of his parents, friends, and girlfriend. One day, 5-year-old Julian (played by twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse ) is abandoned on Sonny's doorstep by mistake. Rather than place the boy in an orphanage, Sonny agrees to take care of him for a few days, thinking it will help win back his ex-girlfriend. At first, the two have fun behaving irresponsibly together, but gradually Sonny comes to love the boy and realizes that he wants to keep him. For that, he'll need to take some responsibility and take on the Department of Social Services as well.

Is It Any Good?

This comedy has all the unavoidable elements of most Adam Sandler films: slapstick humor, gross jokes, bodily functions galore, spectacular pratfalls, and plenty of sexual innuendo. Yet Big Daddy is a welcome return to the sweetness and heart of The Wedding Singer after the numbing dopiness of The Waterboy , and the tasteless portions (about 90% of the film) are played in such a broad, obvious way that there's little risk teens will mistake this for acceptable behavior.

This isn't a profound movie, but teens may well enjoy it. Sandler has a light enough touch that the movie doesn't become sentimental or lose its sense of humor by adding some heart. Like the character he plays, Sandler is beginning to learn that you can be responsible and funny at the same time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the appeal of silly comedies such as Big Daddy . Where's the line between funny and offensive? What jokes or references, if any, do you think crossed that line?

How is product placement used in this movie? Why do some movies have what amounts to commercials shoehorned into the story? Do you think this is a problem? Does it affect how you see the brands, and does it encourage you to buy them?

Adam Sandler has a distinct style and personality that often defines his movies. Who are some other actors with their own signature styles, in both comedy and drama? How do they compare?

The movie makes jokes at the expense of others and includes stereotypes about immigrants, women, and a gay couple. Why is it important to consider the impact of seeing repeated clich és about people?

Movie Details

In theaters : June 25, 1999
On DVD or streaming : November 2, 1999
Cast : Adam Sandler , Cole Sprouse , Dylan Sprouse
Director : Dennis Dugan
Studio : Columbia Tristar
Genre : Comedy
Run time : 93 minutes
MPAA rating : PG-13
MPAA explanation : language, sexual references, and potty humor
Last updated : May 10, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Three Men and a Baby

Want personalized picks for your kids' age and interests?

Hotel Transylvania

Goofy comedy movies to watch with tweens and teens, best classic comedy films.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Cast & crew
User reviews

A teenage boy's unexpected crush turns a camping trip into a weekend of self-discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy. A teenage boy's unexpected crush turns a camping trip into a weekend of self-discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy. A teenage boy's unexpected crush turns a camping trip into a weekend of self-discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy.

Corey Sherman
Isaac Krasner
Dora Madison
David Johnson III
3 User reviews
13 Critic reviews
4 wins & 3 nominations

Taj Cross and Isaac Krasner in Big Boys (2023)

Fantasy Jamie
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

User reviews 3

michelleroca
Jun 28, 2023
How long is Big Boys? Powered by Alexa
August 16, 2024 (Sweden)
United States
Official Website
Lake Arrowhead, California, USA
Perfect Dog Pictures
The Film Collaborative
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes