Tools for this page
Print

The Mighty Ducks

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    A light-hearted classic kids' sports movie.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Emphasis on learning how to deal with loss, teamwork, acceptance of others.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some body checking in hockey games, some light wrestling and shoving.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Light swearing: "damn," "bastard."
  • Consumerism:

    Hockey equipment and merchandise: Mighty Ducks jerseys.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and driving (punished).

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Mighty Ducks was written by Elliot Panek

Parents need to know that this film is about a rather violent, expensive sport -- hockey. The possibility of injury is addressed, though not in a way that conveys the risk of playing this sport. Drunk driving leads to arrest and community service; however, that community service ends up being a rewarding experience, so the seriousness of drunk driving may fall by the wayside.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about ways that children may deal with high-pressure situations, like the ones faced by the hockey players in the movie. If Charlie had missed his shot at the end of the movie, what could the team and the coach have done to let him know they still supported him?
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on The Mighty Ducks

What’s the Story?

THE MIGHTY DUCKS tells the familiar story of an underdog sports team's rise from the bottom. Gordon Bombay's (Emilio Estevez) fast-lane life as a cutthroat attorney takes a turn for the worse when he's arrested for drunk driving. As part of his community service sentence, Gordon must coach a hockey team comprised of rag-tag neighborhood kids. Though he carries the guilt of a hockey failure and his father's death with him, Gordon, with the help of his team, is able to face his demons, and his old overbearing coach. In the process, the Mighty Ducks, as they come to be called, learn to work together and accept those different from them.

Is It Any Good?

The Mighty Ducks is a fun and frothy family film. The pressure to excel is ever-present in kids' sports, and this movie is a good way to breach the topic with kids. There is a brief foray into single-parent romance, as Gordon courts the mother of one of the players.

Overall, things never get serious for very long, as the film highlights the camaraderie and laughs of being part of a team. It never really feels like a lecture to kids, so they are likely to enjoy it, and will hopefully take from it some lessons concerning competition. For kids 8 and up.

Movie Details

Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Director: Stephen Herek
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/2/1992, DVD release: 4/11/2000
MPAA Rating: PG for mild profanity and hockey violence

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about The Mighty Ducks?

or

to post a review

See all 1 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    ok

    This movie we watched in class this is just a ok movie

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    The Princess and the Frog

    The Princess and the Frog

    First African-American Disney princess is a good role model.

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know.YouTube and Your Kid

    What parents need to know.

  • Must See TV

    Team Umizoomi

    Team Umizoomi

    Super team teaches preschoolers real-life math applications.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

    "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

    Innocent love song for tweens from a PG-13 movie soundtrack.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name