This was a fun, sweet movie. The magically store will really attract your kid's attention. The store expresses it's sadness as Mr. Magorium plans to 'depart', so be prepared to discuss death with your child. The subject is handled very well, however. I also liked the relationship between the adult and child who both needed friends in their lives.
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Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
(2007, Rated G, Family and kids, Starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills)
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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 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sweet magical tale will feed kids' toy cravings.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Parents need to know that this sweet, family-friendly fantasy is brimming with product placement, though most of it's in context (you can't really make a movie about a magic toy store without toys...). Plus, the positive messages about friendship, trust, finding your potential, and believing in yourself overshadow most of the branding. There isn't any violence, but the store does throw a temper tantrum that sends toys flying after patrons (the red walls also fade to gray, and the toys lose their spark and color). A significant death, while presented in an idealized way to fit in with the tone of the film, is handled gently and poignantly; there are some sad scenes, but it's peaceful overall (though really young kids may need further explanation of how death really works). A young boy is looked at as a loner and has trouble making friends with other kids.
Read our full review by Jill Hipps and Betsy Bozdech
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about product placement and commercial tie-ins. Did your kids notice how many toys were featured in the movie? Why were some more obvious than others? Where else have your kids noticed ads and other marketing for this movie? Also, why do you think Eric felt that he was different than the other kids? Did your child relate to his character? Families can also use the movie as an opportunity to talk about death. What does it mean? How do you cope with it? Is dying always sad? Why or why not? How is it different in real life than the way it is in the movie?
Our Members Say
See all 39 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
Sweet movie with good messages about life
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
My review
I thought this movie was cute,colorful,and entertaining. The only bad language is the word crap, and Mr.Magorium says he's leaving, you dont see him die, but he says his goodbyes, and then a funerul is shown.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
One of my favorite movies! (age 8)
This movie is one of the best movies I've seen because there is lots of magic and people in the movie care about other people in the movie.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
One of my favorite movies! (age 8)
I think the movie was the best because there is a lot of magic and people in the movie care about other people in the movie.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I loved this movie!!! :D
I CANNOT believe what everybody says!! This is a GREAT movie, and I think it should be for ages 0+ up! This deserves a 5 star rating! I don't think it's THAT sad when "he dies". It's just "he dies". Nothing more than that! I admit I got tears in my eyes. The actors were TERRIFFIC! Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Zach Mills, and all the others!!! It was wonderfully put together. I LOVED IT!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Weird.
All of the toys made me dizzy, and the old man is silly. It was a weird movie.
- I rate this title off for age 11 and give it
Bizarre Movie
The movie main theme is that the main character is going to die. This is a depressing movie and not for young kids.
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
Innapropriate for Kids dealing with death in their lives...
I let my 6 and 12 year olds watch this movie (without doing the research) by themselves. I read the back and checked out the G rating and thought "Oh, this is fine". The back of the box says that the boss is going to retire, not DIE. My children lost their grandfather and are dealing with death and what it really means. My son is all of the sudden (I thought) freaking out again about my death and thinking that I am going to die and leave him. I just watched the movie and now I know why he is again freaked out. Had I had known that Mr. Magorium was slated to die and not just retire, I never would have allowed him to watch the movie. My daughter yes, that I why I suggest that this movie is for older kids and not those who are dealing with a real death in their lives. It's not sweet and trancendant...it's death and has thrown my family back to having to reassure my son that if Nana picks him up at daycare it's because Mom is working and not because she is dead.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great Movie, Good Lessons
I thought this movie was a great way to approach the issue of Death with children. Young children (under 5) won't understand the story, but others (and adults) can work through a scary topic with the characters. A fun magical movie that teaches each viewer to believe in himself.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
So Sad...But Awesome!
I loved it! It deserved a G rating, but it was a little sad...I cried (but I cry a lot!) The overall theme was good: believe in yourself. It was also a little sad, but I won't spoil the ending! I bought it...and I give it two thumbs up!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I laughed and I think it is a must read book for 8 year olds
I LOVED this movie. It was so funny I couldn't even stop laughing. This is a must read book!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Magical Tale about a sensitive subject
It was entertaining and the subject of transitioning from death to another world wasn't heavy or overdone. We liked the way to story played out, I think in time it will stand out as an unique and exceptional film despite what most childless cynics say over at Rotten Tomatoes. Worth the rental.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Wait for the DVD
This movie looked better in the previews. It was cute and sweet and had some cool magical effects with the toys and the toy shop which were fun to watch and I know my 5 yr olds enjoyed. The movie had too much of an adult theme - the toy shop owner dying, an accountant coming in to do the books, the owner leaving the shop to Natalie Portman's character - all of it was a little too much dialog for kids and I think those parts were boring for them. More magic, less talk = would have been a better movie. They did like it but didn't love it. The death scene was done beautifully and appropriately for a G movie.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
I forgot I was at the Movies!
This was a wonderful movie that reminded me what it felt like to be a kid. It showed current toys, which my 7-year-old daughter thought was cute, and older toys for the parents to remember. It is very sweet and completely about making a child feel better about themselves and reminding children how important it is to embrace other's differences. Would recommend for all ages and genders! We WILL see it again and consider it a classic!!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
pretty and fun in parts but story lacking
This movie wasnt worth the money for mom and 4 year old. Neither were impressed. The story didn't hold our interest.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Sweet movie, one child loved it one didn't
My 9 year old daughter saw this with her friend and loved it. I took my 5 year old daughter as a mommy/daughter date. She was bored, we went too late 7 PM showing. And she wanted to leave. I thought it was very sweet. This can be viewed by anyone!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
We cried and had to explain why Mr. Magorium was "leaving" ...well, DYING!
I was not prepared for all the focus on Mr. Majorium's death and the mystery around it and that he was going because "it was his time". How do you explain that to a 5 1/2 year old. I had both of them sitting in my lap. Sadly, that seemed to be the common seen more than the girls story. It really put a dark overdone on the whole story. I thought it was a bit much for a rated "G" movie. I left there feeling like once again..hollywood wants my daughter to grow up too fast! She did enjoy the visuals when the Emporium was happy. I didn't think product placement was a big issue. It would be nice if trailers told you the truth about a story. It was "fun, FUn, fun" in the trailers of this movie. SO naturally, who'd expect death to be a major them. Not the best for a 5 year old. Content should have pumped this to a "PG" rating.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great Family Film!
Our whole family loved this movie. I have a almost 5 and almost 7 year olds. The 4 year old was a little concerned about Mr. Magorium "leaving" which she kept insisting was dying...which it was. But the message was wonderful and a great holiday movie for the whole family.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 33% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents say they notice product placement |
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