The kids I went with LOVED this movie, but I thought it was boring. I think other people should watching this movie with there kids some time they would really like it of they like animals. I'm just the kind of person who likes more action, fighting, ect.
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Nim's Island
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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 7; suggested age 7. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Book-based tropical adventure is good family fun.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 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 Nim's Island
Parents need to know that this kid-friendly adventure movie has some intense moments of peril (particularly during two scary storms) but is ultimately a positive story with a great role model for tween girls (and boys!). The book-and-science-loving 11-year-old heroine is left alone on a tropical island by her father (her mother died when she was a baby, which is explained in the opening sequence) and has to fend for herself when he's delayed in getting back to her. She gets scared and upset and even hurts herself, all of which may bother some young and/or sensitive kids, but she's also resourceful and not afraid to ask for help.
Read our full review by Betsy Bozdech
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about whether this kind of movie is as entertaining as one with lots of special effects and/or animation. Kids: Which kind of adventure do you like better, and why? What makes Nim different from many other kid characters in movies and TV shows? Do you think she's a good role model? What about Alex Rover? What do Alex and Nim learn during the movie? What would you do in Nim's situation? Do you think it was right for her father to leave her alone on the island? Families who've read the book can compare and contrast the two. Which do you like better, and why?
Our Members Say
See all 31 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
For Kids But Not For Me.
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Great Family Movie
We all loved this movie. My 7yo's are easily scared by intense scenes in movies. The scenes with the father at sea might have been frightening if they had seen them on the big screen (we watched on DVD). Also, knowing about those scenes ahead of time and knowing the father was going to be alright in the end really helped. Thanks to Common Sense Media, we were able to prepare them and we all got to enjoy a great family movie!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Great adventure, great fun!
This is a fun movie for the whole family. I don't find anything objectionable in the movie. Some say that there are some risque bikini shots on the beach, but no more than one would find at any city pool in America.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
not bad
Nim's Island was a pretty good good movie, i would say 6+, barely anything bad in it. If you like adventure movies, then you should see it.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great book, great movie!
My daughter read the book during her 1st grade class, then we took her to the movie. It was a great visual depiction of what she read, and she was able to connect what she read to what she saw and where there were nuances. A thrilling family movie. Not for children who get easily scared of storms.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Fabulous mother/daughter fun at the movies for a change!
It was such a treat to have an adventure-loving, science minded, not-mean-girl heroine in a children's movie. I took two 7 year olds, a 13 year old (going on 18) and all four of us enjoyed it immensely. One of the 7 year olds hid her eyes at certain points that were a bit too scary. It was such great to go to a movie for girls that wasn't about shopping, finding a husband, being sexy, or involving a romantic fairy tale. It was great to see Nim figure out how to survive and solve problems. This past week I have been asking my daughter "what do you think Nim would have done if she had that problem" and it starts an interesting conversation!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Age 8 and Above
My 7-year-old daughter was very upset in the beginning. The violent storm and the Dad in trouble was too much for my daughter - we had to walk out. My 10 and 12 year olds were fine with the drama.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
it was pretty good.okay
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
This is a U in UK too much peril for a 5 year old!
Since this was rated U I had no concerns taking my 5 and 8 year old. Within 30 minutes the 5 year old boy was too scared and we had to leave although my 8 year old daughter was enjoying it. He certainly would have been frightened at the helicopter scene with the author screaming they were going to die! Too much graphic peril for Unclassified- also a fist fight although in a dream sequence.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Movie not as fun and lighthearted as the commercial for it promises
There have been commercials for this film all over the channels my 7-year-old daughter watches, so she was psyched for it. The movie was very intense and scary for her at times, and I was surprised at how nervous I felt through the whole film. It makes me angry how the media markets these films that are not appropriate for young children in a way that makes the film appealing to this group. My daughter stated when we left the movie that she wished she hadn't seen it. With the amount of action and peril in this movie, I'd say it's better off for the 10 or 11 and over crowd.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
good kids movie,even if its predictible
nice movie that i thought was gonna suck
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Wow
The part when Nim busted her leg was gross. There was no language. I loved the movie Wow Wee!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
IDC
It's ok I guess but kinda boring and cheesy.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Not for the youngest kids
7+ is an appropriate age rating. I took a chance and took my 5-year-old, because she was so interested in the story. But this is an adventure story, and she was not ready to see her favorite characters in danger. There is nothing unsuitable in terms of language or adult activity. But your child must be mature enough to enjoy the excitement rather than be fearful.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Action-Adventure for kids
It was great to watch a movie-with my 10 year old and have fun-and be thrilled by the action!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Good fun for Fri night
Took my 8 year old son and we both enjoyed it very much. He loved the animals and how creative Nim was... thought the relationship between Nim and Alex was fun and the relationship between Alexandra and Alex rather funny. I think it is a fun movie and wished my 14 year old had been with us.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great movie
This movie was quite entertaining. It is a good family movie. My 14 yo daughter and her friend loved it. Jodie Foster's roll of the OCD, agoraphobic is quite hilarious. I'm not fond of spiders, so the spider scene was quite creepy, but in no way scary. Also, there is one scene where Nim falls and cuts her leg. It is a little bloody, but very brief.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say they notice product placement |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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