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Peter Pan

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stereotypes mar otherwise jaunty Disney adventure.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Stereotypical view of Native Americans, but they are portrayed as Peter's courageous allies, which was controversial when the play was written.
  • Violence & scariness:

    A swordfight, and kids walk the plank on Captain Hook's ship. A ticking crocodile is after Captian Hook.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Tinkerbell has a jealous streak and a crush on Peter Pan.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Peter Pan

Parents need to know that this story does have moments that are whimsical but also very odd; some children find this engaging, but a few find it troublesome, or worry about what happened to Peter's parents and whether he will be all right without them. The "What Makes the Red Man Red" song is embarrassingly racist and sexist. There is also a sexist overlay to the entire story, with Peter rapturously adored by all the females and at best indifferent in return. Tinkerbell, who is, of course, a fairy, is the only female in the story who is capable of much action other than nurturing, and she is petty and spiteful (though ultimately loyal). When he first meets Wendy, Peter says "Girls talk too much," which one boy who watched with me thought was rapturously funny.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the idea of never growing up. Have you ever thought that you didn't want to grow up? Have you ever thought that you'd like to be a grown up right now? What would you do? Would you like to visit Neverland?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    With 5 year old we'll try reading the book. Don't care for the movie

    My 3 year old was turned off pretty quickly. My five year old boy was interested but getting a little vibe he didn't like (like moving trees and more he couldn't verbalize) to the point that he didn't care to watch it much more than 15 minutes and was eager to try a different show.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

  3. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Good fantasy for dreamers

    Yes, there's "What Makes the Red Man Red" which is totally uncomfortable. However, our 4 year old boy loves this film and there is much to love in it, including using imagination to fly, and the challenges of growing older and being responsible. Plus there's escapism when kids can outsmart their adult counterparts. What little boy wouldn't want to be a Lost Boy for a day? But it's still grounded when they long for their mothers at home. Couple notes: There's Tick-Tock the crocodile that might be a bit scary, but ultimately is used for laughs. Also, Captain Hook/Mr. Darling are voiced by the same actor and share many characteristics. For a more mature viewer, there's definitely some deconstructing to be done on that point. At least the film doesn't draw on the potential death of Tinkerbell which is a major factor of the original stage production, which was broadcast for TV back in the day. I was prepping myself for the "Clap if you believe in fairies" part, which could've caused some concerns in our youngster, and it never occurs. Woo-hoo!

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title off for age 11 and give it 2.0

    bad in many ways

    I'm so glad that I previewed this for my 7 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter. I remember hearing some concerns about stereotyping of Native Americans and Tinkerbell's feminine jealousy, but I thought to myself "how bad could it be?" Answer: bad, very bad. The racist stereotyping of Native Americans could not be uglier, and sexism is pervasive throughout the movie (Wendy is nurturing, Tinkerbell is pretty, and they compete for Peter's attention, but Peter's totally self-centered). My daughter thinks she likes Tinkerbell b/c of the current Disney marketing - she's just a pretty fairy right? Wrong, she's jealous and deceitful, and dumb apparently, as she gets tricked and captured by Captain Hook. The movie is dated, and its values & narrative are out of date. With all these problems, the movie is simply not entertaining. Embarrassing is more like it.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in District of Columbia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I loved this!

    A must-see film for all ages.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Good movie for all ages. please read.

    I don't know why parents are so contreversial about this film. They keep saying that it has language and sexual themes and bla bla bla. but I don't think anything is wrong other than two things; Captian Hook is traumatized by the crocodile, and I feel sorry for him because I'm the same way with dogs. and the other thing: John smokes in one part of it. (underaged drug usage) thats it. it is one of my favorite animated movies, but it's too short. Peace Out. this is for 5 year olds and up.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 2.0

    We didn't even finish it.

    We have a four year old whose grandparents' take great pride in purchasing Disney movies for. Our son was so excited to get Peter Pan, but as usual, we told him we would need to screen the film prior to him watching it. We watched the first 1/2 hour, and decided that it's definitely too old for a young child. There's a part where the Dad just blows up at the children-- which isn't really all that offensive, but we were sure our four year old wouldn't understand. The clencher was the part where one of the pirates pulls a gun and puts it up to another's face, threatens to slit his throat, etc. That's just not something I want my kid emulating at this age!

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    BEST SHOW EVER

    This is like the classic of classics I love this show. No kid's life is complete without this show.

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    I haven't seen this movie in years, but I just feel that I have to defend the movie. First off Hook wants to kill Peter because Peter cut off his hand and feed it to the crocodile. Second, I'm sure that the parents didn't leave that kids alone as there probably were at least a couple of servants in the house(at that time even middle class families had servants). Finally, I find the fact that all the girls swoon over Peter harmless, and the fact that he's oblivious to it all shows his boyish innocence.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 0.0

    inappropriate on so many levels

    Yes, I watched it as a child. No, I will not let my kids watch it. I do not care for the way the father treats the children, the way TinkerBell treats Wendy, the way the girls all swoon for Peter but he ignores them. My 3 year old daughter saw this movie at a friend's house, without my knowledge, and had so many questions: how could Captain Hook want to KILL a child? are there other adults who want to hurt chlidren? why aren't there adults to protect the children? why is Tinkerbell so mean? why doesn't the father love his children? why did the parents leave the children alone when they went out? could someone come into our house through the windows while we are sleeping? While some children may not be affected by these scenes, highly intelligent or sensitive children may be. And while these topics are worth discussing and exploring, preschoolers do not need to be exposed to them before they are mature enough to have a meaningful discussion. Too many parents let their children watch a movie simply because it comes from Disney.

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    So boring!

    Bad movie it is a waist of money!!!

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    disney gal

    this is still one of my favorite movies. i can watch it over and over!

  16. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 2.0

    My kid loves this one, but I hate it.

    I know I'll sound like a fanatic saying this, but I cannot handle the sexual dynamics of this old favorite. All the girls love Peter (Wendy, Tinkerbell, Tiger Lilly, and the mermaids); and they are so jealous of Peter's attention to Wendy that the mermaids are very mean to her and Tinkerbell tries to KILL her. Peter is oblivious to all this and wants Wendy to be his mother. The Darling family also has a roaring father who is oblivious to his children's issues. Lastly, one doesn't need to mention the un-PC treatment of American Indians in the film, e.g., What makes the Red Man red? When did he first say "Ugh"? That said, we have a copy of the film; my 4 year old son loves it; and he went as Peter last Halloween.

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