I found this movie extremely entertaining! It is definitely appropriate for all ages, however like others have stated, it may be too scary for younger kids. Pre-teens and adults will love this one if they're into fantasy but I say 6 and up anyway! Great story about a small boy who secretly finds and raises a water horse and becomes best friends, until the water horse later becomes a giant! Then he must let him go. It's full of joy but has it's sad moments. Must watch film....with a tissue box at hand :)
Tools for this page
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
-
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?
-
Common Sense says
Predictable family fantasy not as good as book.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Sexy stuff:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Parents need to know that this adaptation of the popular book by Babe author Dick King-Smith has a very different plotline than the original story, escalating the violence within the WWII-era setting. The monster becomes truly dangerous when fully grown (in an old-school King Kong way), lashing out at people with snapping jaws -- which leads the British soldiers to open fire on it. But it's still a kid-friendly film overall.
Read our full review by Charles Cassady Jr.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the Loch Ness Monster. Do you think it could be real? Why or why not? How might a story like this have gotten started? Can you think of other movies in which a child forms a secret attachment with an unusual pet or unearthly friend? How is this movie similar to and different from them? Families who've read the book the movie is based on can compare the two -- which do you like better, and why?
Our Members Say
See all 33 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
The water.....Monster!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Magical film
This film is magical! A boy bonds with a "water horse". The special effects are great, though younger kids may be frightened.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
YUCK
I have to say that that was one of the most boring movies I've seen in a while. I got through forty minutes without falling asleep and then left to read my book. There are about ten swear words (that includes the Lord's name taken in vain) and a few "startling" moments. No sex. A few places where we see people either smoking or drinking wine. No drunkeness, though. I recommend for younger kids, although my parents enjoyed it, so apparently some adults get meaning out of it. Teens will probably find it boring, as it is devoid of any action whatsoever.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Best movie ever
I think this would be a great movie for 5 years and up. I liked it because it was a great adventure with things you would never dream about.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
I took my 4 year old daughter, and she absolutley was glued to her seat for once. The water horse is too scary for the younger children like mine. The water horse was cute as a baby, but torns into a huge monster later on... The scenery was excellent, but very military based movie. Great for older kids, but not a sweet feeling movie if that's what your looking for.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Good but a little scary
My 6-year old enjoyed this movie, though some of the darker scenes were a bit scary (and loud) for him - the water horse definitely was only 'cute' at the beginning and became a scarier creature than the movie trailer suggested. The scenery was beautiful though and the film was well-made.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great Take on Loch Ness Monster
Saw this with my six-year-old on Christmas Day. Very heart-warming and well thought out story. Will absolutely buy for my son when it comes out on DVD.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A must see!
This film has a great story and fantastic characters. This film does have some violence and uses of beer and some smoking. But this movie is great and needs to be seen by any type of movie fan.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
realy good movie
The Water horse was a good movie I would take your kids to see this movie because it was cute and funny.This is the movie that is about a boy named Aungus and a water horse named Crstyl and they loved eachother so very much.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Gotta see the water horse
I took my two kids(1 boy and 1 girl) and my mother to see this movie. It was a change from any other movie that we have seen. I loved the setting and the characters were great. The water horse was adorable-my daughter wanted one when we got home. There was a little gun firing but it was not bad. You know that the good guy is going to win. My son did get a little concerned because they were shooting at him, but it kept you on the edge of your seat. All and All I loved the movie. It is a very clean movie to take your family to. I think children under 7 may loose the story line, but the water horse was worth seeing when he was a baby and the little games that he plays with the kids in the movie. You laugh and cry in this movie. Its a great one.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
my 7 year old neice was scared and sad the whole time
this movie is too mature and scary for kids on the young side. it is a sensitive story and had my 7 year old neice scared and crying the whole time for the "water horse".
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Finally good old fashioned family movie!
My 8 year old was really talked us into this movie. We went and we all loved it! A 7, 8, 11, 29, and 34 year old all loved it! There wasn't much violence, there was a bit of peril, but now real violence. The only questionable language was really more local, so my kids didn't really get it, but it wasn't that bad anyway. It was really just a feel good movie. It's about time!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
Leave little/sensitive ones at home
As other reviewers have said, there are very scary and/or suspensful bits in this movie. 7yo son closed eyes and covered ears at several points. This movie would be great for the vast majority of 10 year olds and SOME 7 to 9 year olds but the 6-and-unders need to stay home unless you want to risk leaving the theatre in tears. Personally, I enjoyed it - good acting, good animation, beautiful scenery.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Little Scary
I thought it was a lot of fun but it was also a little scary. The water horse looked real and the acting was really good.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Great family flick
My six-year-old boy loved it the first - and second - times he saw it. It's a bit of a tear-jerker for parents, as a young boy comes to terms with the loss of both his father and the need to respect the wildness of his friend the Water Horse. But for kids, it's a wonderful fantasy about conquering fear (young Angus is terrified of the water until the Water Horse takes him for an amazing ride), loyalty (Angus is willing to give his life for his friend), and friendship (Angus builds relationships with his sister and with the new caretaker, who share the secret of the Water Horse). All in all, plenty to enjoy for adults and kids who are mature enough to filter out the complexities of the war-time setting to focus on the simple messages, engaging special effects, and action sequences.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
