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Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Pure, sweet imagination for both kids and adults.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, honesty, materialism
updated 11.06.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    May inspire kids to read the book upon which this is based.
  • Messages:

    Charlie is rewared for honesty, and he learns that his dreams can come true. Various character flaws (greed, gluttony, and excessive television watching) are satirized.
  • Role models:

    Charlie is a wonderful role model, and is rewarded for his good behavior. The other children, who are not good role models, are punished.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Four of the young leads impetuously leap into situations that at first seem fatal, but ultimately aren't. Charlie and Grandpa Joe are almost decimated by fan blades (they escape the situation in short order). Wonka takes everyone on a creepy pseudo-psychedelic boat ride.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Parents need to know that overall this is an excellent, imaginative family film. While it doesn't have any content that would be considered inappropriate for kids, author Roald Dahl's signature dark humor is evident. There are a few scary/tense scenes that may disturb younger or more sensitive children. Slugworth is a creepy character (who turns out OK in the end). When Wonka takes the kids on a wild boat ride through a tunnel, some icky images appear and the kids on the boat are terrified. All of the ticket-winning kids end up in some kind of peril (some wind up in more dangerous situations than others), but they all turn out safe and sound in the end.

Read our full review by Ed Grant

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the different kids' choices as they go along on the tour. What would you do if you were one of the kids? When has being honest been rewarded for you?
  • Compare this version to the more recent Johnny Depp version. Which do you prefer, and why?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    A real winner

    Although; the plot deviates from the book towards the end- which my daughter (17) didn't like; and there was scene with a boat ride that was much too scay for my son(5), overall the movie was very enjoyable. It's one of the only ones we can watch together as a family.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Scary at times

    This movie was on TV and for the longest time I couldn't watch it because the Oompa Loompa's were really scary to watch. It's a brilliant work of imagination for its time and has you wanting to be good like Charlie and crave chocolate for at least a couple of weeks.

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

    classic

    this is one of those classics that don't look great at first but then turns out perfect. i loce this movie so much. it is one of my favorites yet the matrix (my first favorite) kicks this movies ass

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 0.0

    WB IS EVIL!!!!

    WB IS SO EVIL WHEN THEY MADE THIS MOVIE THAT IN THE BOAT RIDE, FIRST THEY SHOW GREEN SMOKE, THEN A WORM, THEN THEY SHOW A WORM GOING ACROSS A RESTING GUY'S MOUTH! THEN THEY SHOW THE GUY'S EYE IN HORROR, THEN THEY SHOW A CHICKEN BEING BEHEADED, AND OTHER SICK STUFF LIKE THAT! WHAT WERE THEY THINKING! THE DIDN'T EVEN GET THE TITLE RIGHT. (the book is called CHARLIE and the Chocolate Factory)

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Favorite movie

    Willy wonka and the chocalate factory is my favorite movie.i watched it with my aunt and my parents we all laughed at the funny and crazy things Willy Wonka did. you should watch this movie its really funny.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    This is a classic, and SO much better than the remake with Johnny Depp. It teaches kids some pretty good lessons, and is very entertaining. Love it!

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in West Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Good Movie

    I brought it to school once.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Eh...

    I don't know why Willy Wonka is considered a 'classic.' It is boring at times, not all that funny, and Willy Wonka himself comes across as a bit sadistic. There are people who compare this to Wizard of Oz, which was a far better classic. Overrated. Good for kids: 6+

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    A classic

    My kids identified with Charlie's deprivation (although they are hardly on his level) and noted the reward for his honesty. Yes the characters behave horribly but they get their just desserts. The boat ride is scary; those who are sensitive closed their eyes. Also, adults will have to be able to take hearing the "Oompah loompah" song from their kids for the next week.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  14. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Sacry stuff here

    I'll be honest - I HATE this movie! It scared me to death as a kid and still creeps me out. Willy Wonka is weird. The kids on the tour are HORRIBLE. It'll never be shown in my house.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    spectacular !

    great(and somtimes strage)movie.

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

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