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Zathura: A Space Adventure

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sci-fi adventure for the elementary school set.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Space ships are armed with guns and futuristic missiles, lizardish space aliens are menacing; crazed robot attacks boys; meteors and space weapons blow up the boys' house/space ship.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Teenaged sister wears a tight top in preparation for her night out; she develops a crush on a character who turns out to be her younger brother at a later age.
  • Language:

    Minor language, including kids' use of "d---k," "screwed," "ass," and "bee-yatch."
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Zathura: A Space Adventure

Parents need to know that the movie begins with typical tensions, resentments, and competitions between two brothers, aged six and 10. Their father is divorced and their teenaged sister is distracted by her interest in boys and parties. The film includes scary music, scary sound effects (crashes, explosions, alien-monster growls), and some images of space-aliens and a big robot attacking the boys that might be frightening for younger viewers. Boys use some obnoxious language ("d--k," "screwed") and violence against the aliens to save themselves.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the relationship between the two brothers: how do they learn to appreciate and take care of one another? How do Lisa or their father fit into or affect the brothers' relationship? How does the absent mother (never seen on screen, though she arrives to pick them up in a car) figure into the family tensions?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Zathura: A Space Adventure?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 41 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

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

    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIMES 10

    I love this movie my brothers 8 and 10 who were 6 and 10. We watched it when it premeried on cartoonnetwork and my entire family loves it. we didn't think it was scary and the swear was blocked on cartoonnetwork. Overall awesome movie!!

  2. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Good for 10 and up.

    I wasn't sure how I was going to feel when I first got this movie, but after I viewed it I decided that overall it wasn't a bad movie. There is some violence that might scare children under 10. Also there are a few instances of bad language. I also think that the older sister, played by Kristin Stewart, is portrayed as a little uncaring and unresponsible.

  3. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Very Scary, but not for now.

    I watched this movie when I was 9 or 10 years old. The intensity was very high! There was a TV, but it got destroyed by a meteorite. I did not notice anything else bad.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    wow

    This is a movie that I love!!!

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 3.0

    great for 9+

    I think zathura is a good movie with adventure it is almost exactly like jumunji except this one is in space! it also has twilights own christin stewart

  6. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    After I got past a very inappropriate word being used in the first 2 minutes of the movie, I felt that it was an engaging adventure somewhat appropriate for my 8 year old. The movie is suspenseful more than it is scary, however, I will say that the part with the Zorgon lizard species gets a bit intense. I think younger viewers would be frightened by the constant action. Although I let my 8 year old watch it, I think it is more appropriate for slightly older viewers.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Good movie but scary

    It is a scary movie and some kids will be very scared by it.

  8. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Can lead to long-term nightmares

    My 6 year old son, who tends to "think too much," was terrified by this movie and actually had recurring nightmares for MONTHS after watching it. It plays a little too scary with that line between dreams and reality for younger kids. Lots of violence and extremely scary images and concepts. Make sure your child can handle this before letting them watch it - even consider watching it yourself first to make "the call."

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Zathura

    Zathura is really good. But... there is some bad language. There are some very funny parts but there are some very scary parts too. But for me, I like it.

  10. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    Way too scary for my 5-year-old in the theater. We had to go behind the wall in the foyer because it was so intense, but he didn't want to leave. I wanted him to see it had a good ending at least, if was ok with sticking it out, so I agreed to stay. All kids are different, but I thought it was one we could have waited a few years on.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in Montana
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    great.....

    great movie!

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Great sci-fi adventure

    I actually liked this movie. Great special effects and acting. Not scary at all.

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    It is awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Not very scary.

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    some strong language

    this movie does have strong language including one d--k so i rate it for 6+

  15. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    e.g. You should think twice before going with a tween!

    this is illigul

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Terrifying.

    I watched this when I was in my mid teens, I think, and it still terrifies me to this day! Would not recommend it for anyone easily scared, especially by space adventures. This may be a spoiler, but Zathura is a black hole-- absolutely terrifying especially after that whole nightmare "game" to get there. I would not let my kids watch this one.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Sci-fi at its best!

    Although not as good as Jumanji, this film is also great. People sould love the aliens and space themes.

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    outer space adventure.

    I think this film is great because the place on the outer space. i hope you like it too.

  19. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    great movie

    dick isnt that bad of a word

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    Loved It!

    My son was sitting on the edge of his seat and loving this movie. I didn't like some of the language and the zorgons were a little too scary for my liking, but he really loved it. I will buy and edit out the language myself, and we'll all be happy. :)

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