Common Sense Media Review
Darker than the original, not for very young kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Babe: Pig in the City
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a surprising departure from the light-hearted original, with many finding it dark, scary, and inappropriate for children due to its unsettling themes and sexual content. While some appreciate its creativity and unique storytelling, numerous reviews express disappointment at the level of violence and the presence of disturbing scenes that are unsuitable for younger audiences.
- dark themes
- inappropriate content
- scary scenes
- disappointing sequel
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 7 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Once again, Babe is called on to save the day, as the Hoggett's farm is threatened with foreclosure. Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski) and Babe must appear at a fair to raise money to save the farm. But everything goes wrong. They miss their connecting flight and are stuck in the strange and menacing city.
Is It Any Good?
Families who loved Babe need to know that this sequel, co-written and directed by Mad Max's George Miller, is much darker and more unsettling, not suitable for most small children. Mrs. Hoggett and Babe are beset upon by every kind of predator, and the warm and cozy scenes of redemption and reconciliation we expect never come. Mickey Rooney plays a genuinely creepy clown. A mildly happy ending is almost coincidental and anti-climactic.
The movie is easier to admire than like, which may be why it ended up on several critics' end of the year "10 best" lists, and was picked by the late Gene Siskel as the best film of 1998. The visuals are wonderfully imaginative. The city is a miracle of production design, brilliantly conceived. There are special effects of breathtaking skill and small moments of genuine charm. Babe and some of his new friends are adorably endearing. Older kids and teens who are not too embarrassed may appreciate the film's artistry. But younger children should stick with the original.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about tolerance and accepting others.
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 25, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : May 4, 1999
- Cast : Elizabeth Daily , James Cromwell , Mickey Rooney
- Director : George Miller
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Animals
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate