Common Sense Media Review
By Jill Murphy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet Dahl book adaptation has big heart, big scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The BFG
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 34 parent reviews
Based on 47 kid reviews
Kids say this film offers a mix of charm and creepiness, with many parents noting that while it conveys positive messages and humor, it also contains scenes that may be frightening or confusing for younger viewers. Though some found it boring and slow-paced, others praised the animation and the adaptation of the beloved book, making it a worthwhile family film with a whimsical yet sometimes dark undertone.
- captivating visuals
- positive messages
- thrilling yet scary
- slow pacing
- family-friendly humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE BFG, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), a young orphan with insomnia, spends her evenings either walking the halls of the orphanage or reading books well into the wee hours of the night. On one of these restless nights, she finds herself face-to-face with "the boogie monster." He kidnaps her and takes her to live on Giant Island; as a result, Sophie spends the beginning of the movie terrified and angry -- she's scared of being eaten and then angry when she learns she's expected to live on Giant Island for the rest of her life. But gradually Sophie and the "monster" get to know each other, and Sophie learns that he's actually a Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance), who walks the streets at night placing good dreams into children's rooms. As their friendship unfolds, the BFG shows caring and kindness toward Sophie -- and they work together to try to rid Giant Island of the rest of its scary, bullying residents, all of whom are eager to eat the "bean" (aka "child") that the BFG brought home with him. Sophie and the BFG power through dangerous encounters, terrifying close calls, and sheer hilarity as they discover a deep and truly unique friendship.
Is It Any Good?
The magic, fantasy, and eventual pure sweetness between the two central characters is nothing short of heartwarming. The BFG has many opportunities to highlight what being a good friend is all about -- and what it means to have strong values. Sophie, a wise-beyond-her-years orphan, is played incredibly well by Barnhill. She's fully developed as a character, but her maturity is lovingly balanced with her regular, child-like ways. This is a welcome change, since "mature kids" in movies and TV shows can often seem sassy and unrelatable.
The visuals live up to director Steven Spielberg's reputation; as always, he has a knack for bringing fantastical elements and creatures into everyday life. As for the BFG himself, Rylance will win audiences over from his first (of many) teary-eyed smile. His giant warmth and compassion, his bumbling language and missteps, and his grit and determination will leave every kid -- and parent -- wanting a BFG of their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Sophie such a strong character in The BFG. Do you think she's a good role model? Why? Can you think of other movies featuring strong female characters?
What was the scariest part of the movie? Did the scary parts make the movie sadder or more fun? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
What did this movie teach you about friendship? What specific things happened that were examples of empathy, courage, and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?
Why do you think the BFG didn't eat "beans" like the other giants? In what other ways is he different from the other giants?
Kids: If you read the book, how do you think the movie compares? Were there scenes in the movie that looked different in your mind? Do you like reading a book before it gets made into a movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 1, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2016
- Cast : Rebecca Hall , Mark Rylance , Jemaine Clement , Ruby Barnhill
- Director : Steven Spielberg
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action/peril, some scary moments and brief rude humor
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- 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