I was not keen on this movie, as I started watching with a 3-year-old. Too complex, lots of death (including a mother bear, whose baby has to come to terms with her death in one scene) in early stages, and lots of silliness that make light of a sad underlying story - too long before you get to the message.
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Brother Bear
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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 3, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Lackluster story only for kindergarteners.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 5 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Brother Bear
Parents need to know that the movie has some tense scenes of peril, and two characters are killed. Some children may be disturbed by the way that those characters return as spirits, but some may be reassured that love never dies. There is a little potty humor. The movie's multicultural range of voices and setting in pre-historic Inuit culture add a lot to the movie's texture.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about which totems they would like to pick for themselves and what animals they would most like to get a chance to be. What did Kenai learn as a bear that he could not learn as a human? There is an old Native American saying that you should not judge another person until you have walked a mile in his moccasins. How does this movie make handle that idea? What do you think about his decision at the end of the movie? Talk about the movie's perspective on what you do to make amends when you have done something terrible, and about how siblings should support each other. Be sure that children notice how the look of the movie changes when Kenai becomes a bear. As Kenai sees through a bear's eyes, we see through his, the entire shape of the screen changing and the colors brightening. As Kenai also learns to listen, the sound of the movie becomes fuller as well.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 3 and give it
Complex, death-driven yet silly humour
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
You Can Easily Skip This Disney Film...
My 6 and 4 year old kids like this movie, but I really don't care for it. There is the death of the mother bear and brother that some parents might not like their little ones to see. But what I really didn't care for was the nasty attitude and horrible outlook that Keeni had through half the movie was a downer, then a couple of rams got on this back and forth "SHUT UP!" kick that was way too long and unnecessary. My kids think it's funny, but that language is not allowed in our home. Koda, the group of bears at the river and the two moose are the only breath of fresh air I got throughout the movie. Disney tried, but I think they missed the mark on this one.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Brother Bear
I saw this movie. I like it. Kendi have to tell Koda what happed to his mom.
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
UGG!
Ok this movie has no sexual content but it has a horrible message. i really did not like it at all.
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Good film for kids
I saw this movie back when I was in 2nd grade. It's okay, but I wouldn't say it was the best. Kids may feel a little sad or even frightened when one person is killed and when Koda's mother is killed by a hunter. You may need to explain to your child what happened and why. I would give it more than two stars, because it does deserve more. I don't think only kindergartners would enjoy it. I enjoyed it myself when I was in 2nd grade! Kids will find it interesting, but then again, it depends on your child.
- 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 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Heavy matters
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
GrEaT!!!
I loved this show! It is great for little kids and I LoVeD it to!!! It is Funny and Sad. It has a really good point to it!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- 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 5 and give it
Whole family loved it!
When Brother Bear first came out in the theaters, I took my two sons, ages 12 and 6 to see it. We all were laughing through almost the whole movie...if it wasn't something the two bears were doing, it was at the moose. We enjoyed the movie so much that the following week, we took my friend and her daughter, age 11 to see it also. They enjoyed it just as much. I would wholeheartedly suggest this movie to anyone who would like to have an enjoyable evening with their family.
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
My 5 year old barely remembers it....
He thought it was fun at the time, but then had no interest in talking about it later. Had no memory of the characters and turned down an offer from Uncle to see it again.
Not worth the time....
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
How do you explain revenge to a toddler?
Very delightful--my toddler loved the bears and the magical parts. He also has a brother and liked the 'brother' roughhousing. One part that bothered me was how to explain the concept of revenge to my toddler. He kept talking about the mean bear and even yelled "Get Him" when the middle brother tried to kill the bear. Yikes. But, I decided that it was probably not a concept my toddler would get, although it would offer a great chance to discuss this issue with an older child--to help them see that there are always 2 sides to every situation. So--while the little ones will love this movie because of all the fun animal parts--my best suggestion is to downplay the violent side by pulling out the lollipop at that point. :)
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
Brother Bear is a nice movie for small children. My 6 year old found it a little scary because the early scenes show a young man being killed by a bear and a bear being killed by a young man. Eventually, the young man discovers that he has killed a mother bear and befriends her small cub. The overall message is one of love, tolerance and understanding.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
innocent fun
I didn't like the very beginning where a bear dies and a man dies but if these events didn't occur there wouldn't be a movie. I really like the animals talking and showing how friendships can occur with the most diversified backgrounds. The humor used in the film was very innocent and funny. My children are 10 and 12 and really enjoyed it.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 33% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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