Common Sense Media Review
Family favorite features strong environmental message.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say this movie delivers valuable messages about environmental conservation amidst vibrant animation, humor, and music, making it accessible for families, though some children may find certain scary scenes intense. While many viewers cherish it for its nostalgic value and educational themes, others highlight its potentially frightening content, suggesting it may not be suitable for sensitive younger audiences.
- vibrant animation
- environmental themes
- nostalgic value
- intense scenes
- suitable for families
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 15 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST, an evil and destructive spirit named Hexxus (voice of Tim Curry) is imprisoned in a tree by Magi, the leader of the fairies, who believes that all humans have been destroyed. Many years later, as Magi is teaching Crysta, her apprentice (voice of Samantha Mathis), they find that the humans have returned, and are cutting down all the trees. Crysta shrinks one of the humans, a young man named Zak, to save him from being hit by a falling tree, and teaches him about the importance of preserving the forest.
Is It Any Good?
This movie features an all-star cast and some top-notch animation. Highlights of FernGully: The Last Rainforest include Robin Williams voicing the aptly named "Batty Koda" and gravel-voiced rapper Ton Loc as a Goanna lizard singing "If I'm Goanna Eat Somebody, It Might as Well Be You."
There are some very scary moments, and the magic characters may distract kids from the lesson about environmental conservation, but it does provide a good opportunity for discussions that may help increase sensitivity to environmental concerns.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ferngully: The Last Rainforest illustrates the importance of conserving the Earth's natural resources, and research the role that trees, and other plants, play in the environment.
How do you feel about movies that have a strong message? Does it distract from or enhance the entertainment value?
Can you imagine this movie as a live-action film? Who would play the various roles?
How do the characters in Ferngully: The Last Rainforest demonstrate compassion, curiosity, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 10, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : February 19, 2002
- Cast : Christian Slater , Robin Williams , Tim Curry
- Director : Bill Kroyer
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity
- Run time : 75 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