• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

• Is it any good?

  5.0

• Common Sense says

  First Potter movie is a big-budget magical ride.

Why We Rated This for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

• Messages:

  Diverse cast and strong female characters, but all major characters are white. Positive message about the power of love and friendship.

What to watch out for

• Violence & scariness :

  Kids are in peril often, but at the hand of fantasy creatures most of the time. A three-headed dog chases Harry and friends. Harry and Draco see a dead and bloody unicorn and are chased by a hooded figure in the Forbidden Forest. Harry and friends fight a troll and knock it unconscious, are nearly crushed by a constricting plant, are chased by flying keys, and pummeled by a life-sized chess board. One character dies by turning to dust. Mostly friendly ghosts roam the halls; the ghost Nearly Headless Nick shows how he got the name. Flashback to the (bloodless) death of Harry's parents and much discussion about how they died and the one who killed them.
• Sexy stuff :

  Not an issue.
• Language:

  Not an issue.
• Consumerism:

  While the candy mentioned wasn't originally real, it is now: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Jelly Slugs, and more. And then there are the action figures, Lego playsets, wands, Band Aids... you name it.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Families Can Talk About