love it. best to watch the scary scenes on mute the first time for the younger crowd. and i think that there are some scary parts in the movie, especially in the second half, says n. and snape is very snape-ish, says m. we really imagined snape like this.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
First Potter movie is a big-budget magical ride.
Themes in this movie include: friendship, growing up, loss
updated 09.28.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
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
This review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this first movie in the Harry Potter series has some intense and scary moments. Harry Potter and friends -- who are only 11 years old here -- are in peril and get hurt, but not seriously, and most of the scares come from fantasy creatures. There's a flashback to the (bloodless) death of Harry's parents and discussion about how they died and the one who killed them.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the Harry Potter series. Do you like the books or movies better?
- What themes from the first in the series pop up again in later installments?
- What do you think about Harry and his friends going away to school? Would you ever want to do something like that?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
What’s the Story?
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is an orphan who lives with the odious Dursleys, his aunt, uncle, and cousin. On his 11th birthday, Harry receives a mysterious letter, but his uncle destroys it before he can read it. Letters keep coming, and the Dursleys panic and hide away on a remote island. But they're found by Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), a huge, bearded man with a weakness for scary-looking creatures. It turns out that the letters were coming from Hogwarts, a boarding school for young witches and wizards, and Harry is expected for the fall term, so Hagrid whisks him off to begin his new life as a wizard in training. On the train to Hogwarts, Harry meets his future best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). When school begins, things really get exciting, with classes in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, a sport called Quidditch (a sort of flying soccer/basketball), a mysterious trap door guarded by a three-headed dog named Fluffy, and a baby dragon named Norbert. Throughout the year, Harry adjusts to his magical life and begins to come to grips with his famous status in the wizarding world and what he represents to the darker forces there. He also learns some important lessons about loyalty and courage.
Is It Any Good?
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE is filled with visual splendor, valiant heroes, spectacular special effects, and irresistible characters. It's only fair to say that it's truly magical. The settings manage to be sensationally imaginative and yet at the same time so clearly believable and lived-in that you'll think you could find them yourself, if you could just get to Track 9 3/4. The adult actors are simply and completely perfect. Richard Harris turns in his all-time best performance as headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Maggie Smith (whose on-screen teaching roles extend from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to Sister Act) brings just the right tone of dry asperity to Professor McGonagall, and Robbie Coltrane is a half-giant with a heart to match as Hagrid. Alan Rickman provides shivers as potions master Professor Snape, and the brief glimpse of Julie Walters (an Oscar nominee for Billy Elliott) will make you glad you'll be seeing more of her in future movies. The kids are all just fine, though mostly just called upon to look either astonished or resolute.
A terrific book and a terrific movie. Every family should enjoy them both.
Movie Details
Studio: Fine Line Features, Director: Chris Columbus
Run time: 152 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/16/2001, DVD release: 5/28/2002
MPAA Rating: PG for some scary moments and mild language
Run time: 152 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/16/2001, DVD release: 5/28/2002
MPAA Rating: PG for some scary moments and mild language
Our Members Say
See all 78 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Good for 9 and up only because of some violence and scary scenes.
This is the BEST MOVIE EVER, but there is some bad stuff. First, there's a fair amount of swearing, and then there's the violence: players are roughed around on the Quidditch field, a unicorn has blood sucked from its neck, and Quirrel turns into stone and breaks into pieces. Also, some parents might object to the witchcraft content. There's also some very scary and intensely dark scenes. Otherwise, it's a good movie.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
perfect 4 every1
i am a giant potter fan and if u havnt read the books...... well, thats just sad. these r the greatest books of the last centry or however long people hav been on the earth. barly violent and would reccomend 2 anyone but the other movies might be kinda bad 4 the real young kids. but u should soo read it!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
One or two concerns, but that doesn't take away from the rest of the movie.
There is one instance (Draco talking to Harry about Neville during the flying lesson) where there is a slight language concern. And with this series, there is and will be violence, because they are in a war. When this movie first came out (I was in the 1st or 2nd grade) the forest scene with Voldemort in the cloak scared me a little, but this is the movie that really started me reading. I would suggest this movie to anyone and everyone who asked.
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Good but not for all kids this age.
My son won't watch Harry Potter mostly because it is not animated. The movie certainly doesn't appeal to MY 8 year old though I have seen some to which it does appeal. My only concern, having seen them all at least once, is the slight amount of violence in each title. This is one of those titles that depends on the child.
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
great film
The film based on the book is very good. Although i do think it is a bit much for 7 year old.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
LOVE IT
I am 8. And I lovedthe movie
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Not bad, but read the BOOK first!
I liked the movie ok (and my 5 and 7 year old loved it) however the book is just SOOOOOO much better. I'd recommend reading the book first and THEN watching the movie
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
educational
im a wizard so this was very educational. I learned how to be a eleven year old dilinquet! yip yee!!!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Harry Potter beginers
this movie of Harry Potter wasnt my favorite my favorites are 4, and 6. But still if your child is 8 years old and they havent scene any harry otter movies but would like to this is the perfect place to start! This movie was especially made for Harry Potter beiners! with less vilonce, romance and all the stuff u might be worried abouut your younger ones seeing.
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I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Rare...parent with young kids who love this movie
I am one of the rare parents who allow my 4 and 6 year old kids to watch this and the first Harry Potter movies. The movies after these too are just WAY too intense for my kids and won't allow them to watch them until they are MUCH older. Socerer's Stone is one of the two I don't mind them watching. Yes, there are parts that parents should definitely talk to their kids about (death of Harry's parents, unicorn death, Voldemort's possession of Quirrel, Quirrel's death). Those parts and a few others our 4 year old still wants to have clarified when he watches. But he is obsessed with this movie! He and our daughter love the fantasy and magic of it all. I have made HUGE deal about all of it being pretend, just a story. My kids have embraced that and are able to enjoy movies like this without negative repercussions. I particularly like the fact that my 6 year old can see how strong and smart a girl Hermoine is compared to all the other characters. Again, I am the rare parent who knows what my children are able to deal with and understand. Parents...watch it first and decide for yourself!!!
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I rate this title off for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
A GREAT MOVIE!
this a great movie!!!!!! there is some peril that will be to scary for young kids.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
Great for getting my child to be interested in reading
I love that my daughter is crazy over Harry Potter and I give this movie all the credit for her reading level jumping from remedial to advanced last year. After seeing the movie, she was determined to read the book on her own and then started reading the second one. I love the messages of loyal friendship in this movie.
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I rate this title off for age 6 and give it
great movie
another great film staring my favorite actor Daniel Radcliffe. but not for kids under the age of 7.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Great
It was a great movie and a little violent. It isn't educational unless you're a wizard. I would'nt say it had good role models because the kids are constantly breaking roles and getting in trouble. Morale: Never trust people wearing turbans!
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
inappropriate for most
While many fantasy movies contain magic elements this one is nowhere close to the clear morality or dominion established in the works of Tolkien. The harry potter series is inappropriate for minors who are not already WELL formed morally. The harry potter series presents a host of logical contradictions, and most troubling endorses subjective morality. While I found the movies entertaining they were also irksome on too many points to allow my children to watch them or read the books.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
AN AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this Movie!! Just like the book, it was a little boring, but it it awesome!! The only scary scene (For some kids 7 and under.) was when Harry was confronted by Quirrel/Voldemort. Flying keys are NOT scary!! The unicorn scene was not very violent either. I would recomend this movie to kids 7+.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
This was the best movie ever and I got it for free on http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=1011526
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
This true kid classic is just as fun for the adults!
Brilliant.... incredible... having never seen these movie before i was blown away when i watched all 6 in 6 days in a row... Some incredble movies... But has some iffy stuff that would giv kids night mare so best for 10+
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Ratings at a Glance
| 54% | of parents say it's too violent |
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For Your Family
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