Tools for this page
Print

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

  • 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 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Adventurous animal tale will have kids riveted.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Kids will learn worthwhile lessons about sticking together in the face of adversity.
  • Messages:

    The story teaches the importance of family, teamwork, loyalty, and perserverance.
  • Role models:

    The animals are brave and often resourceful; they care strongly about each other and their family and stick together even when things get hard.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A fight, but no injuries are incurred. Family pets are lost, but eventually they find their way home.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Parents need to know that this uplifting, heartwarming adventure has strong messages about family and perseverance, as well as a few tense/scary moments when the animals are in peril. While kids under 5 will enjoy the animals, they probably won't follow the story. And older tweens may find it too juvenile, despite the abundance of attitude and irreverent humor. But those in the 5-8 age bracket will fall in love with the characters and get the humor -- this film is aimed at them.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what kids should do if they get separated from their parents.
  • How did Shadow, Chance, and Sassy cope with their fear of being alone?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    GREAT MOVIE

    The incredible journey is certaintly incredible!!!!!!! There is lots of adventure,peril,and mild vilonce in this movie but nothing a six year old can't handle. A good movie in my opinion i recomend it to ALL kids 6 and UP!

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Nice family movie

    I loved this movie since I was 3!

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  5. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    good movie

    i just saw this so when i saw it i thought it was pretty good.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    Good movie, and very sad.

    I actually still watch this movie sometimes. It's sad, heartwarming, funny, and touching. Parents, there's nothing to worry about; no bad language, no smoking, not really anything that will concern you. But, you must know your child well, because this movie can make them cry and/or become frightened. You see, I even felt a little sad watching this movie. One dog, Shadow, becomes hurt and the cat, Sassy, and the other dog find Shadow in a ditch lying in the ground, hurt and dirty. He's weak and he's trying to make it back up to his friends, but keeps falling. Then, he says that he can't go on with the two. It's a sad scene. There are more scenes like this, and your kid(s) may become sad.

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    This used to be my favorite!

    This movie was sad, funny and touching. It was filmed with very cute pets with loving personalities. 8+

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Funny.

    I love animals, and this movie made me smile. The animals are cute, and the voice characters are perfect at capturing their personalities. Reccomended.

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    REALLY GOOD MOVIE!!!

    I love animals and I cried.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    really good movie!!!

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    HOW CAN YOU CALL THIS A HAPPY KIDS MOVIE!!!????

    The movie is good , nice , the book is better. BUT THIS ISN"T a good kids movie if they are sensitive to animals like me , they'll be in tears. I speak of experience watching the show on disney channel when I was like , 5. Yeah , who cares if it has a happy ending if the cat almost got killed by getting run over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would say pause , 11 plus.

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Amazing Movie

    Hilarious mixed with drama...it mixes in perfectly. A movie for the entire family.

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    Fun for the WHOLE Family!

    I am 24 years old and not even a parent. I was a child when this movie initially came out and I watched it again today. This movie is FANTASTIC! Laugh-out-loud funny, appropriate for all ages! This movie is not specifically geared for kids, it's not boring, dumbed-down or slow. Wonderful movie. Made me miss my long gone pets. :( :)

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    The best movie for kids who like pets with adventure!!

    I loved how Homeward Bound mixes funny, happy, and adventure with a little sadness and grief. But the best thing was deffenetly the comedy.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    For young kids

    I'm 11, so it's to young for me now. But it was a good kids movie. A must-see for 4-10 year olds. But be warned, there is a bit of bloodless violence.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

    Learn the basics with our latest video.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name