Common Sense Media Review
Terrific story of women's baseball has great messages.
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A League of Their Own
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Based on 76 kid reviews
Kids say the movie offers an inspiring portrayal of women's baseball during WWII, highlighting the empowerment of female athletes alongside some adult themes like language and drinking. Many reviewers appreciated the historical context, strong performances, and heartwarming messages about pursuing dreams and female camaraderie, making it a fun yet educational choice for older kids and families.
- inspiring portrayal
- female empowerment
- adult themes
- historical context
- strong performances
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in the 1940s, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN focuses on the exceptional circumstances surrounding the All-American Girls League. As in most baseball movies, the film follows the skills and friendships that develop among the Peaches, but in this case viewers also learn of the unique difficulties for a women's league in the midst of pre-feminist America. With guidance from their somewhat unstable and reluctant manager (Tom Hanks), Dottie (Geena Davis), Kit (Lori Petty), Doris (Rosie O'Donnell), Mae (Madonna), Marla (Megan Cavanagh), and the rest of the team face tough training sessions, mocking spectators, and other challenges as they try to win fans and beat opposing teams at a time when women were supposed to look pretty and bake cakes. And just when they achieve success on the playing field, the war ends, the male baseball players return home to the U.S., and the Peaches are abruptly abandoned by management and fans alike.
Is It Any Good?
Everyone loves a good story about the teamwork and triumph at the heart of America's favorite pastime, and this film adds the twist of women struggling to prove themselves as athletes in the 1940s. There are many funny and poignant moments, and the Peaches are an interesting bunch from various backgrounds (including Rosie O'Donnell as an outspoken former bouncer and Madonna as a sultry taxi dancer). Tom Hanks is hilarious as manager Jimmy Dugan, and this is some of the richest character work he's done to date.
Tweens will probably enjoy A League of Their Own, though they may lose interest during the maudlin epilogue that's set 40 years later, when the AAGPBL is finally recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about women's role (or lack thereof) in most professional sports -- and their role in A League of Their Own. Do you think women could compete equally on men's teams? Why or why not?
To keep the game popular with fans, the players flaunted their femininity. Do you think this was all in good fun, a sign of the times, or somewhat demeaning?
How do the characters in A League of Their Own demonstrate compassion and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Which characters are role models? Why?
Why are underdog movies so popular? Name some other movies that feature losing teams that learn to work together and succeed. What qualities allow underdogs to win?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 1, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : June 4, 2002
- Cast : Geena Davis , Madonna , Tom Hanks
- Director : Penny Marshall
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Teamwork
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild profanity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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