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Night at the Museum

  • 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?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stiller dodges CGI creations in cute adventure.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Kids will pick up a few bits and pieces about historical characters and eras -- though much of it isn't exactly textbook accurate.
  • Messages:

    Amid the potty humor and fast-paced antics is a message about going after your dreams -- Larry tries to inspire his son to pursue his dreams, and Larry eventually learns to try harder for what he wants, too.  Larry and his son have an uneven relationship, but it's clear that Larry means well and is ultimately a good dad.
  • Role models:

    Larry begins the movie as a fairly iffy role model -- he can't seem to hold a job, and his ex-wife laments his lack of focus and stability -- but over the course of the film, he learns some important things about himself and others. It's very clear that the "bad guys" have done something wrong, and justice eventually prevails.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Lots of comic crashes and falls. Repeated scenes in which soldiers and other warriors fight (shooting, explosions, fighting, swords), though none of these encounters leads to visible/lasting injuries (some charring following explosions). A little truck carrying two characters crashes and disappears in smoke and a teeny fire. Some scary moments, as when the dinosaur skeleton and Attila the Hun chase Larry. Larry and a monkey fight repeatedly: The monkey steals keys, pees on Larry, slaps Larry (who slaps back), etc. Characters with a bad motive kick and flip Larry.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Mild flirting between Larry and Rebecca; Teddy Roosevelt admires Sacajawea through his binoculars (prompting Larry to ask, "Are you checking her out?").
  • Language:

    "Oh my god," "for god's sake," "don't be a kiss-ass," "screwed up." Gus calls Larry names ("weirdy," "cupcake," "hopscotch"); Jed calls him "gigantor," and they discuss name-calling.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Night at the Museum

Parents need to know that kids will definitely want to see this much-hyped, effects-heavy adventure. The effects are good (the dinosaur skeleton is especially fun), but the plot is uneven and the action hectic, with some point-of-view camerawork that could potentially startle younger viewers. The movie features spastic, cartoonish violence by the museum exhibits that come to life. This includes shooting (Civil War soldiers), explosions (miniature cowboys and miners), poison dart-shooting (miniature Mayans), chasing and hunting (dinosaur skeleton, lions), fighting, and car-crashing. Weapons include arrows, swords, guns, catapults, spears, axes. There's a repeated joke about Attila the Hun's preference for ripping off victims' limbs. Larry has an antagonistic relationship with a monkey and repeatedly disappoints his son (who acts sad) -- until the end, when he's impressed by his father's quick decision-making.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the message behind all of the fancy effects. Why is it the important to pursue your dreams -- and to learn, read books, and discuss ideas as you do so?
  • How is Larry inspired by his new friends to go after his dreams?
  • Does Larry's relationship with his son seem realistic to you? Who seems more grown-up of the two? Does that change over the course of the movie?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this movie is

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See all 143 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    funny

    funny

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

    Great for older kids, and even some 4 or 5 yr olds

    My 4 1/2 daughter really loved this movie and has watched it many times but I'm sure she doesn't get all of it. But she doesn't find any of the parts she doesn't get overly scary or disturbing and there's lots she finds funny.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

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

    BAD AND BORING

    This movie was very BORING!!!!! DO NOT WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    A really smart Movie

    I really loved this movie i think that the idea the that museum coming to life seems really cool. for my end of the year field trip we saw the secend

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    great comedy

    great comedy for all ages makes u laugh hard and has great role models and messages. also teaches a little of history

  6. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

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

    A pretty funny movie!!!

    This movie is a pretty funny movie. There is comic action,and brief language. There are mostly insults,but there is only one bad word in this movie. This movie is appropriate for all kids ages 7-8+. I recommend this movie to kids who like family comedies, history movies, and Ben Stiller and his funny movies.

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    I love it so much!

    Loved it! :)

  8. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    I did not at all approve of the main character slapping the monkey.

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    It's OK.

    I liked it OK. Some scenes are funny and the funniest scene is when the monkey pees on the man who works at the museum

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Fun Kiddie Comedy

    A funny kids comedy. Contains frequent comic violence; there's only blood in one scene, where Larry Daley gets smacked by the old night guards (there's a brief open cut on his cheek). The worst bad language there is is when Larry says "Kiss A**". Overall, a fun film that kids will love, and adults can tolerate. I give at 4 out of five.

  11. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Very good movie

    I thought it was great. Lot's of historical figures you can use as a teaching opportunity

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    Goofy film only okay.

    This film is okay for kids. It has its funny moments, but not the best comedy.

  13. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    My son really loved this movie. We saw it on DVD... I think that it would have been much scarier if we would have seen it in the movie theatres though.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

  15. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  16. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    Good fun.

  17. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Night at the museum battle of the smithsonian

    the movie was awesome.

  18. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    good review

    I thought it was a good movie for my 6 year old child.

  19. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    i love this movie

    i love this movie one of my fav movies

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Could appreciate and handle better at 7 or 8 yrs old

    Good movie. My sensitive 6 yr old ran out of the room when there was a lot of tension (this is always our main problem... tension, dramatic music) but laughed hard at a few parts. Lots of aggression and some violence, but that led to a good talk after about historical violence and aggression in general. We always talk during the movie when characters handle things well ("you hurt my feelings!") and when they don't. The problem was also that I don't think they really enjoyed it very much - they were serious while watching, like it was something to get thru. I think watching at 7 or 8 yrs old would have been better for us.

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